Oligochaete Fauna of Western Lake Erie 1961 and 1982: Signs of Sediment Quality Recovery

摘要: The oligochaete fauna at 40 stations in western Lake Erie were collected 1982 and compared to similarly 1961. A total of 34 taxa, representing 18 Tubificidae 16 Naididae, identified. Changes the proportions low, moderate, heavy polluted sediments, as determined by ranges numbers oligochaetes, indicate that, general, pollution substantially decreased near shore moderate increased low open waters over 21-year comparison. most common taxon, eutrophic species, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, abundance water, indicating eutrophication, whereas distribution other indicator including species L. maumeensis, cervix, Quistadrilus multisetosus multisetosus, mesotrophic Ilyodrilus templetoni three Aulodrilus eutrophication water. In trophic indices (based on tubificid abundances) traditional area designations used 1961, nearshore designation (<3.5 km from shore), areas defined cluster analysis confirm results less substrates shore. However, indicates that was replaced zone least detectable It may be a stage transition between when sampled 1982. present study is valuable because it provides baseline assess environmental changes observed after many years abatement programs before exponential increase densities shifting zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha.