Assessment of estuarine macrobenthic assemblages and ecological quality status at a dredging site in a southern Europe estuary

摘要: Abstract The Water Framework Directive (WFD) strengthened the need for protection and enhancement of Ecological Quality Status (EQS) in water bodies EU Member States. However, terms EQS assessment, there is a lack detailed studies that assess consequences dredging, especially concerning macrobenthic communities. Therefore, main objective this study was to evaluate as important WFD, based on diversity ecological quality indices after dredging activity. Data collected Mondego estuary, Portugal, between October 2007 November 2008, within around area be dredged (3 ha): one occasion ten sampling dates along year. Physical–chemical changes were examined. relative performance Margalef, Shannon–Wienner, AMBI–AZTI Marine Biotic Index multimetric BAT –Benthic Assessment Tool (BAT) analyzed before dredging. In first days, increased share fine coarse sand sediment had changed TSS, POM SOM, affecting macrofauna assemblages. Two months number taxa, density, showed similar values pre-dredging conditions year later species density almost duplicated. composition structure still significantly different relation biomass did not return original values. Nevertheless, sensitive occurred area, showing system recovered year, EQS. present work reinforced robustness an accurate assessment tool.