Temporal and spatial effects of environmental variables on crustacean communities in cardak Lagoon (Turkish Straits System) under the influence of domestic pollution

Abstract

This study presents the temporal and spatial effects of domestic pollution on crustacean assemblages in a protected area, cardak Lagoon (Turkish Straits System). The samplings were performed from sandy and mud (silt + clay) bottoms between 1 and 1.8 m depths in October 2018, February, April, and June 2019. A total of 6920 specimens and 26 species (1 Isopoda, 1 Tanaidacea, 2 Mysidacea, 3 Cumacea, 5 Decapoda, 14 Amphipoda) belonging to crustaceans was found. Highest crustacea abundances were in autumn and winter. Considering the environmental variables, NO2 + NO3 (mg L- 1) and COD (mg L- 1) levels in the water had the highest correlations with abundance for the sampling periods. According to sampling points, the highest correlation value was found between anionic detergent content in the water and the abundance. Crustacean community structure was modified by environmental variables of anthropogenic origin at a higher level. Oxygen, oxygen reduction potential, NO2 + NO3, total nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand and anionic surfactant levels in water and sediment sand content % were major environmental variables affecting the crustacean abundance in the study area temporally.