A benthic survey of Aliwal Shoal and assessment of the effects of a wood pulp effluent on the reef.
Aliwal Shoal lies south of Durban in South Africa and has been the subject of recent bathymetric, seafloor and benthic surveys. ANOVA of the biological data revealed that the biota were uniformly distributed on the reef with the exception of encrusting sponges and algae on rock. The variations in distribution of these biota were significant and, in the case of the encrusting sponges, appeared to be related to the discharge of a wood pulp effluent. Further evidence of this was suggested by stable isotope analyses of representative organisms. The encrusting sponges were recommended as good candidates for further monitoring of the effects of the wood pulp effluent on Aliwal Shoal as the effluent pipeline has been extended.
Schleyer
Michael H
MH
Oceanographic Research Institute, P.O. Box 10712, Marine Parade, 4056 Durban, South Africa. schleyer@ori.org.za
Heikoop
Jeffrey M
JM
Risk
Michael J
MJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000145:classification; D005843:Geography; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000145:classification; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D011161:Porifera / Q000502:physiology; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis; D013019:South Africa; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D014934:Wood
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D014873:Water Pollutants