title: Macrofaunal recolonization of copper-contaminated sediments in San Diego Bay.
abstract: Effects of Cu-loading on macrofaunal recolonization were examined in Shelter Island Yacht Basin (San Diego Bay, California). Sediments with high and low Cu levels were defaunated and Cu-spiked, translocated, and then placed back into the environment. These demonstrated that the alteration observed in benthic communities associated with Cu contamination occurs during initial recolonization. After a 3-month exposure to sediments with varying Cu levels, two primary colonizing communities were identified: (1) a "mouth assemblage" resembling adjacent background fauna associated with low-Cu levels that was more diverse and predominantly dominated by surface- and subsurface-deposit feeders, burrowers, and tube builders, and (2) a "head assemblage" resembling adjacent background fauna associated with high-Cu concentrations, with few dominant species and an increasing importance of carnivores and mobile epifauna. Cu loading can cause reduced biodiversity and lower structural complexity that may last several months if high concentrations persist, with a direct effect on community functioning.
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oceanography Division and Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093-0218, USA. Electronic address: cneira@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neira
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oceanography Division and Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093-0218, USA.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.affiliation: Geosciences Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093-0244, USA.
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porrachia
authors.affiliation: AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, San Diego, CA 92123, USA.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stransky
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oceanography Division and Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093-0218, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000502:physiology*; D061006:Bays; D044822:Biodiversity; D002140:California; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004777:Environment; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D062312:Islands; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper
keywords: California; Copper pollution; Macrofauna diversity; Recolonization; San Diego Bay; Sediment