Meiofaunal response to the tidal exchange and domestic sewage in the Adyar estuary, Chennai, India

Abstract

Maximum and minimum diversity recorded was 27 species and 16 species, respectively while density was (2093.33±141.12 Ind. /10 cm²) and (140.61±20.8 Ind. /10 cm²), respectively. ANOVA of the density of meiofaunal taxa showed significant difference between seasons at <i>p=</i> 0.05 level. Higher percentage composition of rotifers (54.9%), nematodes (19.72%) and oligochaetes (12.82%) were recorded. Correlation coefficients of meiofaunal density also showed significant difference with physicochemical parameters. Tidal exchange of seawater which depended on sand bar formation in mouth of the estuary and the quantum of domestic sewage released highly influenzed the pollution status of eatuary. Depending on these factors and seasonal variations in the physicochemical parameters the meiofaunal populations showed different responses in their diversity and density. The results indicated highly polluted state of the estuary during the study period.