Observations on the benthic macrofauna of the soft sediment on western side of the Arabian Gulf (ROPME sea area) with respect to 1991 Gulf War oil spill

Abstract

More than 80 species of the benthic fauna were recorded in the soft sediment on the western side of the Arabian Gulf(from Kuwait to Qatar) during the R. V Mt. Mitchell cruise (23rd April-3rd May 1992). Molluscs formed the main component in species composition, followed by crustacea, polychaeta and echinodermata. Stations with coarse sediment substrates between coral reef grounds showed an increase in number of species than these with fine-mud and silt substrates. With regards to the impact of 1991 Gulf War oil spill on the benthic communities, the species diversity and the rank-abundance relationships reflected no harmful effect on the soft sediment communities.