Abstract
Here we explored the potential association of the benthic macrofauna species composition with aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals concentration detected in the sediments of the Yucatan continental Shelf (YCS), Mexico. The main objective was to provide insights on the temporal and spatial changes of such association in the function of the longitudinal and depth gradient. Benthic species composition, Al, Ni and Pb showed significant differences among YCS sub-regions (Western Caribbean, Mid-Yucatan and West Yucatan), and depth. Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons had similar concentration in all sub-regions. The species composition was significantly associated with the levels of aliphatic hydrocarbons in the shallow sites (15–50 m) of the YCS sub-regions. Our results provide the first insights into the presence and spatial trends of different concentration of non-point source hydrocarbons and metals along the YCS, essential to establish the current ecological condition and to set a reference condition to identify further changes.
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Acknowledgements
Funding for this research was provided by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) and Secretaría de Energía - Fondo Sectorial CONACYT-Secretaría de Energía-Hidrocarburos project 201441. This is a contribution of the Consorcio de Investigación del Golfo de México (CIGoM). Authors wish to thank V. Ceja Moreno for his contribution with the hydrocarbons and metals analyses.
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Pech, D., Arcega-Cabrera, F., Hernández-Avila, I. et al. Spatial Trends of the Potential Association Between Benthic Macrofauna and non-Source Point Sediment Pollutants in the Yucatán Continental Shelf. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 108, 9–14 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03182-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03182-y