Effects of environmental variables on Oligochaeta (Annelida) assemblages in Çardak Lagoon (Turkish Straits System)
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the abundance of the Oligochaeta assemblages in Çardak Lagoon, an area impacted by domestic pollutants. A total of 3 oligochaeta species [(Thalassodrilides gurwitschi (Hrabĕ, 1971), Thalassodrilides sp., and Oligochaeta sp.] were recorded. The peak abundance periods for these communities were determined to be spring and summer. Analysis of the environmental variables across the sampling seasons revealed that the anionic detergent level in the water and the percentage of gravel in the sediment exhibited the highest correlation with overall oligochaete abundance. At the sampling points, the maximum correlation value was recorded specifically between the percentage of organic matter (OM%) in the sediment and the abundance of Thalassodrilides gurwitschi.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Project Number
Ethical Statement
References
- Abubakr, A., Gojar, A.A., Balkhi, M.H. & Malik, R. (2018). Macro-invertebrates (Annelida; Oligochaeta) as a bio-indicator of water quality under temperate climatic conditions. Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Biosciences, 6(1), 726–737. https://doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.5903
- Allen, J.R.L. (1997). Subfossil mammalian tracks (Flandrian) in the Severn Estuary. S.W. Britain: mechanics of formation, preservation and distribution, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London B., 352, 481–518. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1997.0035
- Behrend, R.D.L., Takeda, A.M., Gomes, L.C. & Fernandes, S.E.P. (2012). Using oligochaeta assemblages as an indicator of environmental changes. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 72(4), 873–884. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-69842012000500014
- Brinkhurst, R.O. & Jamieson, B.G.M. (1971). Aquatic Oligochaeta of the World, Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh.
- Brinkhurst, R.O. (1980). Taxonomy, pollution and the sludge worm. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 11(9), 248–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-326X(80)90311-2
- Brinkhurst, R.O. (1982). British and Other Marine and Estuarine Oligochaetes. Synopses of the British Fauna, 21, 1–127.
- Casellato, S. (1994). Oligochaete fauna of estuarine areas and lagoons on the northern Adriatic coast (Italy). Bollettino Della Società Zoologica Italiana, 61, 261–269. https://doi.org/10.1080/11250009409355893
- Chapman, P. M., Farrel, M.A. & Brinkhurst, R.O. (1982). Relative tolerances of selected aquatic oligochaetes to individual pollutant and environmental factors. Aquatic Toxicology, 2, 47–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-445X(82)90005-4
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Water Quality and Water Pollution
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
A. Suat Ateş
*
0000-0002-4682-1926
Türkiye
Ertan Dağlı
0000-0001-6579-505X
Türkiye
Seçil Acar
0000-0002-6426-8095
Türkiye
Early Pub Date
March 27, 2026
Publication Date
March 27, 2026
Submission Date
November 13, 2025
Acceptance Date
February 2, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 1970 Volume: 9 Number: 2