A Regional Analysis of Lake Acidification Trends for the Northeastern U.S., 1982-1994

Acidic deposition is a regional phenomenon, but its effects have traditionally been studied using site-specific, intensive monitoring. We present trends information for 36 lakes of high-to-moderate acid sensitivity (defined as acid neutralizing capacity [ANC] < 100 eq L-1), and 15 deposition monitoring stations, in the northeastern U.S. for the period 1982-1994. Trends at each site were assessed through use of the Seasonal Kendall tau test; the resulting statistics were combined, through a technique analogous to analysis of variance, to produce quasi-regional estimates of change for key chemical variables. Rates of sulfate deposition declined significantly across all of the northeastern region during this time period, while rates of nitrate and ammonium deposition were unchanged. All lakes exhibited strong decreases in sulfate concentrations in response to declining sulfate deposition, but there was a strong contrast in the response of acid/base status between lakes in New England and lakes in the Adirondacks. As a group, the New England lakes exhibited recovery (ANC = +0.8 eq L-1yr-1, p<0.001), while the Adirondack lakes exhibited either no trend or further acidification (as a group, ANC = -0.5 eq L-1yr-1, p<0.01). This contrast can be attributed to changes in base cation concentrations: New England lakes exhibited base cations declines that were smaller in magnitude than declines in sulfate, producing the observed recovery in ANC; Adirondack lakes showed base cation declines that were very similar to those of sulfate, and no recovery was evident.     

A Screening Procedure for Identifying Acid-Sensitive Lakes from Catchment Characteristics

Monitoring of Wilderness lakes for potential acidification requires information on lake sensitivity to acidification. Catchment properties can be used to estimate the acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of lakes. Conceptual and general linear models were developed to predict the ANC of lakes in high-elevation (2170 m) Wilderness Areas in Californias Sierra Nevada mountains. Catchment-to-lake area ratio, lake perimeter-to-area ratio, bedrock lithology, vegetation cover, and lake headwater location are significant variables explaining ANC. The general linear models were validated against independently collected water chemistry data and were used as part of a first stage screen to identify Wilderness lakes with low ANC. Expanded monitoring of atmospheric deposition is essential for improving the predictability of lake ANC.     

Chemistry of lakes in designated wilderness areas in the western United States

A synoptic survey of 719 lakes representing an estimated 10,393 lakes in mountainous areas of the western United States was conducted in autumn 1985. Nearly two-thirds of the study lakes were located in wilderness areas or national parks and were sampled by ground access. The results of a comparability study of 45 wilderness lakes accessed by helicopter and ground crews indicated that the data were generally indistinguishable, making it possible to use data from lakes sampled by ground crews without modification. Wilderness lakes had lower acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), base cations, sulfate, and dissolved organic carbon than nonwilderness lakes throughout the West. The highest estimated number (849) and percentage (42.1) of low ANC (50 eq L^-1) wilderness lakes were located in California; the lowest number (66) was located in the Southern Rockies. The Sierra Nevada contained an estimated 808 low ANC lakes, representing the largest subpopulation of low ANC lakes associated with an individual mountain range in the West. Wilderness lakes in selected geographic areas of the Rocky Mountains generally contained higher concentrations of major ions than lakes in the far West and the concentrations generally increased from the Northern to the Southern Rockies. Comparison of wilderness lakes in the West with lakes in the Adirondack Park, New York, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area/Voyagers National Park in Northeastern Minnesota showed that western lakes are highly sensitive resources that currently exhibit little evidence of anthropogenic acidification. Although wilderness lakes do not exhibit symptoms of chronic acidification, short-term depression of pH and ANC from snowmelt and thunderstorms occur and episodic acidification influenced by anthropogenic sources cannot be discounted on the basis of this survey.Contribution from Fourth World Wilderness Congress-Acid Rain Symposium, Denver (Estes Park), Colorado, September 11–18, 1987.     

Forest decline versus tree decline-the pathological considerations

It is important to recognize that our eastern United States forests are being exposed to phytotoxic doses of gaseous air pollutants. Regionally, ozone is recognized as the pollutant of concern. Acidic depositions have also been suggested as being directly pathogenic in causing observed forests declines. However, forest tree declines are not new to the forest pathology literature. Pathological, entomological, and abiotic stress causal complexes have satisfactorily explained declines of several major hardwood and conifer species. We, as forest biologists, must recognize that numerous biotic and abiotic agents can directly incite forest tree diseases without the need of predispositional stress as initiated by air pollutants.Contribution from Fourth World Wilderness Congress-Acid Rain Symposium, Denver (Estes Park), Colorado, September 11–18, 1987.     

Using Temporal Coherence to Determine the Response to Climate Change in Boreal Shield Lakes

Climate change is expected to have important impacts on aquatic ecosystems. On the Boreal Shield, mean annual air temperatures are expected to increase 2 to 4°C over the next 50 years. An important challenge is to predict how changes in climate and climate variability will impact natural systems so that sustainable management policies can be implemented. To predict responses to complex ecosystem changes associated with climate change, we used long-term biotic databases to evaluate how important elements of the biota in Boreal Shield lakes have responded to past fluctuations in climate. Our long-term records span a two decade period where there have been unusually cold years and unusually warm years. We used coherence analyses to test for regionally operating controls on climate, water temperature, pH, and plankton richness and abundance in three regions across Ontario: the Experimental Lakes Area, Sudbury, and Dorset. Inter-annual variation in air temperature was similar among regions, but there was a weak relationship among regions for precipitation. While air temperature was closely related to lake surface temperatures in each of the regions, there were weak relationships between lake surface temperature and richness or abundance of the plankton. However, inter-annual changes in lake chemistry (i.e., pH) were correlated with some biotic variables. In some lakes in Sudbury and Dorset, pH was dependent on extreme events. For example, El Nino related droughts resulted in acidification pulses in some lakes that influenced phytoplankton and zooplankton richness. These results suggest that there can be strong heterogeneity in lake ecosystem responses within and across regions.     

Assessing Potential for Recovery of Biotic Richness and Indicator Species due to Changes in Acidic Deposition and Lake ph in Five Areas of Southeastern Canada

Biological damage to sensitive aquatic ecosystems is among the most recognisable, deleterious effects of acidic deposition. We compiled a large spatial database of over 2000 waterbodies across southeastern Canada from various federal, provincial and academic sources. Data for zooplankton, fish, macroinvertebrate (benthos) and loon species richness and occurrence were used to construct statistical models for lakes with varying pH, dissolved organic carbon content and lake size. pH changes, as described and predicted using the Integrated Assessment Model (Lam et al., 1998; Jeffries et al., 2000), were based on the range of emission reductions set forth in the Canada/US Air Quality Agreement (AQA). The scenarios tested include 1983, 1990, 1994 and 2010 sulphate deposition levels. Biotic models were developed for five regions in southeastern Canada (Algoma, Muskoka, and Sudbury, Ontario, southcentral Québec, and Kejimkujik, Nova Scotia) using regression tree, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses to make predictions about recovery after emission reductions. The analyses produced different indicator species in different regions, although some species showed consistent trends across regions. Generally, the greatest predicted recovery occurred during the final phase of emission reductions between 1994 and 2010 across all taxonomic groups and regions. The Ontario regions, on average, were predicted to recover to a greater extent than either southcentral Québec or the Kejimkujik area of Nova Scotia. Our results reconfirm that pH 5.5–6.0 is an important threshold below which damage to aquatic biota will remain a major local and regional environmental problem. This damage to biodiversity across trophic levels will persist well into the future if no further reductions in sulphate deposition are implemented.     

Monitoring for 2,4-residues in fish species resident in treated lakes in east-central Ontario 1977–80

Authorized use of 2,4-D by cottage owners in Buckhorn Lake for the years 1977 to 1980 ranged from 124 to 280 kg of active ingredient, annually. This would give predicted average water concentrations of 2 to 4 g L^–1 during the June–July period. However, higher residues were observed in the Lake. Between 1977 and 1980, 353 individual fish, of eight species, were caught for analysis in Buckhorn and Chemong lakes. These fish belonged to eight edible species. Twelve percent of the fish caught during the pre-treatment period (i.e. May), had detectable residues of 2,4-D. Mean residues by species and year ranged from <5 to 30 g kg^–1 2,4-D. In the early post-treatment period (i.e. July), 69% of fish caught had mean residues by species which ranged from <5 to 136 g kg^–1 2,4-D. In the late post-treatment period (i.e. October), 19% of fish caught by year had detectable residues of 2,4-D. Mean residues by species during this period ranged from <5 to 60 g kg^–1 2,4-D. While 15 (i.e. 4%) of the 353 fish and fish composites had 2,4-D above the maximum residue limit of 100 g kg^–1 only six were of edible size.     

An overview of the acidification of lakes in Atlantic Canada

Analysis of water chemistry from a sample of lakes (1300) in Atlantic Canada has indicated that lakes in geologically sensitive portions of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland have been acidified due to the combined effects of natural organic acids and anthropogenically derived mineral acids. Principal component analysis of six measured variables (pH, Ca, Conductance, SO _inf4 ^sup* , Alkalinity, Colour) and one computed variable (Alk/Ca^*+Mg^*) for each province result in four components which retain at least 89% of the original variability. Cluster analysis of the four principal components resulted in 6 lake groups for New Brunswick and 8 groups for Nova Scotia and 7 groups for Newfoundland. Geographic ordination of these clusters indicates that there is good correspondence between cluster group and the underlying bedrock geology of the region.     

Plankton diversity and water quality assessment of three freshwater lakes of Mandi (Himachal Pradesh, India) with special reference to planktonic indicators

The present study deals with the limnobiotic status of three selected lakes of Himachal Pradesh using physicochemical and biological parameters (especially phytoplankton and zooplankton) over a period of 2 years. One hundred forty-eight species belonging to nine groups of phytoplankton and 79 species belonging to five groups of zooplankton were identified from the lakes. Trophic level and the pollution status of the lakes were assessed upon the basis of Shannon diversity index (H′), species richness index (S), and physicochemical parameters. Plankton population size was correlated with biotic and abiotic parameters (pH, alkalinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, transparency, phosphate, chloride, and nitrate). The present investigation revealed that the distribution of plankton species depended upon the physicochemical parameters of the environment. Based on water quality standards given by the Central Pollution Control Board, the water quality was between “A–B” at Prashar wetland, “C–D” at Kuntbhyog Lake, and “D–E” at Rewalsar Lake. The results from the present study indicated that the potential of planktons as bioindicators of trophic status is very high.     

Monitoring the results of Canada/U.S.A acid rain control programs: some lake responses

Aquatic acidification by deposition of airborne pollutants emerged as an environmental issue in southeastern Canada during the 1970s. Drawing information from the extensive research and monitoring programs, a sequence of issue assessments demonstrated the necessity of reducing the anthropogenic emissions of acidifying pollutants, particularly sulphur dioxide (SO₂). The 1991 Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement (AQA) was negotiated to reduce North American SO₂ emissions by 40% relative to 1980 levels by 2010, and at present, both countries have reduced emissions beyond their AQA commitment. In response to reduced SO₂ emissions, atmospheric deposition of sulphate (SO₄ ^2–) and SO₄ ^2– concentrations in many lakes have declined, particularly in south-central Ontario and southern Québec. Sulphate deposition still exceeds aquatic critical loads throughout southeastern Canada however. Increasing pH or alkalinity (commonly deemed recovery) has been observed in only some lakes. Several biogeochemical factors have intervened to modify the lake chemistry response to reduced SO₄ ^2– input, notably release of stored SO₄ ^2– from wetlands following periods of drought and reduction in the export of base cations from terrestrial soils. Three examples from Ontario are presented to illustrate these responses. Significant increases in pH and alkalinity have been observed in many lakes in the Sudbury area of Ontario due to the large reductions in local SO₂ emissions; early-stage biological recovery is evident in these lakes. An integrated assessment model predicts that AQA emission reductions will not be sufficient to promote widespread chemical or biological recovery of Canadian lakes. Monitoring and modeling are mutually supporting assessment activities and both must continue.     

Mercury, Methylmercury, and Selenium Concentrations in Eggs of Common Loons (Gavia immer) from Canada

Concentrations of Hg and Se were determined for a total of 125Common Loon (Gavia immer) eggs collected from lakes in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and NovaScotia, Canada between 1972 and 1997. Resulting data were compared to Hg and/or Se concentrations known or suspected tocause reproductive impairment in birds. Organic (methyl) Hg analyses were also performed on a subset of 24 loon eggs. Thirty-nine of 125 eggs had total Hg levels exceeding those (0.6 g g^-1 ww, or 2.5 g g^-1 dw)previously reported to be associated with reproductive impairment in common loons (Barr, 1986), and 9 of 125 eggshad Hg concentrations higher than the level associated withreproductive impairment in birds generally 1 g g^-1 ww; (Thompson, 1996). Selenium concentrations in loon egg samples were less than levels known to cause reproductiveimpairment in birds. A weak but significant positive correlation was observed between egg-Hg and -Se concentrations(r = 0.511, p < 0.05). On average, methylmercury accounted for about 87% of total Hg in 24 eggs analysed for both total and organic Hg. In this subset of eggs, the relationship between organic (methyl) Hg and Se was significant (r = 0.538, p = 0.007) while that found between inorganic Hg and Se in the same eggs was not significant (r = 0.353, p = 0.091). This relationship was unexpected and was contrary to relationships established for organic and inorganic Hg vs. Se in adult loon liver and kidney tissue (Scheuhammer et al., 1998b).     

CHANGES IN ACID PRECIPITATION-RELATED WATER CHEMISTRY OF LAKES FROM SOUTHWESTERN NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA, 1986–2001

Between 1986 and 2001, thirty-nine lakes in southwestern New Brunswick in Atlantic Canada were surveyed for acid precipitation-related water quality changes. Most of the study lakes are located on granite bedrock and represent the most acid sensitive lakes in the province. Between 1987 and 1992, hydrogen ion deposition to the lake study area averaged 452 eq ha^–1 yr^–1, compared to 338 eq ha^–1 yr^–1 between 1993 and 2000, a 25% reduction. The lake chemistry data were evaluated by dividing the lakes into four clusters for each survey year based on their acid neutralizing capacity. Twenty percent of the lakes (cluster IV) had an average ANC of 40 eq L^–1or greater and maintained an average pH of greater than 6 over the duration of the study period. A pH of 6 or greater is considered a healthy benchmark for maintaining biodiversity. The remaining 31 lakes (clusters I to III) had an average ANC of less than 40 eq L^–1and maintained an average pH of less than 6. Other lake chemistry changes included a general decline in lake sulphate and colour over the duration of the survey period, followed by more recent improvements in calcium ion, pH and ANC, and notably higher but declining aluminum levels in lower ANC and pH lakes. Nitrate accounted for 37% of the acid deposition to the study area, however it was not detectable in the lakes. Although acid deposition has declined and these lakes are beginning to show signs of acid recovery, 80% of the study lakes remain acid sensitive having little buffering capacity with low calcium, pH and ANC.     

Consequences and Correctives Related to Lake Acidification, Liming and Mercury in Fish – A Case-Study for Lake Huljesjön, Sweden, Using the LakeWeb-model

This work exemplifies how a given lake (Lake Huljesjön, Sweden) would likely respond to changes in pH-values and to liming (a standard measure against anthropogenic acidification). The basic questions are: How would a liming influence pH? How long would the changes last? How would the changes influence the structure and function of lake ecosystems? The work uses a comprehensive lake ecosystem model, LakeWeb, which accounts for production, biomasses, predation, abiotic/biotic interactions of nine key functional groups of organisms, phytoplankton, bacterioplankton, two types of zooplankton (herbivorous and predatory), two types of fish (prey and predatory), zoobenthos, macrophytes and benthic algae. LakeWeb is a dynamic model and gives weekly variations. It has been critically tested using empirical data and regressions from many lakes. Those tests are not presented here but have shown that the model can capture typical functional and structural patterns in lakes very well. This gives credibility to the results presented in this work, which would be very costly to obtain in the traditional manner by extensive field studies in one or a few lakes. This work presents for the first time predictions at the ecosystem level of how functional groups of organisms (and not individual species) are likely to respond to acidification and liming. Two existing dynamic models, one for liming, the other for Hg-concentrations in fish, have been added to the LakeWeb-model. These two models have previously been tested and proven to yield good predictions. The results presented here indicate that there are several probable changes in the structure and function of the lake foodweb related to acidification and liming. The predicted changes in macrophyte cover will influence the predation pressure on fish, and thereby the fish biomass. Reductions in primary production at low pH-values will cause reductions in fish biomass. There are several interesting compensatory effects between factors that increase fish biomass and factors that tend to decrease the biomass. Such matters can be handled quantitatively by the LakeWeb-model.     

An evaluation of benthic macroinvertebrate biomass methodology

This study shows that biological assessments of water quality status using biomass estimates of wet, dry, and ash-free dry weights and counts of individual organisms from a small, headwater stream in southwestern Ohio provide essentially similar results concerning the impact of a sewage treatment plant discharge. Of the indices of biotic status for the stream segment employed for data evaluation; Diversity Index (D), Community Diversity Index (d), Trophic Condition Index (TCI), and Empirical Biotic Index (EBI), the latter two provided evaluations most consistent with benchmark water chemistry and physics information concerning the trophic status of the stream. In addition, the percent composition of macro-invertebrate taxa by pollutional category; clean water, facultative, and pollution tolerant, as ascribed using TCI and EBI ranges for individual taxa collected in combination of Ekman grab, rock-filled basket sampler and drift net samples, proves adequate for interpretation of biotic status.     

Monitoring the biotic aspects of our environment as a policy instrument

As all environmental programs also programs monitoring the biotic aspects of our environment (dealt with in this article) should contribute to a more effective and efficient environmental policy. These programs have to function therefore (as no other type of environmental information does, according to the authors) as cheap and efficient early warning and early control systems, providing decision makers with important and reliable monitoring results.How these monitoring programs should function in the decision making process is illustrated in abstract in this article by a simple control system with feedback (as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3).The monitoring programs dealt with in this article should enable us to detect and forecast changes in the most important biotic aspects of our environment and-by continuous monitoring-to control whether the use of policy instruments has been effective or not in averting or diminishing unwanted changes (problems).Two options of decision makers with respect to monitoring results are shown (either to disregard unwanted changes as a problem or to accept these changes as a problem and to do something about them). To contribute to an effective and efficient environmental policy monitoring results therefore have to be important and reliable enough to react upon.The question is raised which biotic aspects in our environment are (or have to be considered as) important (because of their own value, as indicators and/or as biotic conditions) and how reliable monitoring results can (have to) be obtained.It is discussed how environmentalists could try to make it more difficult for decision makers to duck the problems (by monitoring only important aspects and by using only perfectly clear targets and standards) and how they could try at the same time to make it easier for them to take action (by setting up integrated environmental monitoring programs in order to find out how desired and undesired changes can be influenced). The role of active publicity is stressed in this connection.     

Field Study of Wind and Traffic to Test a Street Canyon Pollution Model

In the U.K., local authorities have new duties to review and assess air quality. Dispersion models are important tools in this process. The performance of a street canyon model, AEOLIUS, in calculating carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in urban areas is discussed. A field experiment was conducted in a busy street canyon in Leek, Staffordshire. Wind speed and direction were measured at three heights adjacent to the street. The canyon's CO concentrations and traffic counts were recorded. Predicted concentrations of CO, calculated using AEOLIUS, were compared with the observed values. The concept of a roof-top wind is discussed, as are the consequences of using wind measurements from outside the town. Choice of wind measurement location and height of the anemometer above the canyon had a pronounced effect on calculating the roof-top wind. Two methods of deriving a street level wind speed from a roof-top wind speed gave results that differ by up to a factor of two. AEOLIUS had variable skill at predicting CO concentrations depending on the roof-top wind direction: possible reasons for this variability are explored. A sensitivity study of the model showed that vehicle emissions have the greatest impact on predicted concentrations. Implications for local air quality management are discussed.     

Opportunities for Improved Risk Assessments of Exotic Species in Canada Using Bioclimatic Modeling

This paper briefly reviews the process of exotic pest risk assessments and presents some examples of emerging opportunities for spatial bioclimatic modeling of exotic species in Canada. This type of analysis can support risk assessments but does not replace the need for on-going high quality field-based observations to validate and update models. Bioclimatic analysis of several exotic pests is provided to illustrate both opportunities and limits. A link is demonstrated to the National Forest Inventory to characterize timber volumes at risk for one exotic species. Challenges' are both scientific and administrative. More accessible and current field survey data are required to improve models. Our experience is that for many exotic species, historical, and even current, data are not always digital or quality controlled for taxonomic identity and accurate geo-referencing. This inhibits their use for integrated spatial modeling applications.     

The importance of considering spatial attributes in evaluating estuarine habitat condition: the South Carolina experience

The South Carolina Estuarine and Coastal Assessment Program (SCECAP) was initiated in 1999 to assess the condition of the state's coastal habitats using multiple measures of water quality, sediment quality, and biological condition. Sampling was subsequently expanded to include components required for the National Coastal Assessment (Coastal 2000) Program. Habitats are classified as either tidal creeks (<#60; 100 meters in width) or larger open water bodies. Approximately 30 sites are sampled within each habitat during the summer months using a probability-based random sampling design. Results obtained from the first two years of sampling documented significant differences in several water quality parameters (DO, salinity, pH, turbidity, fecal coliform bacteria, total nitrogen, TKN, total phosphorus) and biological measures (chlorophyll-a, finfish and crustacean abundance and biomass and a number of benthic species) between the tidal creek and open water habitats. These differences highlight the value of partitioning shallow water habitats separately from the larger open water bodies traditionally sampled in estuarine monitoring programs, especially since tidal creeks serve as critical nursery areas for many species. Based on the differences observed, there is a clear need to identify different physical and biological thresholds for evaluating the condition of each habitat type.     

The feasibility of monitoring wilderness lake chemistry with remote sensing methods

Wilderness lakes in the U.S. are at risk to the effects of atmospheric pollution. The results of the EPA Western Lake Survey, for example, show that many of the lakes in the West have very low concentrations of dissolved constituents, and are sensitive to acidification. Lakes located in wilderness areas were found to be particularly sensitive: median ANC values of 91.4 eq/1 compared to 282.7 eq/1 in non-wilderness areas. Sampling remote wilderness lakes is difficult and expensive. For example, the cost of sampling each lake in the National surface water survey was about $ 4000 per lake. Remote sensing methods may provide an alternative means of monitoring the chemistry of wilderness lakes. This study defines the feasibility of the remote monitoring of lake chemistry in the Adirondack Park region of New York by comparing measured lake chemistry with field reflectance measurements, remote reflectance measurements from aircraft and satellite and laboratory and airborne laser fluorosensor data.Water samples collected from a representative population of Adirondack Park lakes were analyzed for pH, acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total reactive aluminum and plant pigment concentration concurrent with the collection of remote sensing data. Lake parameters estimated from field reflectance measurements which directly effect lake optical properties, total pigments, DOC, and turbidity were estimated with less error and more precision than those parameters not directly related to lake optics, pH, ANC and A1 concentration. Results from airborne MSS and Landsat MSS data produced lower R² values than estimates using field reflectance.The concentration of DOC can be estimated remotely by using laser fluorosensing. The spectral-fluorescence properties of DOC were correlated with the pH and aluminum concentrations in the lake water. Remotely measurable DOC fluorescence spectra were used to estimate DOC, H, and A1 concentrations.Of the methods investigated, laser fluorosensing shows the most promise for the remote prediction of lake DOC, hydrogen ion and aluminum concentration in Adirondack lakes while reflectance measures may be used to estimate lake chlorophyll, DOC and transparency. Given the large number of wilderness lakes and the difficulty of sampling in remote wilderness, remote sensing methods may provide an alternative, while less precise, method of monitoring lake chemistry. The applicability of these findings to lakes in other wilderness areas is unknown. Similar studies of the feasibility of monitoring Western wilderness lake chemistry with remote sensing methods are being initiated.Supported by an A. W. Mellon Foundation Grant to Dr. G. E. Likens while a student in the Section of Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY and a Fellow of the Institute for Ecosystem Studies, New York Botanical Garden, Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum, Millbrook, NY.Contribution from Fourth World Wilderness Congress-Acid Rain Symposium, Denver (Estes Park), Colorado, September 11–18, 1987.     

Use of Faunal Indicators for Assessing the Impact of a Port Enlargement near Bilbao (Spain)

In order to assess the effects of the execution of the Port of Bilbao Enlargement Project, epifauna living on hard substrata and environmental parameters were quantitatively investigated from 1994 to 1996. A programme of repeated non-destructive sampling at 8 stations was carried out during the construction period of a breakwater and the filling operations on the shoreline. A correlation analysis was used as a method to extract potential indicator species of particular environmental conditions measured in the field. We postulate that the remaining species (about 80% of the total species data set), insensitive to any of the investigated environmental factors, were unnecessary for the purposes of assessing the environmental impact caused by the port building works. Classification and ordination techniques were then conducted at two contrasting levels by using the full species data set and the selected faunal indicator data subset. All plots showed separation of sampling sites in 3 major groups, which were easily related to the perturbations caused by a siltation gradient from the estuary mouth. This suggests that the amount of effort required in the enumeration of all the organisms sampled may be dramatically reduced by identifying only faunal indicators of environmental discontinuities in the field. So far, the engineering works developed on the western side of the bay have not caused dramatic temporal changes in species composition, or at least they have not had an effect that was larger than the variations detected among the study sites due to siltation from the estuary mouth.