Sedimentation rates and erosion processes in the lagoon of Venice

Since the early 1990s in the lagoon of Venice, especially in the central basin, the surface sediment underwent high re-suspension and sedimentation changes and water turbidity increased both because of the disappearance of the macroalgal coverage and the harvesting of the Manila clam Tapes philippinarum Adams and Reeve, which had rapidly colonised the bottom free of macrophytes. Clams are harvested with hydraulic and mechanical dredges which remove and re-suspend surface sediments causing the transport and loss of the finest materials. Sediment transport and re-deposition in the lagoon have been monitored with sediment traps placed onto the bottoms near the Malamocco mouth (st. A), the Lido watershed (st. B) and the mainland (sts. C and D). From 1989-1993 to 1998-1999 sedimentation rates increased significantly at st. A (from 41 to 228 kg DW m(-2) year(-1)), st. B (from 65 to 760 kg DW m(-2) year(-1)) and st. C (from 140 to 721 kg DW m(-2) year(-1)), while at st. D sedimentation rates increased only by ca. 20%. In parallel sediment grain-size changed with a loss of the finest fraction especially near the mainland. The erosion or sedimentation status, acquired by utilizing sedimentation devices placed onto the bottoms, showed that sts. B, C, D were affected by sediment losses, while st. A, populated by seagrasses and characterised by seasonal variations which depend on the shoot development, did not show any significant bathymetric change on an annual basis. The highest sediment erosion was recorded at st. D (ca. 3.6 cm year(-1)) whereas a loss of ca. 1.5 and 0.5 cm year(-1) was found at sts. C and B, respectively, which accounted for a mean loss in the central lagoon of ca. 1.2 million tonnes year(-1). Those data agree with the previous indirect estimation of sediment loss which was based on the number of fishing boats operating in the lagoon on an annual basis.     

Recording the occurrence of trophic level changes in the lagoon of Venice over the '90s

Four areas of the Venice lagoon, placed near the Malamocco mouth (Alberoni, st. A), in the Lido watershed (Sacca Sessola, st. B) and near the mainland under the influence of freshwater and urban (San Giuliano, st. C) or industrial (Fusina, st. D) effluents were monitored in two periods: 1989-92 and 1998-99 in order to quantify some environmental changes (macroalgal and phytoplankton biomass, nutrient concentrations, physico-chemical variables) occurred in both the water column and the surface sediment over the '90s. Stations B and C, two areas particularly affected by macroalgae exhibited a biomass of ca. 20 and 8 kg WW m(-2), respectively, during 1989-90. In 1998-99 maximum densities decreased to ca. 0.3 and 0.01 kg WW m(-2). During that period, phytoplankton also decreased significantly both in peaks (Chl a: from 58-86 to 4.0-3.5 microg dm(-3)) and mean values (Chl a: from 9.1-10.3 to 1.3-1.4 microg dm(-3)), especially at sts. C and D. As far as nutrient concentrations are concerned, a different trend was observed in the water column and in the surface sediment, mainly because of the reduction of the primary producers and the disappearance of anoxic crises. In 1998-99 reactive phosphorus (RP) in the water column was up to ca. 3 times as high as in 1989-92. Conversely, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was not significantly changed. In 1998-99 the 5 cm sediment top layer at sts. B, C, displayed a significant total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) decrease (TN annual mean: from 1.29 and 2.79 mg DW g(-1) to 0.69 and 1.47 mg DW g(-1), respectively; TP: from 401 and 626 microg DW g(-1) to 360 and 455 microg DW g(-1)). A different result was found at st. A which in 1998-99 was colonised by the seagrass Zostera marina L. That station showed a TN sediment increase from 0.25 to 0.67 mg DW g(-1) and a TP decrease from 455 to 350 microg DW g(-1). Station D, which did not show any macrophyte biomass coverage either in 1992-93 or in 1998-99, exhibited negligible differences. Besides the monitoring of biomasses and nutrients, significant changes related to oxygen concentration, water transparency, pH and E(h) and sediment rates were also recorded.     

Sediment and carbon accumulation in a small tidal basin: Yuehu,Shandong Peninsula,China

A small sedimentary basin (the Yuehu lagoon), located at the eastern tip of Shandong Peninsula, China, was selected to study its filling by sediment and the vertical flux of particulate organic carbon in response to natural/anthropogenic processes. Surficial and short core sediment samples were collected and analyzed to obtain data sets of grain size, organic carbon content, deposition rates and vertical fluxes of sediment and organic carbon. The analytical results show that the lagoon is covered mainly with fine-grained sediments with high deposition rate and particulate organic carbon content being found from the central part of the mud deposit. The sediment balance of the lagoon indicates high denudation rates of the catchment basin, which may be related to soil erosion in response to farming and land use pattern changes. Furthermore, preliminary analysis of the organic carbon fluxes of the Yuehu lagoon and other embayments of the region shows that these coastal systems make an important contribution to the regional shallow sea carbon burial.     

Screening ecological risk assessment for the benthic community in the Venice lagoon (Italy)

According to the risk hypothesis: the sediment as source of potential risk for the benthic community, an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) based on the quotient method was undertaken. The exposure of the benthic community to different classes of pollutants (metals, chlorinated organic compounds and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) was inferred by estimating the pollutant stocks in the top 15-cm sediment of the whole Venice lagoon, after application of geostatistic techniques. The risk was calculated by comparing the sediment exposure profiles with the ecotoxicological benchmarks for benthic organisms. Kriging based maps of the spatial distribution of the estimated risk for the benthic community over the whole lagoon were obtained. The highest risk, found in the areas nearest to the sources of contamination (e.g., the industrial district of Porto Marghera and the river mouths), was posed by mercury (40% of the sampling stations showed exposure levels higher than the Probable Effect Level), arsenic and nickel (75% of the sampling stations exceeded the Threshold Effect Level).     

Impact of dredging in a shallow coastal lagoon: Microtox Basic Solid-Phase Test, trace metals and Corophium bioassay

The aim of this work was to measure survival of the amphipod Corophium insidiosum and luminescence inhibition in the marine bacterium Vibrio fisheri on surface sediment samples collected from a shallow coastal lagoon (Pialassa Baiona, northern Adriatic Italian coast) before execution of dredging operations to deepen the main inner channel of the lagoon and restore the water circulation. Trace metal (Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb) concentrations, grain size and organic carbon matter content as loss of ignition were also measured. Toxicity testing with V. fisheri was carried out according to the Microtox Basic Solid-Phase Test (BSPT) protocol. The preliminary outcomes of this work show that: (a) the investigated area can be categorised as moderately degraded; (b) there is no evident spatial pattern in sediment toxicity and trace metal concentrations; (c) Microtox responses are not biased by sediment characteristics such as silt, clay and organic matter content.     

Environmental quality of transitional waters: the lagoon of Venice case study

The health status of European aquatic environments, including transitional waters such as coastal lagoons, is regulated by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), which requires the classification of the water bodies' environmental quality and the achievement of a good ecological status by 2015. In the Venice lagoon, a transitional water body located in the northeastern part of Italy, the achievement of a good ecological status is hampered by several anthropogenic and natural pressures, such as sediment and water chemical contamination, and sediment erosion. In order to evaluate the lagoon's environmental quality according to the WFD (i.e. 5 quality classes, from High to Bad), an integrated Weight-of-Evidence methodology was developed and applied to classify the quality of the lagoon water bodies, integrating biological, physico-chemical, chemical, ecotoxicological, and hydromorphological data (i.e. Lines of Evidence, LOE). The quality assessment was carried out in two lagoon habitat typologies (previously defined on the basis of morphological, sediment, and hydrodynamic characteristics) which were selected taking into account the ecological gradient from sea to land, and the differences in anthropogenic pressure and contamination levels. The LOE classification was carried out by using indicators scored by comparing site specific conditions to reference conditions measured in lagoon reference sites, or provided by local, national or European regulations (e.g. Environmental Quality Standards, EQS, for chemicals). Finally, the overall quality status for each water body was calculated by a probabilistic approach, i.e. by reporting the final result as the frequency distribution of quality classes. The developed procedure was applied by using data and information concerning selected LOE and collected from monitoring programs and research studies carried out in the last 15 years in the lagoon of Venice. A set of sampling stations characterized by spatially and temporally coherent information for each LOE was selected, and among these stations, potential reference sites for each water body typology were identified. The quality assessment highlighted that there are specific lagoon areas, especially those located near the industrially developed area, which are highly affected by anthropogenic activities, and that chemical contamination is one of the main pressures affecting ecological status (e.g. macro-benthonic biodiversity) in the Venice lagoon. The integrated quality assessment procedure that was developed provided a new tool supporting decision making, as well as lagoon assessment and management.     

Studies on the seasonal changes of phosphorus in the marine environments off Cochin

Studies were conducted to evaluate the changes of phosphorus in marine water and sediments of seven stations in the coastal areas off Cochin. Samples were collected on a monthly basis from January 2001 to December 2001. Results revealed higher levels of P in marine water samples collected during October-December 2001. The marine water P ranged from 0 to 0.38 ppm throughout the year. Speciation of P in marine sediment revealed that the Al bound P was maximum compared to Fe, Ca and organic bound P. Loosely bound and aluminium bound P was maximum during October-December especially in 10 and 20 m depth stations off Narakkal. Fe bound P was found to be least in June and September and highest during January-April. Low levels of Ca bound P were detected in samples collected during January-March and inorganic P was maximum in June and September. Organic bound P was maximum in 10 m depth stations and also during June and September. Phosphate fractions varied with locations and exhibited seasonal fluctuations.     

Sediment accumulation rate and radiological characterisation of the sediment of Palmones River estuary (southern of Spain)

Chemical analyses and radioecological methods were combined in order to estimate the sediment accumulation rate in the upper 20 cm depth of the Palmones River estuary. Organic matter, total carbon, C:N and (137)Cs vertical profiles showed changes at 13 cm depth. These changes could be associated with the decrease in river input since 1987 when a dam situated in the upper part of the estuary started to store water. Using 1987 as reference to date the sediment, accumulation rate was 1.2 cm yr(-1). As alternative method, two layer model of (210)Pb(xs) vertical distribution showed a sedimentation rate of 0.7 cm yr(-1) with a surface mixing layer of 7 cm thickness. The high ammonium, potassium and sodium content in pore water and the strong correlation between (137)Cs activities and organic matter in dry sediment suggests that (137)Cs (the only anthropogenic product detected) is mainly accumulated in the estuary associated with the particulate organic material from the catchment area.     

Pollution historical trends as recorded by sediments at selected sites of the Venice Lagoon

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and hexaclorobenzene (HCB) were determined in three sediment cores of the Venice Lagoon: I1, from the San Giuliano Canal that is likely the main source of pollutants for the study area; E, representing the lagoon sediment of the zone of Campalto; and M3, typical of a salt marsh environment and mostly subject to atmospheric inputs. Maximum concentrations were found in core I1: 25-1858 ngI-TE kg(-1) (PCDD/Fs), 1.7-13 microg kg(-1) (HCB), and 107-717 microg kg(-1) (PCBs) are surficial and peak values, respectively. The lagoon sediment (E), is much less contaminated: 24-47 ngI-TE kg(-1) for PCDD/Fs, 2.3-3.6 microg kg(-1) for HCB, and 56-203 microg kg(-1) for PCBs, whereas M3 shows the lowest values: 1.6-6.0 ngI-TE kg(-1) for PCDD/Fs, 0.3-0.6 microg kg(-1) for HCB, and 7.1-39 microg kg(-1) for PCBs. In any case, the recent trend is toward a decrease of pollutant concentration. The chronology of cores E and M3 is based on both 210Pb and 137Cs activity-depth profiles. The maximum concentrations of PCDD/Fs, HCB, and PCBs correspond to the years 1949, 1980, and 1968, respectively. The homologue profiles of PCDD/Fs confirm that I1 has been subject to an industrial source while the other sites also recorded significant contributions, changing over time, of octachlorinated dioxin from combustion. A comparison of the pollutant inventories, all normalised to 210Pb inventories, suggests that the atmospheric contribution to the contamination of the area of Campalto is low: the upper limits range from 6% (PCDD/Fs) to 17% (HCB).     

Remobilisation of 109Cd, 65Zn and 54Mn from freshwater-labelled river sediments when mixed with seawater

A major fraction of trace metals transported by rivers is associated with sediments, especially during flooding, when erosion and resuspension increase sediment loads. Upon contact with seawater in estuaries, changes in ionic strength and pH may remobilise trace metals from sediment surfaces into more bioavailable forms. The objective of the present work was to investigate time-dependent interactions between trace metals and freshwater sediments and their potential remobilisation upon contact with seawater. Two river sediments (one organic and one inorganic) were labelled with 109Cd2+, 65Zn2+ and 54Mn2+ radioactive tracers for periods up to 6 months. Sorption of tracers occurred rapidly (> or = 80% sorption, < 1 h), followed by a slower approach to pseudoequilibrium. Kd(6 months) were estimated as 460, 480 and 2200 ml/g (inorganic sediment) compared to 5300, 4000 and 1200 ml/g (organic sediment) for 109Cd, 65Zn and 54Mn, respectively. Remobilisation of tracers from labelled sediments was studied using sequential extractions. Artificial seawater extracts simulated an estuarine environment. Subsequent extractions provided information about more strongly sorbed tracer fractions within sediments. Remobilisation of 109Cd by seawater was significant (> 65%) and least affected by sediment type or freshwater labelling time. Redistribution of Cd to strongly bound phases was minimal (4% and 1% of 109Cd in strongly oxidisable fractions). Seawater remobilisation of 65Zn was significantly greater from the organic sediment (54%) compared to the inorganic sediment (8%), where a large fraction of 65Zn (14%) became irreversibly bound. Similarly, more 54Mn was remobilised by seawater from the organic sediment than the inorganic sediment (66% and 3% remobilised, respectively), i.e., 54Mn became more strongly bound in the inorganic sediment. A simple three-box model, based on first-order differential equations, was used to describe the interaction between tracers in spiked freshwater and two operationally defined sediment fractions ("seawater exchangeable" and "seawater unexchangeable") up to 6 months of freshwater labelling. Model simulations were fitted to experiment data and apparent rate constants were calculated using numerical optimisation methods. Sorption ratios from modelling data (i.e., k1/k2) were greater for organic compared to inorganic sediments, while fixation ratios were higher in inorganic sediments. In conclusion, trace metals can be remobilised from sediments on contact with seawater in estuaries. High organic content in sediments increased initial sorption of tracers but inhibited redistribution to more strongly bound fractions over time, resulting in greater remobilisation of tracers when in contact with seawater.     

近60年赣江水沙变化特征及影响因素分析

赣江是鄱阳湖流域最大水系,赣江水沙变化对鄱阳湖入湖径流、泥沙等水文特征有重要影响。目前对赣江水沙研究主要集中在下游外洲站河段,不足以反映全流域水沙变化规律。选取赣江上游4站、吉安和外洲水文站分别代表上、中、下游河段,基于近60 a的实测流量、悬移质泥沙资料,采用水文学和数理统计相结合的方法,分析赣江水沙年际变化特征以及可能影响因素,以期为流域水沙资源管理提供参考。结果表明:(1)赣江径流年际变化大,1970s、1990s水量较丰,其它年代径流偏少,年径流序列无显著变化趋势和突变点;(2)输沙量年际变化剧烈,呈显著降低趋势,上游4站、吉安站、外洲站输沙序列突变点分别为2002年、1995年、1995年,突变后年输沙量较突变前减少52%、71%、67%;(3)赣江上游水土保持建设是上游4站输沙量减小的主要原因;1993年后万安水库拦沙是吉安、外洲站输沙量显著减少的主要原因,水土保持、河道采砂也是引起吉安、外洲站输沙量减少的直接因素。(4)水土保持减沙的作用是缓慢和滞后的,而万安水库对下游河道的减沙作用是迅速而显著的。可见,赣江入鄱阳湖的年径流无明显减少趋势,入湖输沙量显著减少,有利于减少鄱阳湖的泥沙淤积、促进湖泊生态的良性发展。     

Spatio-temporal variation of dissolved inorganic nutrients related to hydrodynamics and land use in the mangrove-fringed Segara Anakan Lagoon, Java, Indonesia

Segara Anakan is a mangrove-fringed lagoon in Java, Indonesia, which is affected by human activities in the lagoon and its hinterland. Nutrient and sediment input from the Citanduy River which drains an agriculture-dominated hinterland is thought to be an important factor for ecosystem degradation. From dry and rainy season investigations of dissolved inorganic nutrients between May 2004 and August 2006 we infer that the nutrient inventory of Segara Anakan is controlled by a complex mixture of anthropogenic and natural sources and processes. Maximum inputs into the western lagoon were supplied by the Citanduy during the rainy season while tidal exchange with the Indian Ocean dominated in the eastern lagoon with little freshwater input. During the dry season recycling in mangroves appeared to be an additional source of nutrients to the lagoon. Despite an extremely high population density and intensive agriculture in the hinterland nutrient pollution and eutrophication in the lagoon were low to moderate on a global scale. It is probably due to the short residence time of water in the shallow lagoon which indicates that major part of the land-derived nutrient input is rapidly exported to the sea. Although Segara Anakan is a highly perturbed system for decades, it appears that still natural processes exert major control on the nutrient inventory of the lagoon.     

Comparative analysis of the population structure of social vole (Microtus socialis Pall., 1773, cricetidae, rodentia) in different areas of its range

A comparative analysis of the spatial-ethological structure of social vole (Microtus socialis Pall.) colonies was made on the basis of studies performed in Dagestan (1987–1991) and the southern Kalmyk Republic (1993–1998). Notwithstanding differences in environmental conditions and the extent and forms of anthropogenic impact, the population structure of the species proved to be similar and stable. Irrespective of population density, its core consists of family groups. Specific features of social behavior (aggressiveness toward unfamiliar animals) provide for the protection of home ranges and help to maintain a stable population structure.     

Assessment of ecological risk from bioaccumulation of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in a coastal lagoon

The ecological risk posed by dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/Fs congeners mixtures in five organisms representative of the food web of the lagoon of Venice (Italy) was estimated by applying the US-EPA [US-EPA. Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment. EPA/630/R-95/002F. Final Report. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC; 1998.] procedure. Experimental concentrations of dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/Fs in sediments, water, and organisms in six lagoon zones were used to define the spatial distribution of the pollutant homolog patterns. The Principal Component Analysis of homolog patterns in biota permitted to remark the difference between PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs bioaccumulation. Dioxin-like PCBs were found almost unaltered in all selected organisms, while PCDD/Fs homologs underwent an enrichment of low chlorinated furans in fish. The ecological risk for the dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/Fs was estimated in the selected lagoon zones according to the Hazard Quotient approach by comparing the biota experimental concentrations in TEQ with an Internal No Effect Concentration of the 2,3,7,8-TCDD, estimated from both Ambient Quality Criteria and literature toxicity data. A high potential risk was found for benthic biota (i.e. clam and crab) and for mussel, while a negligible risk was estimated for fish. Moreover, the ecological risk resulted higher in the central part of the lagoon, and lower in the northern lagoon. Finally, the comparison between the TEQ concentrations of each homolog in biota and the estimated ecological risk highlighted that the risk was determined essentially by lower chlorinated PCDD/Fs (i.e. pentachloro and hexachloro PCDD/Fs), and by pentachloro-PCBs. These compounds should be regarded as homologs of concern and preferentially investigated in environmental monitoring of sediment, water, and biota.     

长江上游输沙模数分布图的制作及其空间分异特征初步分析

针对一般编制输沙模数图所存在的问题,提出了一种主要基于侵蚀量加权平均绘制输沙模数图的方法。利用1956~1987年152个水文站输沙资料和其他相关数据,将各水文站观测数据插补延长到同样的长度,通过侵蚀量加权空间插值制作了长江上游输沙模数分布图。交叉检验结果显示利用本文方法得到的输沙模数插值结果要优于直接插值法的结果。所绘制的输沙模数图显示长江上游高产沙区主要集中于两个条带：一个是从北向南沿陇南和川滇山地延伸,另一个是从秦巴山地向东南,过川中丘陵北部,至黄陵背斜。同时,该图也揭示出在低产沙区存在局部高产沙斑块或条带;在高产沙区则存在局部低产沙斑块。充分反映了长江上游强烈的产沙空间变异性。     

Evidence of genetic damage in grass gobies and mussels from the Venice lagoon

The presence of genetic damage has been investigated in two native species of the Venice lagoon: the common mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the grass goby Zosterisessor ophiocephalus. Two sampling campaigns were performed in summer 1998 and 1999. Aromatic-like DNA adducts were analysed in selected tissues of gobies and mussels by using the 32P-postlabelling assay. In 1999, micronuclei and other nuclear abnormalities were additionally scored on gill cells and haemocytes of individual mussels whereas inorganic (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn) as well as organic contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and other chlorinated compounds) were measured in the total mussel pulp. Compared to the lagoon inlet area, gobies and mussels from the industrial district (Marghera) showed significant DNA adduct levels and increased frequencies of cytogenetic alterations (evidence of genetic damage was absent or inconsistent in other sites). The substantial levels of aromatic and chlorinated contaminants detected in mussels from Marghera also support the exposure of native organisms to genotoxic agents.     

Land use and land cover change affecting habitat distribution in the Segara Anakan lagoon, Java, Indonesia

This study quantifies and spatially characterizes land use and land cover changes in the Segara Anakan lagoon (SAL), Java, Indonesia, from 1987–2006. Classification of four satellite (SPOT) images from the years 1987, 1995, 2004 and 2006 and field ground truth data from 2004 and 2005 were used for map generation. The results show major changes in the western area of the SAL, with large area increases of rice fields, dry land agriculture, aquaculture and rural areas, and decreases in mangrove cover, mud flat and lagoon area. In the eastern area, minor decreases in mangrove area and increase in aquaculture, rural and industrial areas were also observed. Changes are due to the filling of the lagoon with riverine sediments derived from the hinterland and to mangrove conversion and resources exploitation. The results of this study provide basic information which is required for developing measures towards a sustainable management and conservation of the SAL.     

The loading history of trace metals and nutrients in Altata-Ensenada del Pabellón,lagoon complex,northwestern Mexico

This paper summarizes the geochemical investigations about the origin and loading history of some trace metals (Ag, Cu and Zn) and nutrients (N and P) in the coastal lagoon complex of Altata-Ensenada del Pabellón, Mexico, by using the radioactive chronometers 210Pb and 228Th and the stable isotopes of C and N. The examination of sediment cores collected at different locations in the lagoon system identified a slight enrichment in metals and nutrients in some points, which was mainly associated to organic matter accumulation. Stable C and N isotope ratios revealed wastewater inputs to the lagoon system and the 210Pb geochronology showed that anthropogenic impact started 50 years ago, with the beginning of the agriculture development and the associated urban growth of the surrounding area. Several atypical 210Pb and 228Th/232Th profiles demonstrated that biological and physical disturbances are common phenomena in these environments, that frequently mask the pollution records; and therefore, considering that the contaminated sediments at some locations in the lagoon system are frequently resuspended and re-oxygenated, the pollutants will continue to be easily remobilized in the food chain.     

Pollutant loads from the drainage basin to the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

In order to assess the actual pollutant loads from the drainage basin, the twelve major tributaries of the Venice Lagoon were monitored and studied in the period 1998-2000 in the framework of the DRAIN project. A specific sampling scheme was designed to investigate the effects of the different regimes, including floods, in the transport of total and dissolved metals, nitrogen and phosphorous species as well as organic micropollutants. The loads were calculated from data collected during the year of 1999, since this year displayed a value close to the mean in terms of the distribution of total rainfall on the drainage basin. The annual values for the different pollutants are reported and discussed. A comparison with the estimates of previous investigations highlights the significant advancement provided by the DRAIN project results in the understanding of the drainage basin contribution to the pollution of the lagoon. Finally, the importance of flood events on the overall balance of materials and pollutants delivered to the lagoon is emphasized.     

Spatio-temporal variation of macrobenthic communities in the mangrove-fringed Segara Anakan lagoon, Indonesia, affected by anthropogenic activities

The benthic macrofauna of the Segara Anakan lagoon, Java, Indonesia and its fringing mangroves were investigated between May 2004 and August 2006. This lagoon has been affected by various human activities for decades, in particular fishing, effluents from agriculture and industry, and illegal deforestation. In total, 163 taxa were identified, including 127 species occurring in the mangrove forest and 59 species in the subtidal. Mean density of macrobenthos was 2.5-fold higher in the central (881.8 ± 1,151.3 ind. m^?2) than in the eastern mangrove site (356.3 ± 218.8 ind. m^?2). Community structures differed significantly between these sites and showed a serial shift during the investigation period. Gastropods dominated the community in the central mangrove location, whereas sipunculids, polychaetes and gastropods had similar densities in the eastern site. Differences in community composition were best explained by three sediment properties: pore water salinity, δ¹³C_org, and C_org/N. It is suggested that small-scale heterogeneity of food availability and quality is a main factor determining the small-scale variability of the community composition. Compared to other Indo-West Pacific mangroves, species richness and densities are high. However, the dominance of specific taxa, especially of opportunistic species and the comparably low species richness in the subtidal of the lagoon may be attributed to the high sediment input by rivers in the central part and to the large-scale cutting of mangroves. Continuous tree logging will probably lead to a further spread of two fast growing understorey plants and thus to an increase of uniform swamp sites and a decrease of micro-habitats for benthic macrofauna. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed study on the spatio-temporal variation of benthic macrofauna in mangroves of Indonesia.