Evolution spatio-temporelle de la composition des peuplements de nématodes libres en réponse à la pollution pétroliere servissant dans la baie de Bizerte

Abstract

The spatio-temporal evolution of the community composition of nematodes exposed to petroleum pollution in the Bay of Bizerte, Tunisia, was studied in 7 sampling stations. 101 species of free-living marine nematodes, belonging to 28 families were found, from all of the stations put together, in summer 1992 compared with 54 species belonging to 22 families in summer 1996. Sediment enrichment with hydrocarbons is responsible for the temporal restructuring of the nematode communities. The spatio-temporal heterogeneity of the qualitative data, in terms of diversity, composition or functional maturity is confirmed by sediment analysis. Two sources of petroleum pollution are found, the discharge of refinery and the tankers berthing at proximity, but their importance is temporally variable.