Study of the benthic macrofauna and application of AMBI index in the coastal waters of Algeria

Belhaouari, Benkhedda; Si-hamdi, Fethi; Belguermi, Ahmed

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2019.45600

Study of the benthic macrofauna and application of AMBI index in the coastal waters of Algeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejabf.2019.45600

Abstract

The aim of this of study was to examine the state of the benthic macrofauna community at six different sites in coastal waters of Algeria. The diversity of benthic macrofauna was studied and the AZTI marine biotic index (AMBI) was applied. Sampling was carried out during March and April 2018. Thus, 31 species were recorded. Higher species richness (13 species) was recorded in two sites. The highest density was estimated at 56.6 in / 0.1 m². Taxonomic analysis has shown the prevalence of Gastopoda, Bivalvia and Scaphopoda. Sediment analysis showed a low concentration of organic matter in the six sites. The AMBI index used in this study has been used extensively in Europe as indicador of marine pollution, but rarely used in Algeria. The AMBI values were quite homogeneous over all the sites, and generally correspond to undisturbed states except for one site, which is slightly disturbed.

Keywords