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Volume 2
Journal of Environmental Research
Page 76
JOINT EVENT
July 26-27, 2018 Rome, Italy
&
6
th
Edition of International Conference on
Water Pollution & Sewage Management
4
th
International Conference on
Pollution Control & Sustainable Environment
Benthic communities as bio-indicators of organic and inorganic pollution in marine environment; case
study of Tudor Creek, Mombasa County, Kenya
Wanjohi C
1
, Muthumbi W N A
1
, Gichuki N
1
and
Okuku E
2
1
University of Nairobi, Kenya
2
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Kenya
B
enthic organisms (macrofauna and meiofauna) are vulnerable to pollution in marine ecosystems due to their prolonged
exposure hence efficient bio-indicator of heavy metals and organic contamination. This study focused on Tudor Creek
(polluted) and Mida Creek (unpolluted) as the control site. The main objective was to assess uses of benthic communities as
bio indicators of marine pollution by determining their density, composition and distribution. Sampling was done during
dry season (February) and wet season (May) by systematically laying two transects of 45 m in each site with four stations per
transect at 0 m, 15 m, 30 m and 45 m intervals. Densities and diversity indices were calculated using past software. ANOVA
was used to assess whether the differences in density and diversity of the meiofauna and macrofauna among the sampling sites
and periods were significant. MANOVA was used to assess the density and diversity variability with environmental variables.
MDS (multidimensional scaling) on community analysis was done on PRIMER software. There was a large difference in the
assemblage composition, density and diversity of both macrofauna and meiofauna between the polluted and unpolluted sites
as well as environmental parameters. Nematodes dominated in both sites indicating that they are pollution tolerant unlike
copepods which were less in diversity and density in the polluted site. Communities in Mida Creek clustered together showing
great similarity unlike in Tudor Creek.
charitykui@gmail.comJ Environ Res 2018, Volume: 2