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Volume 2
Journal of Environmental Research
Page 77
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
, Okuku E.
2
1,2
School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, 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 45m in each site with four stations per
transect at 0m, 15m, 30m and 45m 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 (Clarke & Gorley 2001). The was a large
difference in the assemblage composition, density and diversity of both macrofaunal and meifauna between the polluted and
unpolluted sited 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