The effects of sediment quality on benthic macroinvertebrates in the River Murray, Australia

Abstract

Aquatic sediments act as a sink for pollutants that potentially impact on aquatic communities. However, spatial correlations between pollution, hydrology, catchment disturbance and other factors make it difficult to determine the impact of sediment pollution. Field-based microcosm experiments utilising aquatic macroinvertebrates are one approach to isolating the biological effects of sediment pollution on aquatic biota. A field-based microcosm experiment was used to assess the effects of sediment from 14 sites along the River Murray system, Australia. Aquatic ecosystem declines have been observed in this river, but few studies have investigated the quality of its sediments or their biologica..