Effect of sediment copper on benthic fauna

Relations between species diversity in benthic-fauna communities and sediment concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) and organic matter were tested by correlation and regression analyses on data from Norwegian fjords.Diversity and Cu showed a strong negative correlation.A moderate negative correlation was found for Pb and a weak negative correlation for Zn.Diversity and organic matter showed a moderate negative correlation.The negative correlation between diversity and Cu is interpreted as a cause-effect correlation, with high copper concentrations being toxic to a number of species, thus lowering diversity.Correlation plots were made between Cu and occurrence of selected species.Among the 50 most frequently occurring species, 20 were significantly missing from more copper-polluted (Cu > 200 ppm) stations.