THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION ON SEDIMENT MEIOFAUNA

Abstract

The decline of biodiversity due to anthropogenic pressures poses a significant threat to ecosystem stability and functionality. Pollution, such as eutrophication and contaminants, emerges as a critical factor disrupting the balance of particularly aquatic sediment habitats. Meiofauna, microscopic organisms inhabiting sediment, serve as valuable bioindicators due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. This study investigates the impact of sediment pollution on meiofaunal diversity and abundance in the Espírito Santo estuary, Maputo, Mozambique. By analyzing sediment samples from locations with varying levels of anthropogenic and natural contamination, the findings reveal that highly polluted areas exhibit reduced meiofaunal diversity and abundance. Dominance by opportunistic taxa, such as Nematoda, in polluted sites contrasts with the balanced communities observed in less impacted areas. These results underscore the potential of meiofaunal analysis as an effective tool for assessing ecosystem health and highlight the need for integrated strategies to mitigate contamination and preserve biodiversity in estuarine environments.