The occurrence of hypoxic bottom water off the upper Texas coast and its effects on the benthic biota.
Date
1981Author
Harper, D.E. Jr.
McKinney, L.D.
Salzer, R.R.
Case, R.J.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Hypoxic bottom water occurred off the upper Texas coast in May-July 1979 after heavy spring runoff and a diatom bloom. Benthic assemblages at two study sites off Freeport, Texas decreased from spring densities of 3000-4000 individuals/m super (2) to 300-600 individuals/m super (2) by late July. Species diversity also decreased and perturbations occurred in the Shannon-Weiner diversity indices. Of the dominant taxa, polychaetes were least affected by hypoxia and amphipods and echinoderms the most affected. Storm-caused waves in late July initiated the breakup of hypoxic conditions these conditons had completely abated by late September. A short-lived irrupton occurred immediately afterward as depopulated bottoms were reinvaded. Diversity and abundances appeared to be returning to more normal conditions by early 1980.