Assessment of the Effects of Gasoline smuggling on the Macrobenthic Structures in Laft Estuary, Qeshm Island (Persian Gulf)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of gasoline smuggling on macrobenthose communities in the city of Laft. For this purpose, seasonal sampling was conducted in the station region of Laft, where gasoline is smuggling in the intertidal area, and at the same time, in three similar stations in the Tabl area as blank stations from November 2015 to September 2016. The results of the t-test showed a significant difference between the Laft and the Tabl stations (95% ). According to the tree chart derived from the cluster analysis, the studied regions can be divided into the first and second groups in terms of time. In addition, due to the correlation coefficients (Canonical Correlation) for each group, in particular at the Tabl station, the resulting functions showed a high discrimination power, particularly in Laft station, which can indicate more stability and sustainability of macrobenthose communities in Tabl station compared to Laft station. In other words, the ecological potential of the bottom of the sea at Laft station is less efficient than the Tabl station owing to the influence of gasoline smuggling. The results of biodiversity indices (Marguerite, Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices, and Hill number) showed significant differences in macrobenthose communities between two stations, however, the species evenness index showed no significant differences in macrobenthose communities between two stations Given the beneficial effects of mangrove forests in the production of natural nutrients, suitable soil and shelter creation in tidal zones, it is recommended to plant mangroves in Laft.

Keywords

• pollution
• biodiversity
• macrobenthose
• laft
• tabl
• qeshm island