Meiofaunal Life of Man-Made Wastewater Ponds in Qatar

Abstract

The meiofaunal life of two wastewater ponds around Doha City was studied for the period October 2000-October 2001. The substrate nature of the two ponds was found to be similar in mean particle sizes but the densities of occurrence of the different species were variable. Six phyla were encountered. Namely Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, gastrotricha, Rotifera, Annelida and Crustacea ofArthropoda. Generally, the meiofaunal life was richer in Abu-NakhIa pond (treated wastewater) than in Abu-Hamour pond (untreated wastewater). The ratio of occurrence of Nematode / Copepod fluctuated in no particular manner depending on the state of water level in the two ponds.