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AuthorJassim A., Al-Khayat
AuthorVeerasingam, S.
AuthorAboobacker, V.M.
AuthorVethamony, P.
Available date2021-05-26T19:59:57Z
Publication Date2021-07-01
Publication NameScience of The Total Environment
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145985
CitationJ.A. Al-Khayat, S. Veerasingam, V.M. Aboobacker et al. "Hitchhiking of encrusting organisms on floating marine debris along the west coast of Qatar, Arabian/Persian Gulf" Science of The Total Environment Volume 776, 1 July 2021, 145985
ISSN00489697
URIhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721010524
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/18474
AbstractThe floating marine debris (FMD) and the associated rafting communities are one of the major stressors to ecosystem services, global biodiversity and economy and human health. In this study, assemblages of encrusting organisms on different types of stranded FMD along the west coast of Qatar, Arabian/Persian Gulf (hereafter referred to as ‘Gulf’) were examined. The analysis showed 18 fouling species belonging to 5 phyla (Annelida, Anthropoda, Bryozoa, Mollusca and Porifera) on the FMD. The most abundant fouling species were the encrusting Amphibalanus amphitrite, polychaete Spirobranchus kraussii, Bryozoan species and Megabalanus coccopoma. More number of taxa were found on larger size FMD than on smaller FMD. Some of the barnacle rafting types were found to be non-indigenous species. The central and northwest parts of the Qatar had more FMD and fouled species than in other locations. Winds and the prevailing hydrodynamic conditions (waves and currents) played an important role in the transportation and distribution of FMD and associated organisms along the west coast of Qatar. The present study confirmed that huge amount of bio-fouled FMD items, causing great damage to biodiversity, drift in the surface layer of ocean and eventually strand onto the beaches. We propose a simple, but an effective management plan for FMD and associated organisms at regional scale to restore the biodiversity, sustainability and health of the marine ecosystem in the Gulf.
SponsorThis work was carried out under the IRCC International Research Co-Fund Collaboration Program (IRCC-2019-002), and executed through ORS, Qatar University. Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.
Languageen
PublisherElsevier
SubjectFouling biota
Marine debris
Non-indigenous species
Rafting
Qatar coast
TitleHitchhiking of encrusting organisms on floating marine debris along the west coast of Qatar, Arabian/Persian Gulf
TypeArticle
Volume Number776
dc.accessType Abstract Only


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