Benthic ostracod assemblages as bioindicators of anthropogenic impacts in intertidal environment

Abstract

Sediment samples intertidal current of 4 locations in the estuary of Bahia Blanca were studied; with different degree of disturbance due to anthropic action. A total of 4 genera were obtained with 5 autochthonous species; on the basis of the results obtained it can be concluded that Neocytherideis ruidis and Leptocythere darwini are two species very sensitive to the contamination by human activity since it was only found in the samples taken from the intertidal Canal Tres Brazas that is characterized as the area with the least degree of modification. In the sites with greater degree of disturbance Cyprideis salebrosa hartmanni was the one that more development.