A preliminary assessment of the effects of treated sewer discharge on the benthic infaunal communities of Whitaker Bayou and Adjoining Sarasota Bay. (Sarasota, Florida). A technical report.

Abstract

This report describes a study of benthic macroinfauna and sediments that was conducted in and near Whitaker Bayou (Sarasota, Florida) to provide a preliminary assessment on the ecological effects of wastewater discharged into Sarasota Bay. Sampling was conducted at eight locations. Specific objects were to characterize the macroinvertebrate infauna of the study area in terms of species composition, abundance and diversity; describe the sediment of the study area in terms of granulometry and volatile organic content, with particular reference to infaunal distribution; and evaluate these objectives with reference to possible effects of secondary treated wastewater (sewage) discharge from Whitaker Bayou, Sarasota, Florida.