Deep-sea meiofauna response to synthetic- based drilling mud discharge off SE Brazil

Abstract

From the Abstract: The response of the meiofauna communities to the discharge of synthetic-based mud (SBM) cuttings from an exploratory drill was analyzed in a deep-sea site (mean depth of 890 m) in the Campos Basin southeast Brazil. A total of 159 samples were taken on three sampling cruises: one pre- and two post- drilling (1 month and 1 year after drilling). One month after drilling, significant decreases in the meiofauna density and number of taxa were observed, as well as in nematode density and richness (number of families and genera); conversely, relative abundances of non-selective deposit-feeding nematodes, particularly th egenus Sabatieria, increased significantly… Twelve months after drilling, most of the values of the meiofauna descriptors had returned to pre-impact period values.”