Effects of thermal pollution on the soft-bottoms surrounding a power station in the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic ocean)

Abstract

The spatial and temporal effects of hot seawater (60–70°C) from a power station on nearby soft bottom communities were analyzed in the protected area “Sebadales del sur de Tenerife” (SE coast of Tener ife, Canary Islands, NE Atlantic Ocean). The samples were taken during summer 2003 and winter 2004 from12 to 20 m depth. The highest macrofaunal abundance and species diversity were found in the turbines. A spe cific community, characterized by the polychaetes Aponuphis bilineata and sabellids of the genus Chone andthe amphipod Photis longicaudata, inhabited the surroundings of the power station turbines. Permanent cur rent from sea effluent had majok impact over the macrofaunal community structure of the neighbouring bot tom where no measurable responses to thermal disturbance were detected.