Long-term changes in the zooplankton communities and benthos in the Vrangel Bay during the construction and reconstruction of the Vostochny Port

Abstract

The results of monitoring conditions of zooplankton communities and macrobenthos in the Vrangel Bay of late years are considered. It was found that the most significant changes occurred in the bottom communities in the areas where dredging works were carried out. In 2013 there was a diminution of the species composition, a decrease in the numbers and biomass of animals, and changes occurred in the size structure of populations of zoobenthos mass species. From August 2011 to August 2016, there was an increase in the density of Pleopis polyphemoides, an indicator of the Bay waters pollution. A low density of the most important element of zooplankton – meroplankton – notes during the whole period of research in the Vrangel Bay in comparison with other water areas of Peter the Great Bay.