ВПЛИВ КИСНЕВОГО РЕЖИМУ НА МЕЙОБЕНТОС УКРАЇНСЬКОГО ШЕЛЬФУ ЧОРНОГО МОРЯ

• Дата: 2026
• Автор: Воробйова, Л.В.
• Формат: Стаття
• Мова: Англійська
• Опубліковано: Marine Ecological Journal 2026
• Теми: Чорне море; північно-західний шельф; мейофауна; кисневий режим
• Онлайн доступ: https://mej.od.ua/index.php/mej/article/view/730
• Назва журналу: Marine Ecological Journal

The hydrochemical characteristics of the Northwestern Part (NWBS) of the Black Sea offer a unique opportunity to study the development of meiofauna ecological features in hypoxic zones under field conditions. A comprehensive array of factual data allowed us to identify specific features of meiofauna structure development and its quantitative indicators, obtained through long-term, ongoing research. A total of 520 quantitative samples collected during regular annual scientific expeditions over more than 30 years were analyzed. Data analysis allowed us to determine the dynamics of quantitative indicators for both the general meiobenthos and its major large taxa (Foraminifera, Nematoda, Harpacticoida, Ostracoda, and Bivalvia), which are sensitive to changes in oxygen levels in the bottom layers of the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea. The quantitative indices of the aforementioned taxa were examined over a wide range of dissolved oxygen levels near the bottom in this marine region (from 0 to 12 mg·L-1 O2). The studies showed that only foraminifera maintain very high abundances even at very low dissolved oxygen levels. Crustaceans (harpacticoids and ostracods) and juvenile bivalves cannot survive under hypoxic conditions. The obtained data allowed us to determine two oxygen thresholds that determine both the biodiversity and abundance of the main representatives of the permanent and temporary components of the meiofauna. Long-term observations and analysis of the obtained data allow us to assess the environmental quality in the northwestern Black Sea using the meiobenthos. The nematode to harpacticoid abundance ratios presented in the paper reflect the structure, abundance, and biomass of the meiofauna under different oxygen conditions. He higher the values of this ratio, the worse the ecological state of the environment in the bottom layers of water.