The Role of Sediments in the Survival of Benthic Organisms

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 01 | Page : 60 69
    By

    Babu-Davies O.A,

  • AnwuriP.A,

  • Deekae S.N,

  • Atemie. A.B.,

  1. Professor, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, , Nigeria
  2. Research Scholar, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, , Nigeria
  3. Professor, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, , Nigeria
  4. Research Scholar, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, , Nigeria

Abstract

Sediments are soil-based mineral matter, decomposing organic and inorganic substances that can be carried away by water, wind, or ice. The benthic organisms reside on or in the bottom part of the sediment of a water body. This review assesses the positive and negative impacts of sediments on the aquatic environment, benthic flora and fauna survival, and factors affecting sediment load of water, some listed physicochemical parameters of sediments, and some studies on sediment qualities on benthic organisms. Positive impact of sediments on benthic organisms includes provision of nursery and breeding grounds for aquatic organisms, provision of habitat for aquatic organisms, nutrient recycling, source of food to aquatic biota, reservoir for contaminants, etc. Excessive deposition of sediments on a water body can significantly deteriorate water quality, make the water murky, loss of the fauna community, and subsequent colonization by pioneer species in the affected water body when it exceeds a natural threshold. Factors that affect the state of sediment load variations include relief, channel slope, basin size, rain seasonality, tectonic, and anthropogenic activities. The study recommends cautious mitigation of human activities that alter sedimentation, leading to reduced levels of sediments and enhancing the survival and diversity of benthic organisms

Keywords: Benthic Flora and Fauna, Negative Impacts, Positive Impacts and Sediment Load

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences ]

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How to cite this article:
Babu-Davies O.A, AnwuriP.A, Deekae S.N, Atemie. A.B.. The Role of Sediments in the Survival of Benthic Organisms. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences. 2025; 15(01):60-69.
How to cite this URL:
Babu-Davies O.A, AnwuriP.A, Deekae S.N, Atemie. A.B.. The Role of Sediments in the Survival of Benthic Organisms. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences. 2025; 15(01):60-69. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjols/article=2025/view=201535


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 15
Issue 01
Received 11/01/2025
Accepted 04/02/2025
Published 21/02/2025
Publication Time 41 Days
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