Multivariate methods and artificial neural networks in the assessment of the response of infaunal assemblages to sediment metal contamination and organic enrichment

► SOM neural network was used to assess infauna response to sediment metals. ► SOM together with K-means yielded similar results to traditional multivariate methods. ► Less analytical and interpretational effort was required with the SOM approach. ► SOMs are a promising tool for the assessment of ecological quality of infauna.