Benthic macrofauna and sediment reworking quantification in contrasted environments in the Thau Lagoon

As part of the Microbent-PNEC Program: “Biogeochemical processes at the water–sediment interface in eutrophicated environment”, the aim of this work was to specifically investigate and quantify the relationships between macrobenthos and sediment reworking in the Thau Lagoon in order to provide information on the potential contaminant distribution and movements at the water–sediment interface. In order to achieve this, three cores were sampled at two stations (in the central part of the Thau Lagoon and near the shellfish farming zone) in the Thau Lagoon, in December 2001, April 2002, August 2002, January 2003 and May 2003. On the basis of quantification of macrobenthos and sediment reworking, evidence is provided of: (1) similar sediment mixing intensities for different species composition at the two stations; (2) the major role of functional bioturbation groups (e.g., biodiffusors and gallery-diffusors) modulated by seasonal variability on sediment mixing; (3) an increase of intensity in summer suggesting potentially different patterns of redistribution, bioaccumulation and chemical fate (e.g., speciation) of deposited contaminants.