Meiofauna community structure in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass and non‐Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass

• Published in: Regional studies in marine science 2024-07, Vol.73, p.103375, Article 103375
• Main Authors: Jung, Min Gyu, Kim, Dongsung, Oh, Je Hyeok, Shin, Ayoung, Ra, Kongtae, Oh, Chulwoong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Community structure; Continental shelf; Meiofauna; Meiofauna Index; Yellow Sea; Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass
• ISSN: 2352-4855; 2352-4855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2024.103375

This study investigated meiofaunal community structure over a large area of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea for 45 stations from 2021 to 2022. Meiofaunal densities were 34 ± 15–1610 ± 378 ind./10 cm2. Nematodes (67.3%) were the most dominant taxa, followed by benthic foraminifera (12.0%) and benthic harpacticoids (8.8%). The study was conducted in various sedimentary environments. Median grain size, water depth, and environmental characteristics (TOC, TN, Hg, Sr) were identified as influencing meiofauna community structure. The Yellow Sea and East China Sea, where this study was conducted, contain a variety of currents and the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) in the central waters. YSCWM and non-YSCWM areas differed in their meiofauna community structure. Even within the YSCWM region, we found differences in benthic community structure due to a variety of environmental factors. The meiofaunal taxon most affected by Sediment temperature was benthic foraminifera. Identifying foraminifera in paleo-oceanographic environments can indicate past expansion and contraction of YSCWM. Meiofauna have been used to monitor changes in marine ecosystems due to their sensitivity to changes in the surrounding environment. Meiofauna index (N/C ratio, MPI) were identified as appropriate for use in the study area. •The meiofauna community structure differs between the YSCWM and non-YSCWM.•Meiofauna community varies with water temperature, TOC, and TN in the YSCWM.•The more sand and environmental factors in sediment, the higher meiofauna density.•The meiofaunal taxon most affected by bottom temperature was benthic foraminifera.