Degradation of Benthos Redesignation for the Canadian Detroit River Area of Concern

Historically, pollution discharges from the heavily urbanized and industrialized shorelines of the Detroit River have contributed to the significant ecological degradation of the benthos community. Benthos are a group of organisms made up of aquatic worms, insects, and other invertebrates, which inhabit the bottom of lakes and rivers. Many benthos are a key source of food for fish, frogs, and other wildlife. Over the past two decades a series of intensive investigations into the sediment quality and benthos health of the Detroit River were conducted. Results of these studies showed that sediment contaminants declined steadily between 1999-2013 and that the vast majority of the Canadian side of the Detroit River showed minimal benthos impairment and potential for bioaccumulation. These results indicate that the benthos communities are now considered to have recovered to a point where they are no longer impaired in the Detroit River.

Видео Degradation of Benthos Redesignation for the Canadian Detroit River Area of Concern канала DetroitRiverCC