Vol. 43 No. 2, 2004

An Overview of the Impacts of Eutrophication and Chemical Pollutants on Copepods of the Coastal Zone

Nancy Marcus

Department of Oceanography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA

Nancy Marcus (2004) During the last three decades, coastal zones around the globe have shown increasing evidence of degradation, primarily due to human activities. Eutrophication resulting from increased nutrient input and chemical pollution (e.g., heavy metals, organochlorine compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) from point and non-point sources are among the most serious threats to the health of coastal marine communities. This article summarizes our understanding of the impacts of eutrophication and chemical pollution on copepods with specific attention to those species that reside in the water column as nauplii, copepodites, and adults. Consideration is also given to the impact of these stressors on copepod resting eggs and the resulting population dynamics of the species. Based on the information available to date, future studies must address the sublethal effects that occur in response to chronic, low-dosage stressors and the impacts of multiple stressors working in concert. While every effort should be made to reduce degradation of marine environments, some evidence exists which suggests that copepods are capable of acclimating/adapting to some stressors, and that population levels may eventually return to prestress levels.

Key words: Copepods, Eutrophication, Pollution, Sublethal.

*Correspondence: E-mail: marcus@ocean.fsu.edu