Bioturbation potential of a macrofaunal community in Bohai Bay, northern China.

The bioturbation potential of macrobenthos communities (BPc) is an important parameter in marine ecology. Based on macrobenthos field surveys, BPc values were estimated in Bohai Bay, China. The horizontal distribution of BPc values changed across seasons while showing a certain level of continuity over time. The maximum BPc value was recorded in summer while the minimum occurred in winter. Although only a few environmental variables showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlation with BPc, about 20 environmental variables exhibited a moderate correlation with BPc (0.3 < r < 0.5). The depth of the redox potential discontinuity (RPD) measured in situ changed across seasons, and the biogenic mixing depth values derived from the BPc index exhibited a relationship with the lowest RPD depth measurements. Our results suggest that the RPD depth can be predicted from BPc values, thereby showcasing a useful application of the BPc index in marine benthic pollution and environmental management research.