Impact of treated sewage on meiobenthic nematodes: a case study from the Tunisian Refining Industries Company

Abstract The main objective of the current study was to assess impact water taken from ‘Tunisian Refining Industries Company’ on meiobenthic nematodes, before and after a series treatments in decantation basins followed by its discharge Bizerte bay, Tunisia. comparison environmental parameters two types clearly indicative an improvement quality treated waters significant reduction their loads hydrocarbons. Overall, retained good being sea. At end experiment, differential responses were observed according richness sediment organic matter Thus, it apparent that nematode assemblage exposed closer controls associated higher values abundance, than under untreated ones. It also assumed species Microlaimus honestus De Man, 1922, Paramonohystera proteus Wieser, 1956 Cyartonema germanicum Juario, 1972 are sensitive bioindicators bad statues hydrocarbon presence environment. On other hand, Metoncholaimus pristiurus (Zur Strassen, 1894) Filipjev, 1918 would rather be classified as positive bioindicative this type pollutants.