Effects of Thermal Pollution on the Soft-bottoms Surrounding a Power Station in the Canary Islands (ne Atlantic Ocean)

The spatial and temporal effects of hot seawater (60-70oC) from a power station on nearby soft-bottom communities were analyzed in the protected area “Sebadales del sur de Tenerife” (SE coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands, NE Atlantic Ocean). Sediment samples were taken during summer 2003 and winter 2004 from 12 to 20 m depth. The highest macrofaunal abundance and species richness were found in the turbines. A particular community, characterized by the polychaetes Aponuphis bilineata and sabellids of the genus Chone and the amphipod Photis longicaudata, inhabited the surroundings of the power station turbines, which differed from the remaining studied stations. The continuous current from sea effluent was the main responsible of the macrofaunal community structure in nearby sediments since no measurable responses to thermal disturbance were detected.