Review status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal BG.
Persistent effects of sand extraction on habitats and associated benthic communities in the German Bight
Finn Mielck1,Rune Michaelis1,H. Christian Hass1,Sarah Hertel1,Caroline Ganal2,and Werner Armonies1Finn Mielck et al.Finn Mielck1,Rune Michaelis1,H. Christian Hass1,Sarah Hertel1,Caroline Ganal2,and Werner Armonies1
Received: 21 Jan 2020 – Accepted for review: 19 Feb 2020 – Discussion started: 20 Feb 2020
Abstract. Sea-level rise demands for protection measures of endangered coastlines crucial for the local population. At the island of Sylt in the SE North Sea, shoreline erosion is compensated by replenishment with sand dredged from an offshore excavation site. We studied the long-term effects of sand extraction on bathymetry, geomorphology, habitats, and benthic fauna. Hydroacoustic surveys revealed that changes of bathymetry and habitat characteristics caused by sand extraction can be still detected after > 35 years while the investigation of grab samples revealed persistent changes in sediment composition and benthic faunal composition. The comparison of recently dredged areas (< 10 years ago), recovery sites (dredging activity > 10 years ago) and undisturbed sites exposed significant differences in the number of individuals and species of macrozoobenthic organisms as well as in the mud content, indicating a persistent successional stage of the communities in the dredged areas. The slow backfill of the dredging pits results from low ambient sediment availability and relatively calm hydrodynamic conditions, despite high wave energy during storms. Based on current sedimentation rates, we conclude that a complete backfill of the deep excavation sites and re-establishment of the benthic communities is likely to take centuries in this area. Since re-establishment of the benthic communities depends on previous re-establishment of habitat characteristics, habitat mapping with remote sensing techniques is suggested as a cost-effective means to monitor the state of regeneration.
Marine sand mining becomes more and more important to nourish fragile coastlines that face the global change. We investigated the largest sand extraction site in the German Bight. The study reveals that after more than 35 years of mining, the excavation pits are still detectable on the seafloor while the sediment composion largly changed. The organic communities living in and on the seafloor were strongly decimated and no recovery is observable towards previous conditions.
Marine sand mining becomes more and more important to nourish fragile coastlines that face the...