Macrobenthic ecological status assessment of Xiangshan Bay compared on different biotic indices

The investigations of macrobenthos and analysis of the surface sediments quality in Xiangshan Bay were done based on the data of two cruises in summer and winter of 2011 respectively.We posed an assessment on macrobenthic ecological status using Abundance/Biomass Curves (ABC), AZTI's Marine Biological Index (AMBI), Multivariate AZTI's Marine Biological Index (M-AMBI).Intercalibrate results of the assessment of different methods, in order to achieve better agreement between methods.In results, 67.7% of all stations were good and 32.3% moderately in summer, 2011.3.2% of all stations were high, 45.2% good, 45.2% moderately and 6.4% poor in winter.Results of M-AMBI, AMBI and ABC are correlated with each other significantly.Correlations are significant between results of ABC and environmental factors such as the petroleum and sulphide in surface sediments.Correlations are significant between AMBI index and TOC in surface sediments.Correlations are significant between M-AMBI index and the mercury in surface sediments.