Phospholipid ester fatty acids (PLFA) in bottom trawling fishing areas in the gulf of California

Abstract

Wastes from bottom trawling fisheries that flow directly into the environment can have an important effect on the function of sedimentary ecosystems [1,2]. In this study, we analyze the composition of fatty acid of phospholipid esters (PLFA) and the environmental impact conclusions based on sedimentological (CaCO3, grain size), and sedimentary organic matter geochemical data (δ13C, δ15N, C/N) in pristine areas and bottom trawling fisheries areas of Sonora and Sinaloa in the Gulf of California, Mexico [4]. While the PLFA ratios (∑ monounsaturated/ ∑ branched and iso+anteisoC15/C16) [5,6] showed statistically significant differences indicating oxic/anoxic sedimentary environments. The multivariate analysis of sedimentological and geochemical data showed no significant differences between pristine and impacted areas. These results lead to the conclusion that the ecosystem under the effect of the waste produced by bottom trawling fisheries in the Gulf of California can absorb this impact [4]. Our results show that PLFAs are highly sensitive to the impact of bottom trawl fisheries because they indicate predominantly anoxic bacterial biomass in areas influenced by fisheries waste. The distinct microbial community composition in trawling affected stations compared to pristine can explain the PLFA of the functional groups of microorganisms.