The fauna of benthic sediments from the organically enriched Oslofjord, Norway

The macrobenthic fauna of the organically enriched Oslofjord was sampled in Sept.–Nov. 1977. Seventy-six stations were sampled using a stratified random plan. A total of 146 species were identified, dominated by polychaetes, molluscs and echinoderms. The faunal data were analysed by a variety of methods including diversity indices, log-normal distribution of individuals among species, factor analysis and numerical classification. The primary aim was the detection of pollution-induced disturbance and to delimit the extent of pollution on the benthic fauna of Oslofjord. All of the methods used showed a gradient from heavy pollution at the innermost part of the fjord where few species occurred, together with high dominance and low diversity, to normal unpolluted conditions at the Drobak sill with high species diversity. From the classification analysis a combination of both site and species data revealed a trend in species groupings which were broadly similar to data from other Scandinavian fjords and from Scotland. Hydrographical and biological data taken at the turn of the century and in the 1960's compared with the present data show declining conditions in Oslofjord, due primarily to organic enrichment combined with a naturally poor water exchange which leads to stagnation of the water mass.