Use of an Annelid Pollution Index for monitoring a moderately polluted littoral zone

After two sampling surveys, in 1974–1975 and 1984, and with the use of an Annelid Pollution Index, the existence of a degraded Cystoseira stricta community has been established. The community studied was present on superficial rocky substrates on the French Mediterranean coast in unpolluted or moderately polluted zones although, for the latter, pollution reduction measures had been put into effect. The most polluted station in 1984 was close to the effluent of a coastal village sewage treatment plant.