Effects of thermal pollution on the soft-bottoms surrounding a power station in the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic ocean)

The spatial and temporal effects of hot seawater (60–70°C) from a power station on nearby soft-bottom communities were analyzed in the protected area “Sebadales del sur de Tenerife” (SE coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands, NE Atlantic Ocean). The samples were taken during summer 2003 and winter 2004 from 12 to 20 m depth. The highest macrofaunal abundance and species diversity were found in the turbines. A specific community, characterized by the polychaetes Aponuphis bilineata and sabellids of the genus Chone and the amphipod Photis longicaudata, inhabited the surroundings of the power station turbines. Permanent current from sea effluent had majok impact over the macrofaunal community structure of the neighbouring bottom where no measurable responses to thermal disturbance were detected.