The response of deep-sea benthic communities (meio-and macrofaunal structure) to oxygen minimum layer in bathyal zone

Title: The response of deep-sea benthic communities (meio-and macrofaunal structure) to the oxygen minimum layer in the bathyal zone off Concepcion and monitoring the effects of the the ENSO over the shelf communities Two depth transects were taken, one off Concepcion (120-180m depth) and another of Callao, Peru (305-2000m) to determine the responses of the deep sea benthic communities to the Oxygen Minimum layer (OML).

Downslope effects of depth, sedimentary organic content and oxygenation were all taken into account to test the hypothesis that deep-sea benthic communities within the OML in the Humboldt current system present lower diversity and biomass as compared to communities subject to higher oxygen levels. The effects of the 1997-1998 El Nino and the ENSO cycle were also investigated.