Establishing potential links between the presence of alkylphenolic compounds and the benthic community in a European river basin.

INTRODUCTION: Concentrations of alkylphenolic compounds (APCs) in water and sediments were related to the composition and functional descriptors of the benthic community (biofilm and macroinvertebrates).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were collected in four sampling campaigns at seven sampling points in the lower Llobregat catchment area (NE Spain). Water and sediment samples underwent chemical target analysis for nine APCs, which are known to disrupt the endocrine system. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: APCs were the main stressors on the diatom community but not on the macroinvertebrate community.
CONCLUSIONS: Benthic invertebrates were mostly affected by the general physicochemical water characteristics (where conductivity was a surrogate). Nonylphenol only had an influence on the diatom community in water but not in the remaining compartments, probably because of the low concentrations observed in the environment.