STRUCTURE OF NEMATOFAUNA AND SEDIMENTARY CHARACTERISTICS IN URBAN BEACHES ON THE COAST OF PERNAMBUCO

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the qualitative and quantitative temporal variations of the meiofauna, with emphasis on the Nematoda taxon, in urban sandy beaches, evaluating its potential as a bioindicator. Samples were collected from Boa Viagem and Pina beaches, located in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, during the dry and rainy seasons, between November 2024 and May 2025. Sediment samples were subjected to meiofauna extraction, sorting, granulometric analysis, and statistical data analysis. A total of 13,854 organisms belonging to six taxa were recorded, with the Nematoda taxon predominating (99.54%) and being classified as the principal group. nematofauna density varied between the beaches and was associated with sediment characteristics, which were predominantly composed of coarse and very coarse sand. In addition, microplastics were detected in all analyzed samples. The results demonstrate the high representativeness of nematofauna on sandy beaches and highlight its potential as a bioindicator for assessing the environmental quality of coastal ecosystems.