The effects of burrowing by the amphipod Corophium volutator on the ecology of intertidal sediments

A series of field and laboratory experiments were conducted in order to assess whether the burrow-dwelling amphipod Corophium volutator, is a significant bioturbator of intertidal mud and sand flats where it often occurs at densities of tens of thousands per square metre. Comparisons of sediment characteristics, redox potential and meio- and macrofaunal populations in treatments with enhanced, natural and reduced densities of Corophium revealed effects on sediment physico-chemistry and on small meiofaunal-sized species, but these were weak and not always consistent. High densities of adult Corophium consistently depressed the abundance of smaller conspecifics although the mechanism of this interaction has not been identified. The results are discussed in the context of the ability of Corophium to promote the recovery of organically enriched sediments.