The Marine Life Information Network

Substratum loss

Benchmark. All of the substratum occupied by the species or biotope under consideration is removed. A single event is assumed for sensitivity assessment. Once the activity or event has stopped (or between regular events) suitable substratum remains or is deposited. Species or community recovery assumes that the substratum within the habitat preferences of the original species or community is present. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx lives in the sediment and a loss of substratum would cause a loss of population. Therefore, an intolerance of high has been recorded. Recoverability has been recorded as high (see additional information below).

Smothering

Benchmark. All of the population of a species or an area of a biotope is smothered by sediment to a depth of 5 cm above the substratum for one month. Impermeable materials, such as concrete, oil, or tar, are likely to have a greater effect. Further details.

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx lives in the sediment and uses sediment grains to make its tube. It is likely that Spiophanes bombyx will be able to move up through any extra sediment, therefore, intolerance has been recorded as low. However, smothering by impermeable material is likely to result in anoxic conditions and have a greater impact.

Increase in suspended sediment

Benchmark. An arbitrary short-term, acute change in background suspended sediment concentration e.g., a change of 100 mg/l for one month. The resultant light attenuation effects are addressed under turbidity, and the effects of rapid settling out of suspended sediment are addressed under smothering. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx lives in the sediment and is unlikely to be perturbed by an increase in suspended sediment. Therefore, tolerant has been recorded.

Decrease in suspended sediment

Benchmark. An arbitrary short-term, acute change in background suspended sediment concentration e.g., a change of 100 mg/l for one month. The resultant light attenuation effects are addressed under turbidity, and the effects of rapid settling out of suspended sediment are addressed under smothering. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx is a surface deposit feeder and relies on a supply of nutrients at the sediment surface. A decrease in suspended sediment is likely to lead to a reduction in the amount of available food. A reduction in food availability may impair growth and reproduction but is unlikely to cause mortality. Intolerance has, therefore, been recorded as low. The benchmark states the decrease in siltation would only happen for a month. Once the level of suspended sediment increases normal feeding could resume and recoverability has therefore been recorded as immediate.

Desiccation

1. A normally subtidal, demersal or pelagic species including intertidal migratory or under-boulder species is continuously exposed to air and sunshine for one hour.
2. A normally intertidal species or community is exposed to a change in desiccation equivalent to a change in position of one vertical biological zone on the shore, e.g., from upper eulittoral to the mid eulittoral or from sublittoral fringe to lower eulittoral for a period of one year. Further details.

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx is an infaunal species and is therefore, likely to be protected from desiccation by water retained in the sediment. Spiophanes bombyx is found in the intertidal suggesting some level of tolerance to emersion of the substratum. If an individual was removed from the substratum and was unable to reburrow it is likely to result in mortality. Intertidal populations are likely to be adversely affected by an increase in desiccation equivalent to a movement from low to mid shore. Therefore, intolerance has been recorded as intermediate. A recoverability of high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Increase in emergence regime

Benchmark. A one hour change in the time covered or not covered by the sea for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

An increase in emergence will lead to an increase in desiccation stress. Spiophanes bombyx is found in the intertidal so may be tolerant to some emersion of the substratum. Spiophanes bombyx will probably retract into its tube to reduce the effects of desiccation. Intolerance has, therefore, been recorded as intermediate. A recoverability of high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Decrease in emergence regime

Benchmark. A one hour change in the time covered or not covered by the sea for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx is found subtidally and a decrease in emergence is unlikely to have any detrimental effects. It is possible that decreased emergence may allow the species to colonize further up the shore. Hence, not sensitve* has been recorded.

Increase in water flow rate

A change of two categories in water flow rate (view glossary) for 1 year, for example, from moderately strong (1-3 knots) to very weak (negligible). Further details

Evidence

A change in water flow rate will change sediment characteristics. An increase in water flow rate will increase deposits of coarser sediments. Spiophanes bombyx preferred substratum is fine sands, therefore a change in sediment characteristics may result in a reduced distribution and extent of the population. A recoverability of high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Decrease in water flow rate

A change of two categories in water flow rate (view glossary) for 1 year, for example, from moderately strong (1-3 knots) to very weak (negligible). Further details

Evidence

A change in water flow rate will change sediment characteristics. A decrease in water flow rate will increase the deposit of finer sediments. The preferred substratum of Spiophanes bombyx is finer sands, therefore, a change in the sediment characteristics may lead to an increase in the distribution and extent of the population. Therefore, tolerant* has been recorded.

Increase in temperature

1. A short-term, acute change in temperature; e.g., a 5°C change in the temperature range for three consecutive days. This definition includes ‘short-term’ thermal discharges.
2. A long-term, chronic change in temperature; e.g. a 2°C change in the temperature range for a year. This definition includes ‘long term’ thermal discharges.

For intertidal species or communities, the range of temperatures includes the air temperature regime for that species or community. Further details

Evidence

No information was found regarding the intolerance of Spiophanes bombyx to temperature. However, inferences can be made from its geographical distribution. Spiophanes bombyx is found in the Mediterranean (Hayward & Ryland, 1995), which is likely to be warmer than the waters around Britain and Ireland. Chronic temperature change is likely to have little, or no effect. An acute change in temperature at the benchmark level may cause physiological stress but is unlikely to lead to mortality. Intolerance has, therefore, been recorded as low. A recoverability of very high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Decrease in temperature

1. A short-term, acute change in temperature; e.g., a 5°C change in the temperature range for three consecutive days. This definition includes ‘short-term’ thermal discharges.
2. A long-term, chronic change in temperature; e.g. a 2°C change in the temperature range for a year. This definition includes ‘long term’ thermal discharges.

For intertidal species or communities, the range of temperatures includes the air temperature regime for that species or community. Further details

Evidence

No information was found regarding the intolerance of Spiophanes bombyx to temperature. However inferences can be made from its geographical distribution. Spiophanes bombyx is found in water off Denmark (Thorson, 1946) which are likely to be colder than British and Irish waters. Chronic temperature change is likely to have little, or no effect. An acute change in temperature at the benchmark level may result in physiological stress, but is unlikely to lead to mortality. Intolerance has, therefore, been recorded as low. A recoverability of very high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Increase in turbidity

1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., two categories of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one month, such as from medium to extreme turbidity.
2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., one category of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one year, such as from low to medium turbidity. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx is found in estuarine regions which experience high levels of turbidity. An increase in turbidity will lead to reduced light penetration of the water column. Spiophanes bombyx is not affected by light availability, therefore, tolerant has been recorded.

Decrease in turbidity

1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., two categories of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one month, such as from medium to extreme turbidity.
2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., one category of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one year, such as from low to medium turbidity. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx is not affected by light availability, therefore, tolerant has been recorded.

Increase in wave exposure

A change of two ranks on the wave exposure scale (view glossary) e.g., from Exposed to Extremely exposed for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx inhabits low energy depositional environments. An increase in wave exposure will lead to erosion of the substratum, which will alter the extent of suitable habitats available for Spiophanes bombyx. Intolerance has, therefore, been recorded as high. Recoverability has been recorded as high (see additional information below).

Decrease in wave exposure

A change of two ranks on the wave exposure scale (view glossary) e.g., from Exposed to Extremely exposed for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx occurs from sheltered to ultra sheltered habitats. A decrease in wave exposure is unlikely to adversely affect Spiophanes bombyx and, therefore, tolerant has been recorded.

Noise

1. Underwater noise levels e.g., the regular passing of a 30-metre trawler at 100 metres or a working cutter-suction transfer dredge at 100 metres for one month during important feeding or breeding periods.
2. Atmospheric noise levels e.g., the regular passing of a Boeing 737 passenger jet 300 metres overhead for one month during important feeding or breeding periods. Further details

Evidence

No information was found concerning intolerance of Spiophanes bombyx to noise. However, it is unlikely to be affected by noise and vibrations at the level of the benchmark.

Visual presence

Benchmark. The continuous presence for one month of moving objects not naturally found in the marine environment (e.g., boats, machinery, and humans) within the visual envelope of the species or community under consideration. Further details

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx inhabits a tube and its visual range is probably very limited. Not sensitive has, therefore, been recorded.

Abrasion & physical disturbance

Benchmark. Force equivalent to a standard scallop dredge landing on or being dragged across the organism. A single event is assumed for assessment. This factor includes mechanical interference, crushing, physical blows against, or rubbing and erosion of the organism or habitat of interest. Where trampling is relevant, the evidence and trampling intensity will be reported in the rationale. Further details.

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx is a soft bodied organism that exposes its palps at the surface while feeding. It lives infaunally in sandy sediment and any physical disturbance that penetrates the sediment, for example dredging or dragging an anchor, would lead to physical damage of Spiophanes bombyx. Bergman & Hup (1992) reported a 40-60% decrease in the total density of Spiophanes bombyx after 3 trawling events. Therefore, an intolerance of intermediate has been recorded. Hall et al. (1990) investigated the impact of hydraulic dredging for razor clams. They reported that any effects only persist for a short time, with the community restored after approximately 40 days. Similarly, Jennings & Kaiser (1995) suggested that the top few centimetres of the sediment were usually occupied by opportunistic species, such as spionids, capitellid polychaetes and amphipods, which were able to recolonize disturbed areas quickly. They further suggested that this surface community would probably recover within 6 -12 months. Therefore, a recoverability of very high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Displacement

Benchmark. Removal of the organism from the substratum and displacement from its original position onto a suitable substratum. A single event is assumed for assessment. Further details

Evidence

If Spiophanes bombyx is displaced from the substratum it is likely that it could burrow back into the sediment. It would however, be more susceptible to predation. Therefore, intolerance has been recorded as low. A recoverability of very high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Synthetic compound contamination

Sensitivity is assessed against the available evidence for the effects of contaminants on the species (or closely related species at low confidence) or community of interest. For example:

• evidence of mass mortality of a population of the species or community of interest (either short or long term) in response to a contaminant will be ranked as high sensitivity;
• evidence of reduced abundance, or extent of a population of the species or community of interest (either short or long term) in response to a contaminant will be ranked as intermediate sensitivity;
• evidence of sub-lethal effects or reduced reproductive potential of a population of the species or community of interest will be assessed as low sensitivity.

The evidence used is stated in the rationale. Where the assessment can be based on a known activity then this is stated. The tolerance to contaminants of species of interest will be included in the rationale when available; together with relevant supporting material. Further details.

Evidence

No information was found directly relating to the effects of synthetic chemicals on Spiophanes bombyx . However, there is evidence from other polychaete species. Collier & Pinn (1998) investigated the effect on the benthos of ivermectin, treatment for infestations of sea-lice on farmed salmonids. The ragworm Hediste diversicolor exhibited 100% mortality after 14 days when exposed to 8mg/m² of Ivermectin in a microcosm. The blow lug, Arenicola marina, was also intolerant of Ivermectin through ingestion of contaminated sediment (Thain et al., 1998; cited in Collier & Pinn 1998) and it was suggested that deposit feeding was an important route for exposure to toxins. Beaumont et al. (1989) investigated the effects of tri-butyl tin (TBT) on benthic organisms. At concentrations of 1-3µg/l there was no significant effect on the abundance of Hediste diversicolor or Cirratulus cirratus after 9 weeks in a microcosm. However, no juvenile polychaetes were retrieved from the substratum so TBT may have had an effect on the larval and/or juvenile stages of these polychaetes. The high mortality rate of polychaetes due to exposure to Ivermectin suggests a high intolerance to synthetic chemicals. Therefore, an intolerance of high has been recorded at a very low level of confidence. Recoverability has been recorded as high (see additional information below).

Heavy metal contamination

Evidence

No direct information was found regarding the intolerance of Spiophanes bombyx to heavy metals. However, Crompton (1997) suggests the following concentrations of heavy metals would result in the mortality of annelids after short term (4-14 days) exposure:

• Hg 0.1-1mg/l.
• Cu 0.01-0.1mg/l.
• Cd 1-10mg/l.
• Zn 1-10mg/l.
• Pb 0.1-1mg/l.
• Cr 0.1-1mg/l.
• As 1-10mg/l.
• Ni 10-100mg/l.

Bryan (1984) suggests polychaetes are fairly resistant to heavy metals, therefore, intolerance has been recorded as intermediate. A recoverability of high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Hydrocarbon contamination

Evidence

Generally soft sediment inhabitants, especially infaunal polychaetes, are particularly effected by oil pollution (Suchanek, 1993). Jacobs (1980) investigated the effects of the Amoco Cadiz oil spill in 1978. The numbers of spionidae polychaetes decreased after the spill. Capitellid polychaetes recovered very quickly, spionids took slightly longer but did recover quickly. Intolerance has, therefore, been recorded as intermediate. A recoverability of high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Radionuclide contamination

Evidence

No evidence was found regarding the intolerance of Spiophanes bombyx to radionuclide contamination.

Changes in nutrient levels

Evidence

Moderate nutrient levels may be beneficial to Spiophanes bombyx but increased nutrient enrichment may result in a community dominated by opportunist species (e.g. capitellids followed by spionids). This results in an increase of abundance but a decrease in species richness eventually leading to abiotic, anoxic sediments (Pearson & Rosenberg, 1978). Intolerance, has therefore been recorded as low. A recoverability of high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Increase in salinity

1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., a change of two categories from the MNCR salinity scale for one week (view glossary) such as from full to reduced.
2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., a change of one category from the MNCR salinity scale for one year (view glossary) such as from reduced to low. Further details.

Evidence

No information was found concerning the reaction of Spiophanes bombyx to hypersaline conditions (>40psu). It is unlikely that Spiophanes bombyx would experience hypersaline conditions, therefore, not relevant has been recorded.

Decrease in salinity

1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., a change of two categories from the MNCR salinity scale for one week (view glossary) such as from full to reduced.
2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., a change of one category from the MNCR salinity scale for one year (view glossary) such as from reduced to low. Further details.

Evidence

Spiophanes bombyx is a euryhaline species (Bailey-Brook, 1976; Maurer & Lethem, 1980), inhabiting fully saline and estuarine habitats. Intolerance has, therefore, been recorded as low, at the benchmark level.

Changes in oxygenation

Benchmark.  Exposure to a dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 mg/l for one week. Further details.

Evidence

Nierman et al. (1990) reported changes in a fine sand community for the German Bight in an area with regular seasonal hypoxia. In 1983, oxygen levels were exceptionally low <3mg O₂/l in large areas and < 1mg O₂/l in some areas. Species richness decrease by 30-50% and overall biomass fell. Spiophanes bombyx was found in small numbers at some, but not all areas, during the period of hypoxia. Once oxygen levels returned to normal Spiophanes bombyx increased in abundance. The benchmark is for 2mg O₂/l for 1 week. The evidence suggests that at least some Spiophanes bombyx would survive hypoxic conditions, therefore, intolerance has been recorded as intermediate. A recoverability of high has been recorded (see additional information below).

Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites

Benchmark. Sensitivity can only be assessed relative to a known, named disease, likely to cause partial loss of a species population or community. Further details.

Evidence

No information was found on diseases of Spiophanes bombyx.

Introduction of non-native species

Sensitivity assessed against the likely effect of the introduction of alien or non-native species in Britain or Ireland. Further details.

Evidence

No information was found on non-native species that may compete with Spiophanes bombyx.

Extraction of this species

Benchmark. Extraction removes 50% of the species or community from the area under consideration. Sensitivity will be assessed as 'intermediate'. The habitat remains intact or recovers rapidly. Any effects of the extraction process on the habitat itself are addressed under other factors, e.g. displacement, abrasion and physical disturbance, and substratum loss. Further details.

Evidence

No information was found that Spiophanes bombyx is extracted deliberately, therefore, not relevant has been recorded.

Extraction of other species

Benchmark. A species that is a required host or prey for the species under consideration (and assuming that no alternative host exists) or a keystone species in a biotope is removed. Any effects of the extraction process on the habitat itself are addressed under other factors, e.g. displacement, abrasion and physical disturbance, and substratum loss. Further details.

Evidence

Bergman & Hup (1992) found that there was a 40-60% decrease in the density of Spiophanes bombyx after beam trawling. Hall et al. (1990) investigated the impact of hydraulic dredging for razor clams. They reported that any effects only persist for a short time, after 40 days there was no significant difference in the infaunal community. Intolerance has therefore been recorded as intermediate. A recoverability of high has been recorded (see additional information below).