ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF LA-QUINTA CHANNEL, CORPUS-CHRISTI BAY, TEXAS

Benthic invertebrate communities sampled during 1992 and 1993 from eac h of three stations in La Quinta Channel and Corpus Christi Bay were a nalyzed. Higher numbers of individuals were found in the top 3 cm at a ll stations during each sampling period. Biomass, however, was greater in the bottom (3-10 cm) sediment section. There were higher numbers o f species, greater species richness, and more evenness in La Quinta Ch annel than in Corpus Christi Bay. Both communities were dominated by d eeper-dwelling equilibrium species and the low abundance of pioneering species. The results of this study indicate that the sediments of La Quinta Channel differ little from those of Corpus Christi Bay. Results are consistent with findings that contamination concentrations are lo w in the La Quinta Channel when compared to those of Corpus Christi Ba y.