Distribution of Sedimentary Pigments and Macrozoobenthos in the Deepwater Part of the Rybinsk Reservoir

Abstract

The spatial, seasonal, and interannual variability of content of sedimentary pigments and biomass of macrozoobenthos in the Rybinsk Reservoir (Russia) are analyzed on the basis of studies performed in 2009–2015. Specific features of the macrozoobenthos distribution depending on the characteristics of biotopes, including the content of sedimentary pigments, water depth, and water content in bottom sediments and their air-dry volumetric mass, are revealed. Correlation and principal-component analyses revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between the biomass of macrozoobenthos and the sum content of sedimentary chlorophyll a and pheopigments.