Ecological status assessment based on benthic macrofauna of three Mediterranean ports: Comparisons across seasons, activities and regions

The present study aimed to compare anthropogenic impacts in three Mediterranean ports (Cagliari-Italy, Heraklion-Greece, El-Kantatoui-Tunisia) employing benthic macrofaunal indices, used in the context of the European Water Framework Directive. Sampling stations were selected within ports according to sector usage categorization and sampled over three seasons. Benthic indices calculated include M-AMBI, BENTIX, BQI and BQI_Family. Comparisons were made between the indices values and ecological status (ES) of each station within and between ports. Overall, few statistically significant differences were observed across different seasons or different stations with the same usage within or across ports. The ES of sampling stations in the leisure/fishing and passenger/cargo ships sectors was mostly “good” or “moderate”, while the shipyard sector had “poor” ES. The results suggest that the indices used were suitable for assessing the ES of Mediterranean ports, led to comparable results even across different countries and contribute to the adaptation of specific port monitoring guidelines. •Ecological status assessment of three Mediterranean ports using benthic indices•Samples were taken from different port sectors with specific usage activities.•Port sector usage was the most important factor influencing the ecological status.•Sectors with similar usage had the same status even across different regions of ports.•Port monitoring recommendations based on WFD protocols are provided.