The physical–chemical environment and benthic invertebrate assemblages of two thermal springs located on carbonate and ophiolite rocks in northern Oman

The paper compares the physical and chemical environments and associated benthic invertebrate assemblages of two thermal streams with different geology in Oman. Nakhal Thawarah is a thermal spring originating in carbonate rocks. Mur-Fayha has its origin in igneous ophiolite rocks. The main physical and chemical parameters that contribute to the differences are water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, sulphate, calcium and magnesium. Two zones in each spring-stream system, the source and stretch analysed, reveal intra- and interstream differences in the physical and chemical environments controlling the occurrence and abundance of benthic invertebrates. Despite higher water temperatures, the diversity of benthic invertebrates in Nakhal Thawarah is relatively high. Mur-Fayha with high alkalinity is a harsh environment that has low diversity dominated by tolerant Chironomidae. This study indicates the need to conserve thermal springs in Oman from adverse effects of tourism

Alkalinity · Benthic zone · Carbonate · Geochemistry · Hydrology (agriculture) · Invertebrate · Spring (device) · STREAMS · Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics · Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior · Chemistry · Ecology · Environmental Science · Geology · Oceanography · Water Quality and Pollution Assessment