Findings of macrozoobenthos organisms in Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in summer 2021

Study Extent

All samples of macrozoobenthos were collected 24-31 July 2021 from coastal areas of 10 different water bodies within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Samples were collected from sand, silt and silty-sand bottom substrates and representatives of aquatic vegetation.

Sampling

Samples taken from the aquatic vegetation were collected by a hydrobiological net with mesh size 1 mm2. At each water body several collections were made to cover 1 sq.metre area. Average sampling depth was 0.5 meters. Samples taken from different bottom substrates were collected with dredgers with a working area of 100 cm2. The upper layer of the bottom sediments (up to 5 cm) was selected for the study. At each water body the sampling was performed at depths of 1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 meters. All samples were washed through a sieve with a mesh size of 1 mm2, fixed with a 10% formaldehyde solution and transported to the laboratory to determine the species composition. The database contains finds identified mostly to species. Geographical locations were indicated by GPS-navigator in decimal degrees according to the WGS84 system. The nomenclature follows the GBIF database.

Quality Control

The authors are fully responsible for the quality of data published within this dataset.

Method steps

1. Preliminary choosing of sampling stations.
2. Conducting of field trips to the sampling stations and collecting of samples according to sampling protocols.
3. Preserving of samples.
4. Species identification in laboratory conditions.
5. Georeferencing.
6. Organizing of the dataset according to Darwin Core standards.

The dataset consists of records of aquatic invertebrates or those invertebrates, that have at least one aquatic stage of ontogenesis.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Mollusca
   rank: phylum
3. Annelida
   rank: phylum
4. Arthropoda
   rank: phylum

The dataset represents records made within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Kyiv oblast', Ukraine.