Epifauna

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004022",
  "term": "Epifauna",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "Aquatic animals, such as barnacles, mussels, or starfish, that live on the surface of a substrate like rock, sediment, or another organism, without burrowing into it. These organisms inhabit the surface of the seabed, lake floor, or riverbed, or attach to submerged objects and vegetation. In contrast to infauna, which live within the substrate, epifaunal communities are directly exposed to the overlying water column and its currents.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "infauna",
    "soil"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2009, 81, 829. 'Glossary of terms used in ecotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2009)' on page 879 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-08-07-09)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/epifauna/"
}