Benthic-pelagic exchange of microalgae at a tidal flat: 2. Taxonomic analysis

Benthic-pelagic exchange of microalgae at a tidal flat 2. Taxonomic analysis

Benthic-pelagic exchange of diatoms over a tidal cycle has been examined using a combination of field measurements and annular flume experiments. The relative contribution of benthic and planktonic species to water-column abundance and biomass has been estimated using taxonomic counts, and cell volu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) Vol. 212; pp. 39 - 52
Main Authors: Lucas, Cathy H., Banham, Clare, Holligan, Patrick M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Oldendorf Inter-Research 08-03-2001
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Bacillariophyta
Biddulphia
Biological and medical sciences
Biomass
Brackish water ecosystems
Carbon
chlorophyll a
Coscinodiscus
Diatoms
Estuaries
Flumes
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine
Microalgae
Navicula
Nitzschia
Ocean floor
Phytoplankton
Pigments
Rhizosolenia
Sediments
Synecology
Netherlands
Europe
ANE, Netherlands, Zeeland, Westerschelde
Brackish water environment
Algae
Interspecific comparison
Estuaries
Environmental factor
Suspension
Flume
Pelagic zone
Heterokontophyta
Tide effect
Bacillariophyta
Spatial distribution
Vertical circulation
Seasonal variation
Phytoplankton
Flow velocity
Thallophyta
Ecological abundance
Benthic zone
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Benthic-pelagic exchange of diatoms over a tidal cycle has been examined using a combination of field measurements and annular flume experiments. The relative contribution of benthic and planktonic species to water-column abundance and biomass has been estimated using taxonomic counts, and cell volume to carbon conversions. In June, peaks in chlorophylla(chla) biomass occurred either side of the high-water slack period, which corresponded with increased abundance of benthic diatoms, as well as the large centric diatomCoscinodiscusspp. In numerical terms, benthic diatoms accounted for, on average, 15 to 42% of total diatom abundance over the flood-ebb period, whileCoscinodiscusspp. accounted for 12 to 17% in June and 3% in late August. Because of the large size of planktonic forms (e.g.,Coscinodiscusspp.,Rhizosoleniaspp.,Biddulphiaspp.) compared with the small benthicNitzschiaandNaviculaspecies, the contribution of benthic diatoms was significantly lower in terms of biomass. The average contribution of benthic diatoms to total diatom carbon was <1% in June, but up to 25% in late August. In contrast, the relative contribution ofCoscinodiscusspp. was ~90% in June and 73 to 80% in late August. The flume experiments confirmed that, in addition to increased benthic abundance in response to stepwise increases in current velocity, the large centric diatomCoscinodiscusspp. was also resuspended from sediments at high current velocities. At low current velocities, these cells rapidly sank to the seabed, the rate probably enhanced by deposition of sand grains out of the water column. Ecological implications related to water-column biomass and production, macro-infauna diet, and composition of benthic chlaare discussed.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ObjectType-Article-2
ObjectType-Feature-1
ISSN:0171-8630
1616-1599
DOI:10.3354/meps212039