Effects of tidal currents on chlorophyll a content of sandy sediments in the southern North Sea

Observations of high growth rates among benthic species living on sandy bottoms in turbulent areas of the southern North Sea suggested the hypothesis that transient deposition of suspended organic matter during period of slack current might provide a food source for these animals. Over a 24 h period...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) 1985-01, Vol.21 (3), p.283-287
Main Authors: Jenness, M. I., Duineveld, G. C. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Benthic zone
Chlorophylls
Food security
Food supply
Marine
Ocean currents
Ocean floor
RESEARCH PAPERS
Sea water
Seas
Sediments
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Observations of high growth rates among benthic species living on sandy bottoms in turbulent areas of the southern North Sea suggested the hypothesis that transient deposition of suspended organic matter during period of slack current might provide a food source for these animals. Over a 24 h period, changes in chlorophyll levels in the water, on the sediment surface, and in 3 sediment layers were measured. The results not only confirmed the hypothesis, but also revealed that with each tidal cycle, high levels of chlorophyll were alternately being buried in the sediment (to a depth of 5 cm) and then resuspended. Laboratory experiments suggest that the mechanism by which this occurs is related to the formation of sand ripples on the sediment surface. Various implication of these findings are discussed.
ISSN:0171-8630
1616-1599
DOI:10.3354/meps021283