Microphytobenthos contribution to nutrient-phytoplankton dynamics in a shallow coastal lagoon

Webster, Ian T.; Ford, Phillip W.; Hodgson, Bruce

doi:10.1007/bf02804889

Cited by 42 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Finally, we note that 2 of the 3 highest values for microphytobenthos PP illustrated in Fig. 5 were derived by Webster et al (2002) from their model.…”

Section: Shallow Mud Flatsmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…Available light and light extinction data are discussed above, for the plankton PP. The model we employed is adapted from Webster et al (2002) for microphytobenthos and is structurally similar to the model employed for the plankton. This model gives a PP in excess of 300 mmol m -2 d -1 for benthic microalgae living in a mean water depth of 1 m. While we believe that such a model has promise, we are skeptical of the results.…”

Section: Shallow Mud Flatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Benthic metabolism in San Quintin Bay, Baja California, Mexico

Ibarra-Obando

Smith²,

Poumian-Tapia³

et al. 2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Finally, we note that 2 of the 3 highest values for microphytobenthos PP illustrated in Fig. 5 were derived by Webster et al (2002) from their model.…”

Section: Shallow Mud Flatsmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Shallow Mud Flatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benthic metabolism in San Quintin Bay, Baja California, Mexico

Ibarra-Obando

Smith²,

Poumian-Tapia³

et al. 2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Sundbäck et al , 2004. Microphytobenthos may fully utilise nutrients for growth in daylight , Webster et al 2002, Sundbäck et al 2004, fix nitrogen (Newell et al 2002), and increase the cohesiveness of the sediments, thereby reducing resuspension (Delgado et al 1991, Stal 1994. However, the presence of benthic animals can also be an important part of the nutrient dynamics of an estuary (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benthic nutrient fluxes along an estuarine gradient: influence of the pinnid bivalve Atrina zelandica in summer

Gibbs¹,

Funnell²,

Pickmere³

et al. 2005

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Benthic nutrient fluxes (BNF) can supply 30 to 100% of the nutrient requirements of benthic and pelagic algae in an estuary, and can, thus, potentially sustain benthic and pelagic primary production within the estuarine food web. While BNF can be influenced by microbial processes, epibenthic suspension-feeding bivalves have the potential to alter fluxes by their influence on the community composition of surrounding macrofauna and benthic boundary conditions, and their feeding activities. In Mahurangi Harbour, New Zealand, the large suspension feeding pinnid Atrina zelandica (hereafter referred to as Atrina) occupies large areas of the harbour floor. Consequently, Atrina have the potential to substantially influence the BNF and, thus, primary production, and the food supply to the filter feeding community within the harbour, including the rack-farmed Pacific oyster aquaculture industry. Mahurangi Harbour is almost always isohaline, but exhibits a strong gradient in suspended sediment concentration, which declines from head to mouth. As Atrina increase their rate of pseudofaeces production with increases in suspended sediment concentration, we conducted in situ light and dark paired benthic chamber experiments with and without Atrina at 4 stations along this turbidity gradient, to determine their effect on BNF. Our results showed substantially greater BNF from Atrina beds than bare sediments. We also found greater net BNF (difference between Atrina beds and bare sediment) in the less turbid water under dark conditions, but enhanced water column nutrient supply in the more turbid water in light, due to Atrina excretion of ammoniacal nitrogen . On an areal basis, we estimate that BNF from Atrina beds may account for up to 80% of the nutrient supply for pelagic primary production and, thus, they are of major importance to the sustainability of aquaculture in this harbour. KEY WORDS: Benthic nutrient flux · Benthic chambers · Estuarine turbidity gradient · Atrina zelandica · Microphytobenthos Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMar Ecol Prog Ser 288: [151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161][162][163][164] 2005 important part of the nutrient dynamics of an estuary (e.g. Newell et al. 2002).Bioturbation and grazing pressure by macrofauna can destabilise the sediments (de Deckere et al. 2001), stimulating microbial activity and enhancing denitrification (Gilbert et al. 1998). However, the presence of large benthic animals may also stabilise the sediments, and affect the composition and functioning of macrofaunal communities (Cummings et al. 1998, Ellis et al. 2000, Norkko et al. 2001, Reise 2002. Abundant suspension-feeders may build loose hummocks, multi-species epibenthic thickets or solid reefs, accommodating diverse epibenthic assemblages. Their raised and rough surfaces alter benthic boundary conditions (Green et al. 1998) and, hence, turbulence (Reise 2002), while their biodeposits may enrich the sediments and smother the microphytobenthos. Bel...

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“…Thus, the nutrient supplied by SGD enables a higher primary productivity, namely of microphytobenthos and phytoplankton, which may be nutrient limited (Webster et al, 2002). Bacteria, microphytobenthos and phytoplankton are all food sources for softbottom meiofauna (Rudnick et al, 1985;Sundbäck et al, 1996;Ólafsson and Elmgren, 1997;Coull, 1999) and thus higher food availability due to higher nutrient supply, especially during spring, would explain the higher diversity of meiofauna observed.…”

Section: à2mentioning

confidence: 95%