Sediment macro- and meiobenthic fauna distribution along the Kenyan continental shelf

Abstract

Aims and scope: The Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science provides an avenue for the wide dissemination of high quality research generated in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, in particular on the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. This is central to the goal of supporting and promoting sustainable coastal development in the region, as well as contributing to the global base of marine science. The journal publishes original research articles dealing with all aspects of marine science and coastal management. Topics include, but are not limited to: theoretical studies, oceanography, marine biology and ecology, fisheries, recovery and restoration processes, legal and institutional frameworks, and interactions/relationships between humans and the coastal and marine environment. In addition, Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science features state-of-the-art review articles and short communications. The journal will, from time to time, consist of special issues on major events or important thematic issues.

Grain size analysis and total organic matter and carbonate contents of sediments on Saya de Malha and Nazareth Banks

“…9). A TOM of 3.17 % was recorded on the Kenyan shelf at a depth of 78 m (Mohamed et al, 2018) and similar values in the range of 2.6±0.64-8.1±7.01 % were found in Mida Creek in Kenya (Wafula et al, 2020).…”

“…The average TOM and CC on the Banks ranged from 2.1 to 7.7 % and from 53.9 to 58.3 %, respectively. The TOM estimated from sediments on the Banks falls in the same range of values as reported from the coastal waters of Kenya (Mohamed et al, 2018;Wafula et al, 2020). However, it is suspected that high TOM values > 7 % in the coarse sand range might be due to the formation of agglomerates during the drying procedures of sediments without any prewashing step.…”

“…The The relationship between TOM and grain size was described to be positively correlated with the fi ne grain size category in comparison with coarser grain sizes (Mohamed et al, 2018;Secrieru and Oaie, 2009).…”

Predicting large-scale spatial patterns of marine meiofauna: implications for environmental monitoring

“…The literature supports the association of these three benthic taxa with pelagic processes. Harpacticoid copepods are diatom feeders (Troch et al, 2005;Mascart et al, 2013;Urban-Malinga, 2014) and their abundances are often related to the phytopigments, organic matter, and bacteria in the sediment (Mohamed et al, 2018;Veit-Köhler et al, 2018;Pruski et al, 2021). Kinorhynchs feed mainly on detritus and diatoms and are generally associated with sediments with high organic matter content (Giere, 2009;Landers et al, 2020).…”