Primary Production and Respiration in Pelagic and Benthic Communities at Two Intertidal Sites in the Upper Bay of Fundy

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (S1) ◽  
pp. s229-s243 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. T. Hargrave ◽  
N. J. Prouse ◽  
G. A. Phillips ◽  
P. A. Neame
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Benthic Microalgae ◽  
Phytoplankton Production ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Intertidal Sediments ◽  
Benthic Primary Production ◽  
Benthic Respiration ◽  
Undisturbed Sediments

Primary production by microalgae on intertidal sediments during ebb tide at two sites in Cumberland and Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy, amounted to 47–83 g C∙m−2∙yr−1 Phytoplankton production measured during flood tide over intertidal sediments in Cumberland Basin varied from 4–10 g C∙m−2∙yr−1 with respiration in the water column between 6 and 12 g∙C∙m−2∙yr−1 depending on concentrations of suspended matter. Respiration by undisturbed sediments (47–62 g C∙m−2∙yr−1) was measured at both locations to estimate aerobic metabolic consumption of organic matter.Maximum rates of benthic primary production occurred during early and late summer at both locations but Values at the Cumberland Basin sites were two to three times greater than those observed in Minas Basin; Chlorophyll a in surface sediments was also lower at the stations in Minas Basin where coarser grained deposits reflect extensive sediment transport. Annual benthic respiration at the two stations in Cumberland Basin, however, was only slightly greater than that at four stations in Minas Basin. Spartina marshes, phytoplankton, and benthic microalgae may provide supplies of organic matter for aerobic consumption in these intertidal sediments which are more similar than are measures of benthic primary production.Key words: benthic microalgae, primary production, intertidal community metabolism, Bay of Fundy

scholarly journals Light availability in the coastal ocean: impact on the distribution of benthic photosynthetic organisms and contribution to primary production

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 895-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-P. Gattuso ◽  
B. Gentili ◽  
C. M. Duarte ◽  
J. A. Kleypas ◽  
J. J. Middelburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Coastal Zone ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Coastal Ocean ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
Primary Producers ◽  
Benthic Primary Production ◽  
Photosynthetic Organisms

Abstract. One of the major features of the coastal zone is that part of its sea floor receives a significant amount of sunlight and can therefore sustain benthic primary production by seagrasses, macroalgae, microphytobenthos and corals. However, the contribution of benthic communities to the primary production of the global coastal ocean is not known, partly because the surface area where benthic primary production can proceed is poorly quantified. Here, we use a new analysis of satellite (SeaWiFS) data collected between 1998 and 2003 to estimate, for the first time at a nearly global scale, the irradiance reaching the bottom of the coastal ocean. The following cumulative functions provide the percentage of the surface of the coastal zone receiving an irradiance greater than Ez: PaNon-polar=28.80−16.69 log10(Ez)+0.84 log102(Ez)+0.83 log103(Ez) PaArctic=16.01−15.67 log10(Ez)+2.03 log102(Ez)+1.00 log103(Ez) Data on the constraint of light availability on the major benthic primary producers and net primary production are reviewed. Some photosynthetic organisms can grow deeper than the nominal bottom limit of the coastal ocean (200 m). The minimum irradiance required varies from 0.4 to 5.1 mol photons m−2 d−1 depending on the group considered. The daily compensation irradiance of benthic communities ranges from 0.24 to 4.4 mol photons m−2 d−1. Data on benthic irradiance and light requirements are combined to estimate the surface area of the coastal ocean where (1) light does not limit the distribution of primary producers and (2) net community production (NCP, the balance between gross primary production and respiration) is positive. Positive benthic NCP can occur over 37% of the global shelf area. The limitations of this approach, related to the spatial resolution of the satellite data, the parameterization used to convert reflectance data to irradiance, and the relatively limited biological information available, are discussed.

scholarly journals Light availability in the coastal ocean: impact on the distribution of benthic photosynthetic organisms and their contribution to primary production

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-P. Gattuso ◽  
B. Gentili ◽  
C. M. Duarte ◽  
J. A. Kleypas ◽  
J. J. Middelburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Coastal Zone ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Coastal Ocean ◽  
Net Community Production ◽  
Benthic Primary Production ◽  
Photosynthetic Organisms ◽  
Community Production

Abstract. One of the major features of the coastal zone is that part of its sea floor receives a significant amount of sunlight and can therefore sustain benthic primary production by seagrasses, macroalgae, microphytobenthos and corals. However, the contribution of benthic communities to the primary production of the global coastal ocean is not known, partly because the surface area where benthic primary production can proceed is poorly quantified. Here, we use a new analysis of satellite (SeaWiFS) data collected between 1998 and 2003 to estimate, for the first time at a nearly global scale, the irradiance reaching the bottom of the coastal ocean. The following cumulative functions provide the percentage of the surface (S) of the coastal zone receiving an irradiance greater than Ez (in mol photons m−2 d−1): SNon-polar = 29.61 − 17.92 log10(Ez) + 0.72 log102(Ez) + 0.90 log103(Ez) SArctic = 15.99 − 13.56 log10(Ez) + 1.49 log102(Ez) + 0.70 log103(Ez) Data on the constraint of light availability on the major benthic primary producers and net community production are reviewed. Some photosynthetic organisms can grow deeper than the nominal bottom limit of the coastal ocean (200 m). The minimum irradiance required varies from 0.4 to 5.1 mol photons m−2 d−1 depending on the group considered. The daily compensation irradiance of benthic communities ranges from 0.24 to 4.4 mol photons m−2 d−1. Data on benthic irradiance and light requirements are combined to estimate the surface area of the coastal ocean where (1) light does not limit the distribution of primary producers and (2) net community production (NCP, the balance between gross primary production and community respiration) is positive. Positive benthic NCP can occur over 33% of the global shelf area. The limitations of this approach, related to the spatial resolution of the satellite data, the parameterization used to convert reflectance data to irradiance, the lack of global information on the benthic nepheloid layer, and the relatively limited biological information available, are discussed.

scholarly journals Assessing biomass and primary production of microphytobenthos in depositional coastal systems using spectral information

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascalle Jacobs ◽  
Jaime Pitarch ◽  
Jacco C. Kromkamp ◽  
Catharina J.M. Philippart
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Benthic Microalgae ◽  
List Type ◽  
Benthic Primary Production ◽  
Coastal Systems ◽  
Benthic Biomass ◽  
Summer Temperatures

ABSTRACTIn depositional intertidal coastal systems, primary production is dominated by benthic microalgae (microphytobenthos) inhabiting the mudflats. This benthic productivity is supporting secondary production and supplying important services to humans including food provisioning. Increased frequencies of extreme events in weather (such as heatwaves, storm surges and cloudbursts) are expected to strongly impact the spatiotemporal dynamics of the microphytobenthos and subsequently their contribution to coastal food webs. Within north-western Europe, the years 2018 and 2019 were characterized by record-breaking summer temperatures and accompanying droughts. Field-calibrated satellite data (Sentinel 2) were used to quantify the seasonal dynamics of microphytobenthos biomass and production at an unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution during these years. We demonstrate that the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) should be used with caution in depositional coastal intertidal systems, because it may reflect import of remains of allochthonous pelagic productivity rather than local benthic biomass. We show that the reduction in summer biomass of the benthic microalgae cannot be explained by grazing but was most probably due to the high temperatures. The fivefold increase in salinity from January to September 2018, resulting from reduced river run-off during this exceptionally dry year, cannot have been without consequences for the vitality of the microphytobenthos community and its resistance to wind stress and cloud bursts. Comparison to historical information revealed that primary productivity of microphytobenthos may vary at least fivefold due to variations in environmental conditions. Therefore, ongoing changes in environmental conditions and especially extreme events because of climate change will not only lead to changes in spatiotemporal patterns of benthic primary production but also to changes in biodiversity of life under water and ecosystem services including food supply. Satellite MPB data allows for adequate choices in selecting coastal biodiversity conservation and coastal food supply.HIGHLIGHTSExpected seasonality changes require large-scale and high-resolution coastal dataNDVI of tidal flats reflects local benthic biomass and allochthonous phytoplanktonHigh summer temperatures reduced biomass and productivity of benthic microalgaeLong-term data revealed a five-fold variation in MPB biomass and productionSatellite MPB data allow for adequate conservation of coastal biodiversity

Contribution of benthic microalgae to ice covered coastal ecosystems in northern Hokkaido, Japan

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. McMinn ◽  
T. Hirawake ◽  
T. Hamaoka ◽  
H. Hattori ◽  
M. Fukuchi
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Photosynthetic Activity ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Benthic Microalgae ◽  
Pulse Amplitude Modulation ◽  
Ice Algae ◽  
Pam Fluorometry ◽  
Sea Ice Algae ◽  
Shallow Seas

Benthic microalgal communities usually make a major contribution to the primary production of estuaries and shallow seas. Pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry was used to investigate the contribution of benthic microalgae to the primary production of the Okhotsk Sea coast and Saroma Ko Lagoon in northern Hokkaido. In general the benthic communities had a relatively high biomass but low photosynthetic activity. This led to estimates of 29·2% and 64·5% for the benthic contributions for the 9 m and 3 m depth sites at Mombetsu and 13·1% for Saroma Ko. Sea ice algae provided the greatest contribution at Saroma Ko.

scholarly journals Assessing biomass and primary production of microphytobenthos in depositional coastal systems using spectral information

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0246012
Author(s):  
Pascalle Jacobs ◽  
Jaime Pitarch ◽  
Jacco C. Kromkamp ◽  
Catharina J. M. Philippart
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Benthic Microalgae ◽  
Benthic Primary Production ◽  
Coastal Systems

In depositional intertidal coastal systems, primary production is dominated by benthic microalgae (microphytobenthos) inhabiting the mudflats. This benthic productivity is supporting secondary production and supplying important services to humans including food provisioning. Increased frequencies of extreme events in weather (such as heatwaves, storm surges and cloudbursts) are expected to strongly impact the spatiotemporal dynamics of the microphytobenthos and subsequently their contribution to coastal food webs. Within north-western Europe, the years 2018 and 2019 were characterized by record-breaking summer temperatures and accompanying droughts. Field-calibrated satellite data (Sentinel 2) were used to quantify the seasonal dynamics of microphytobenthos biomass and production at an unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution during these years. We demonstrate that the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) should be used with caution in depositional coastal intertidal systems, because it may reflect import of remains of allochthonous pelagic productivity rather than local benthic biomass. We show that the reduction in summer biomass of the benthic microalgae cannot be explained by grazing but was most probably due to the high temperatures. The fivefold increase in salinity from January to September 2018, resulting from reduced river run-off during this exceptionally dry year, cannot have been without consequences for the vitality of the microphytobenthos community and its resistance to wind stress and cloud bursts. Comparison to historical information revealed that primary productivity of microphytobenthos may vary at least fivefold due to variations in environmental conditions. Therefore, ongoing changes in environmental conditions and especially extreme events because of climate change will not only lead to changes in spatiotemporal patterns of benthic primary production but also to changes in biodiversity of life under water and ecosystem services including food supply. Satellite MPB data allows for adequate choices in selecting coastal biodiversity conservation and coastal food supply.

scholarly journals Glacial melt disturbance shifts community metabolism of an Antarctic seafloor ecosystem from net autotrophy to heterotrophy

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Braeckman ◽  
Francesca Pasotti ◽  
Ralf Hoffmann ◽  
Susana Vázquez ◽  
Angela Wulff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Balance ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Benthic Primary Production ◽  
Community Metabolism ◽  
West Antarctic ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Net Heterotrophy ◽  
Benthic Ecosystems ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractClimate change-induced glacial melt affects benthic ecosystems along the West Antarctic Peninsula, but current understanding of the effects on benthic primary production and respiration is limited. Here we demonstrate with a series of in situ community metabolism measurements that climate-related glacial melt disturbance shifts benthic communities from net autotrophy to heterotrophy. With little glacial melt disturbance (during cold El Niño spring 2015), clear waters enabled high benthic microalgal production, resulting in net autotrophic benthic communities. In contrast, water column turbidity caused by increased glacial melt run-off (summer 2015 and warm La Niña spring 2016) limited benthic microalgal production and turned the benthic communities net heterotrophic. Ongoing accelerations in glacial melt and run-off may steer shallow Antarctic seafloor ecosystems towards net heterotrophy, altering the metabolic balance of benthic communities and potentially impacting the carbon balance and food webs at the Antarctic seafloor.

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