Functioning of microphytobenthos in estuaries

• Main Author: Kromkamp
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.1040.733; http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/138747.pdf

Abstract The benthic primary production of subtidal coastal sediments is grossly under sampled -especially in relation to its potential importance. This is partly due to lack of appropriate measuring techniques. Microsensor approaches represent a strong tool for describing and quantifying microscale benthic photosynthesis and related processes, however, spatial and temporal extrapolation from single point measurements in heterogeneous subtidal sediments is complicated. Complementary use of chambers and 14 C incubations can be helpful but these approaches have their own caveats and limitations. New approaches such as in situ PAM measurements and in situ PAM imagine may turn out to be very helpful in extrapolating microsensor data to larger scales -and robust intercalibrations between the techniques have been presented. Planar O 2 optodes and O 2 eddy-correlation measurements represent other very promising in situ approaches that overcome the limitations of microscale techniques for accessing benthic primary production. The present manuscript gives a brief review on available microscale techniques for quantifying subtidal benthic primary production Introduction The potential importance of subtidal benthic microphytes for local, regional and global carbon cycling is becoming increasingly recognized. In 2003, there existed a little more than 100 studies quantifying the benthic primary production in marine areas but most of these most have been performed in the intertidal zone (Cahoon 1999). Subtidal studies amount to less than 40 and only around 10 studies have been performed at water depth >5 m. Only 4 studies have been conducted in the Arctic area, hosting the relatively largest area of shallow-water, shelf sediment. Our current database on benthic microphytic activity in subtidal areas is very limited. Apart from the relative few studies on benthic microphytic activity, the use of various techniques; 14 C-incubations, chamber incubations and microsensor approaches hamper the assessment of benthic microphytes ...