Benthic diatom communities of coastal marine environments in the Windmill Islands, Antarctica ...

• Main Author: Cunningham, LK
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: Casey Station; Windmill Islands; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23207630.v1; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Benthic_diatom_communities_of_coastal_marine_environments_in_the_Windmill_Islands_Antarctica/23207630/1

This project examined the effects of ecological factors and anthropogenic contaminants on benthic diatom communities near Casey Station, in the Windmill Islands, Antarctica. Preliminary sampling indicated significant compositional differences occurred between diatom communities in bays immediately adjacent to Casey Station and those more distant. Subsequently, a more detailed appraisal of spatial variability in benthic diatom communities was undertaken. Significant differences in community composition were demonstrated for all scales examined, however, increased distances between samples typically corresponded to increased dissimilarity. The influence of environmental factors on spatial variability was assessed using direct gradient ordination techniques. Grainsize, particularly the mud content, accounted for the majority of variation in diatom abundances explained by the measured environmental variables. Differences in light availability, water depth and grain-size explained 60% of the variation in ...