Sedimentation in arctic Canada: Particulate organic carbon flux to a shallow marine benthic community in Frobisher bay

Autor: J. W. Wacasey, E. G. Atkinson
Rok vydání: 1987
Předmět:
Zdroj: Polar Biology. 8:3-7
ISSN: 1432-2056
0722-4060
DOI: 10.1007/bf00297157
Popis: Sediment traps designed and constructed by the authors were deployed on the bottom during short periods of time at a depth of 33 m in upper Frobisher Bay. When the results were compared with data obtained from a trap set at the compensation depth (20 m), resuspension of particulate organic carbon was estimated at 25% of the sediment. The annual sedimentation cycle was typified by consistently low winter rates, with variable maximum rates and loads occurring in August following the peak of primary production in the water column. Mean annual sediment flux was found to be 26 g C m-2 y-1, representing 31–53% of the range of estimates of carbon fixed in total annual primary production. Relating this to estimated zoobenthic production indicated a benthic conversion efficiency of 53%, not accounting for loss to sediment or benthic primary production. Increased sedimentation following the spring bloom in August appears to stimulate reproduction in some benthic species.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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