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Thesis
DYNAMICS OF ESTUARINE MICROPHYTOBENTHOS IN A SHALLOW WATER SAND BOTTOM HABITAT
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2006
Abstract
Microphytobenthos inhabiting subtidal estuarine sediments are important contributors to marine food webs and biogeochemical transformations of nutrients. Production and respiration rates, biomass estimations, and nutrient flux rates in Butcherpen Cove, Pensacola Bay, Florida, were investigated from February through August 2005 for the benthos, phytoplankton, and biofilms grown on artificial substrates. Extracellular enzyme activity was assayed on slurries of biofilm material. Production and respiration were measured by oxygen changes in light and dark incubations in situ. Microphytobenthic production and biomass decreased following major storm events. Water column phytoplankton and periphyton did not respond to rainfall and appeared to be controlled by temperature. Phytoplankton production and respiration increased through the sampling season and variability was low. Periphyton grown on artificial substrates did not correlate with benthic processes, but appeared to be responding to water column conditions. Bioavailability of water column nutrients did not seem to be as important to benthic production as much as benthic fluxes. The data suggest nitrogen and phosphorous nutrient co-limitations existed for both phytoplankton and benthic microalgae in Butcherpen Cove. When dissolved PO4-3 increased in the water column alkaline phosphatase activity was suppressed. Esterase activity of biofilms on artificial substrates reflected biofilm community respiration. N-fixation and denitrification rates were low and mutually exclusive.
Details
- Title
- DYNAMICS OF ESTUARINE MICROPHYTOBENTHOS IN A SHALLOW WATER SAND BOTTOM HABITAT
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Copyright
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
- Identifiers
- 99380090854506600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida