IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [210780]
Effects of experimentally induced raised levels of organic flux and oxygen depletion on a continental slope benthic foraminiferal community
Ernst, S.; van der Zwaan, B. (2004). Effects of experimentally induced raised levels of organic flux and oxygen depletion on a continental slope benthic foraminiferal community. Deep-Sea Res., Part 1, Oceanogr. Res. Pap. 51(11): 1709-1739. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2004.06.003
In: Deep-Sea Research, Part I. Oceanographic Research Papers. Elsevier: Oxford. ISSN 0967-0637; e-ISSN 1879-0119, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Foraminifera [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    live benthic foraminifera; organic matter flux; oxygen depletion;

Authors  Top 
  • Ernst, S.
  • van der Zwaan, B.

Abstract
    A laboratory experiment was carried out with 10 mesocosms containing sediment from a 550 m deep station in the Bay of Biscay. Station B is well-oxygenated throughout the year and material for this study was collected just after the spring bloom in May 2000. The aim of the experiment was to assess the separate effect of the principal environmental parameters, oxygen concentration and organic flux, on the benthic foraminiferal assemblage. Oxygen appears to induce the strongest changes, especially on the vertical distribution of the foraminifera. When subjected to anoxic conditions most species, except some intermediate to deep infaunal taxa (Melonis barleeanus, Globobulimina spp.), migrate towards the sediment water interface, apparently trying to escape the hostile conditions. Adding organic matter affected only some shallow living, opportunistic taxa (Epistominella exigua, Adercotryma glomerata). All other species display no significant response to enhanced food conditions, under either oxic or anoxic conditions. The outcome of our experiment suggests that the assemblages of this mesotrophic environment are influenced more strongly by variation in oxygen levels than by changes in organic flux on a short time scale (days to weeks). On a longer time scale organic flux is important in regulating abundances.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors