The microbial ecology of the Bristol Channel
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
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| Keywords |
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
Biological production > Primary production
Ecology
Ecology > Population ecology
Motion > Water motion > Circulation > Water circulation > Shelf dynamics > Estuarine dynamics
Pollution > Water pollution > Marine pollution
Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
Microbial ecology is greatly influenced by the physical processes occurring in the Bristol Channel which is a very dynamic estuary; the large tidal range and tidal excursion maintain high concentration of inorganic particles in suspension. High turbidity severely limits light penetration, and hence phytoplankton growth, and the large surface area of the particles in suspension influences the growth of bacteria. Other factors which influence the ecology of micro-organisms of the Bristol Channel include the long flushing time and considerable input of dissolved nutrients from the rivers which drain a large area of England and Wales. |
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