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Observations of resuspended diatoms in the turbid tidal edge
Lucas, C.H. (2003). Observations of resuspended diatoms in the turbid tidal edge. J. Sea Res. 50(4): 301-308. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2003.04.001
In: Journal of Sea Research. Elsevier/Netherlands Institute for Sea Research: Amsterdam; Den Burg. ISSN 1385-1101; e-ISSN 1873-1414
Peer reviewed article  
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Keywords
    Algae > Diatoms
    ANE, Ems-Dollard Estuary
    Motion > Sediment movement > Sediment gravity flows > Turbidity currents
    Suspended organic matter
    Suspension > Resuspension
    Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Tidal flats
    Coscinodiscus C.G. Ehrenberg, 1839 [WoRMS]
    Ems Estuary [Marine Regions]; Molenplaat [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    resuspension; benthic diatoms; tidal flats; HPLC; Westerschelde;Ems-Dollard
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  • Lucas, C.H.
Abstract
    Observations of resuspended diatoms in the shallow waters (<60 cm) of the turbid tidal edge are described for single sites on two tidal flats-the Molenplaat in the Westerschelde estuary, and the Hond in the Ems-Dollard estuary, The Netherlands. High concentrations of chlorophyll-a (chl-a) were observed in the trailing edge of the ebbing tide in water depths of <20 cm, after which concentrations decreased markedly. Peak mean values were 19 µg chl-a l-1 in 10 cm of water at the Molenplaat, and 45 µg chl-a l-1 in 5 cm of water at the Hond. Similar trends were observed on the flooding tide, although peak values were far less pronounced (6 and 30 µg chl-a l-1 respectively). Microscopic examination of the diatom community within the turbid tidal edge at the Molenplaat revealed that peaks in biomass were caused by suspended benthic diatoms, as well as the large centric diatom Coscinodiscus sp., particularly on the ebb tide. Planktonic diatoms other than Coscinodiscus sp. were more randomly distributed and did not appear to follow any particular trend. It would seem that as the tide recedes, resuspended benthic diatoms and large Coscinodiscus sp. cells become concentrated in the shallow water. However, the virtual absence of Coscinodiscus sp. from the leading edge of the flooding tide suggests that most of the resuspended cells do not settle to the seabed, but are washed away into the channels. The small peak of benthic diatoms at the leading edge of the flood tide is most likely resuspended locally from the sediment, along with large numbers of diatom frustules.
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