STARDUST II - Spatial and Temporal Assessment
of high Resolution Depth profiles Using novel Sampling Technologies The fate of pollutants in fluvial and marine sediments in cross-border zones
Oxygen penetration around burrows and roots in aquatic sediments
Meysman, F.J.R.; Galaktionov, O.S.; Glud, R.N.; Middelburg, J.J. (2010). Oxygen penetration around burrows and roots in aquatic sediments. J. Mar. Res. 68(2): 309-336. dx.doi.org/10.1357/002224010793721406
In: Journal of Marine Research. Sears Foundation for Marine Research, Yale University: New Haven, Conn.. ISSN 0022-2402; e-ISSN 1543-9542
Diffusion is the dominant physical mechanism for the transfer of oxygen into fine-grained aquatic sediments. This diffusive uptake occurs at the sediment-water interface, but also at internal interfaces, such as along ventilated burrows or O2 releasing plant roots. Here, we present a systematic model analysis of the oxygen transfer at such biological interfaces. We list the equations for the O2 distribution, the flux, the oxygen penetration distance (OPD), the oxygenated sediment volume, and the irrigational oxygen uptake (IOU) as a function of biological parameters, such as burrow/root radius and burrow/root density. We also provide a set of computational "recipes" indicating how these model expressions can be used in the analysis of experimental data. As an example application, we show that the observed OPD reduction around ventilated burrows is largely due to the geometric effect of interface curvature. Because of this curvature effect, root and burrow surfaces cannot be treated as simple extensions of the sediment-water interface. As a general rule of a thumb, the burrow or root radius must be larger than OPD at the sediment-water interface to safely neglect geometrical corrections. Burrow and root systems in coastal environments typically do not meet this criterion.
Alle informatie in het Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) valt onder het VLIZ Privacy beleid
STARDUST II is a project funded by the INTERREG III A programme (France/Walloon Region/Flanders
French-Flemish subprogramme) of the European Community's Regional Development Fund.
Hosted by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
