Dynamics and distribution of microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a in the Western Scheldt estuary (SW Netherlands)
de Jong, D.J.; De Jonge, V.N. (1995). Dynamics and distribution of microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a in the Western Scheldt estuary (SW Netherlands). Hydrobiologia 311(1-3): 21-30. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00008568 In: Hydrobiologia. Springer: The Hague. ISSN 0018-8158; e-ISSN 1573-5117, more Related to:de Jong, D.J.; De Jonge, V.N. (1995). Dynamics and distribution of microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a in the Western Scheldt estuary (SW Netherlands), in: Heip, C.H.R. et al. Major biological processes in European tidal estuaries. Developments in Hydrobiology, 110: pp. 21-30, more | |
Keywords | Aquatic communities > Benthos > Phytobenthos Biological production > Primary production Distribution > Geographical distribution Motion > Water motion > Circulation > Water circulation > Shelf dynamics > Estuarine dynamics Organic compounds > Carbohydrates > Glycosides > Pigments > Photosynthetic pigments > Chlorophylls Physics > Mechanics > Fluid mechanics > Hydrodynamics Sediments Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries ANE, Netherlands, Westerschelde [Marine Regions] Marine/Coastal; Brackish water | Author keywords | MICROPHYTOBENTHOS; CHLOROPHYLL-A; PRIMARY PRODUCTION; ANNUAL CYCLE;DEPTH DISTRIBUTION; HYDRODYNAMIC ENERGY; SEDIMENT; ELEVATION |
Abstract | The temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a in the layer 0–1 cm were determined in the Western Scheldt estuary over the period 1991–1992. Connections between the annually averaged benthic chlorophyll-a and station elevation and sediment composition (as a measure of the hydrodynamic energy caused by currents and waves) were also examined.Microphytobenthic chlorophyll-a showed one main peak in early summer and a smaller peak in autumn. The mean chlorophyll-a concentration of 113 mg Chl-a m–2 in the upper centimeter is of the same order of magnitude as in other estuarine areas. The average annual primary production of the microphytobenthos has been estimated at 136 g C m–2 y–1 The primary production of sediment inhabiting microalgae is at least 17% of the total primary production in the estuary. Considerable differences in annually averaged chlorophyll-a emerges between the stations. These differences are related mainly to the interaction between station elevation and clay content of the sediment. |
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