Phytodetritus deposited on the Antarctic shelf and upper slope: its relevance for the benthic system
In: Journal of Marine Systems. Elsevier: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; Amsterdam. ISSN 0924-7963; e-ISSN 1879-1573, more Also appears in:Le Fèvre, J.; Tréguer, P. (Ed.) (1998). Carbon Fluxes and Dynamic Processes in the Southern Ocean: Present and Past. Selected papers from the International JGOFS Symposium, Brest, France, 28-31 August 1995. Journal of Marine Systems, 17(1-4). Elsevier: Amsterdam. 1-619 pp., more |  |
| Keywords | Aquatic communities > Benthos > Zoobenthos
Aquatic organisms > Heterotrophic organisms > Filter feeders
Detritus
Distribution > Ecological distribution
Imagery > Photography > Underwater photography
Topographic features > Submarine features > Continental shelves
Topographic features > Submarine features > Continental slope
Velocity > Current velocity
PS, Antarctica [Marine Regions]; PSW, Lazarev Sea; PSW, Weddell Sea [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top | - Gutt, J.
- Starmans, A.
- Dieckmann, G.S.
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| Abstract | Underwater photography was used to ascertain regional, seasonal, interannual or depth dependent variations in the occurrence of phytodetritus on the Antarctic seafloor in order to explain the patchy distribution patterns of the benthos. The information was obtained from an average of 63 photographs taken at each of 76 stations in the Weddell and Lazarev Sea along a 2300 km coastline during four austral summers between 1986 and 1991. In areas where the shelf was broader than 80 km, the sediment showed a significantly higher phytodetritus cover than on the narrower shelf. This can probably be explained by the lower current velocity on the broader shelf. Significantly higher percentages of phytodetritus cover were also found on the seafloor in areas where the megabenthos cover was relatively low. These results indicate that in areas with a low current velocity, organic particles sink relatively fast onto the seafloor where they are available mainly for deposit feeders. The generally more abundant filter feeders are better adapted to a higher current velocity which transports the particles mainly horizontally over longer periods. No significant relationships were found between other physical parameters and the occurrence of phytodetritus. Therefore, the results are also discussed under the aspect of a weak pelagic–benthic coupling, effected by the long-term development of the benthic system. |
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