|
MEPS
Home
Editors
Forthcoming
Information
Subscribe
Journals
Home
MEPS
AME
CR
DAO
ESEP
Search
Subscribe
Book Series
EE Books
Top Books
Order
Discussion Forums
Home
Research
Endangered Species Programs
Institutions
International Ecology Institute
Eco-Ethics International Union
Foundation
Otto Kinne Foundation
| |
MEPS 202:289-295 (2000)
|
Abstract
|
Ecological significance of benthic foraminifera: 13C labelling experiments
L. Moodley1,*, H. T. S. Boschker1, J. J. Middelburg1, R. Pel2, P. M. J. Herman1, E. de Deckere1, C. H. R. Heip1
1Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Ecology (NIOO-CEMO), PO Box 140, 4400 AC, Yerseke, The Netherlands
2Centre for Limnology (NIOO-CL), Rijksstraatweg 6, 3631 AC, Nieuwersluis, The Netherlands
*E-mail: moodley@cemo.nioo.knaw.nl
ABSTRACT: We examined the ability of foraminifera in taking up freshly deposited algal carbon in intertidal estuarine sediments. Lyophylized 13C-labelled axenic Chlorella was added to intact sediment cores containing natural benthic
biota. The response of the system as a whole was rapid; ~5% of the added carbon was respired to CO2 within 6 h. Bacteria assimilated ~2 to 4% of the added carbon within 12 h. Among the foraminifera, the dominant foraminifer Ammonia
exhibited rapid uptake and it is estimated that ~1 to 7% of the added carbon was ingested within 3 to 53 h. This rapid, substantial uptake by Ammonia and the significant contribution of foraminifera to meiobenthic abundance and biomass (37 and 47%
respectively) suggest that foraminifera play an important role in the carbon cycle in these sediments.
KEY WORDS: Meiobenthos · Benthic foraminifera · Bacterial biomarkers · Algal carbon · Carbon cycle · CO2 · 13C labelling
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
202
(2000) on August 28
ISSN: 0171-8630.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2000
|
