Microalgal production in the sand

Sand bottom microalgal production and benthic nutrient fluxes on the northeastern Gulf of Mexico nearshore shelf

Benthic microalgal communities have been documented as being important primary producers in nearshore areas and are important to benthic feeders. However little is known about benthic micro algal production in deeper waters. Core sampling and Chl a concentrations in the sediment as opposed to cell counting has been the way to quantify production in the benthic community. Sedimtns are a source of nutrients from microbial processing of sedimented organic matter, outward flux of nutrients. In a sample site in the NE GoM, 11km SE of Pensacola Bay, light and dark sediment chambers were deployed on the seafloor Dissolved oxygen concentration and was measured via Winklers to measure production and respiration. Chl a was measured in the sediment for algal biomass, nutrients were measured. Measurements were comparable to coastal nearshore areas. Much of the continental benthic ecosystem has potential for benthic primarily production.

Ref:  Allison, J. G., Wagner, M. E., McAllister, M., Ren, A, K. J., Snyder, R. A. Sand bottom microalgal production and benthic nutrient fluxes on the northeastern Gulf of Mexico nearshore shelf, Gulf and Carribbean Research, 2013, 25, 1-8