Abstract
The relationship between macrophyte cover and benthic fluxes of oxygen. nutrients and sulphide has been examined in a shallow fishpond with a nearly homogeneous meadow ofRuppia cirrhosa (Pelagna) Grande (Bassin d'Arcachon. western France). In 1993 and 1994, benthic fluxes were treasured in early and late summer. These periods were selected to represent the production and decay phases ofRuppia in order to determine the effect on benthic processes. Benthic fluxes of elements were measured by means of multiple dark and light benthic chambers in the presence or absence of community components. In summer 1994. at the end of the incubation period, profiles of acid volatile sulphide (AVS) and chromium reducible sulphur (CRS) were measured also in the 0–5 cm sediment horizon in cores withdrawn from the dark benthic chambers and from the sediment outside the chambers. Oxygen production and consumption were closely related to macrophyte cover, whilst the contributions of plankton and microphytobenthic communities were less significant. In the water column, dissolved inorganic nutrients were almost totally depleted, while dissolved organic nitrogen attained concentrations up to 200 μM. In late summer.Ruppia biomass underwent a significant decay due to the build up of a thick epiphyte layer, mostly around floating leaves. The epiphyte slime was rich in labile organic matter, the decomposition of which led to a significant oxygen uptake as well as to sulphide production. Therefore, we postulate that epiphyte growth can cause disturbance in the aquatic system keeping dissolved sulphide at very high levels. Biogeochemical reactions, such as precipitation of iron sulphide, can exert a control lowering the amplitude of such disturbances.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A.P.H.A., A.W.W.A., W.P.C.F.: 1975,Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewaters, 14th ed. A.P.H.A. Washington, 1193 pages.
Burkholder, J. M., Glasgow, H. B. jr, Cooke, J. E.: 1994,Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 105, 121–138.
Comin, F. A., Menendez, M., Martin, M.: 1991,Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 48, 9–22.
Escaravage, V.: 1990,Hydrobiologia 207, 131–136.
Giordani, G., Bartoli, M., Cattadori, M., Viaroli, P.: 1996,Hydrobiologia 329, 211–222.
Fossing, H., Jorgensen, B. B.: 1989,Biogeochemistry 8, 205–222.
Jørgensen, B. B.: 1983,The major biogeochemical cycles and their interactions, SCOPE 21, J. Wiley, New York, 477–509.
Koroleff, F.: 1970,Information on techniques and methods for seawater analysis. I.C.E.S. Interlaboratory Rep. No. 3: 19–22.
Nienhuis, P. H.: 1992,Estuaries 15, 538–548.
Sand-Jensen, K., Borum, J.: 1991,Aquat. Bot. 41, 137–175.
Sand-Jensen, K., Prahl, C., Stokholm, H.: 1982,Oikos 38, 349–354.
Sfriso, A., Pavoni, B., Marcomini, A., Orio, A. A.: 1992,Estuaries 15, 517–528.
Smolders, A., Roelofs, J. G. M.: 1993, Archiv fur Hydrobiologie133, 349–365.
Smolders, A., Nijhoer, R. C., Roelofs, J. G. M.: 1995,Freshwater Biology 34, 559–568.
Sorokin, Yu. I., Sorokin, Yu. P., Gnes A.: 1996,Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 133, 57–71.
Stevenson, J. C., Staver, L. W., Staver, K. W.: 1988,Estuaries 16, 346–361.
Thimel, A., Labourg, P. J., 1992,Vie Milieu 42, 185–192.
Thursby, G. B.: 1984,Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 16, 303–305.
Twilley, R. R., Kemp, W. M., Staver, K. W., Stevenson, J. C., Boynton, W. R.: 1985,Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 23, 179–191.
Turpin, D. H.: 1991.J. Phycol. 27, 14–20.
Valderrama, J. C.: 1977,Rep. Baltic Intercalibration Workshop, Interim Commission for the Protection of the Environment of the Baltic Sca, 14–34.
Valderrama, J. C.: 1981,Mar. Chem. 10, 109–122.
Verhoeven, J. T. A.: 1980,Aquat. Bot. 8, 1–85.
Viaroli, P., Bartoli, M., C. Bondavalli, C., Naldi, M.: 1995,Fresenius Environmental Bulletin 8, 381–386.
Viaroli, P., Bartoli, M., C. Bondavalli, C., Christian, R. R., Giordani, G., Naldi, M.: 1996,Hydrobiologia 329, 105–119.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Viaroli, P., Bartoli, M., Fumagalli, I. et al. Relationship between benthic fluxes and macrophyte cover in a shallow brackish lagoon. Water Air Soil Pollut 99, 533–540 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02406893
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02406893