Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

CS04 Benthic-Pelagic Coupling: Seasonality, Pulses, and Flux

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001, Time: 2:15:00 PM

Location: Mesilla

Smith, C, R, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA, csmith@soest.hawaii.edu

Mincks, S, L, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA, smincks@soest.hawaii.edu

Sumida, P, Y, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, psumida@usp.br

DeMaster, D, J, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA, dave_demaster@ncsu.edu

IMPACT AND FATE OF THE SUMMER PHYTODETRITUS PULSE ON BENTHIC COMMUNITIES OF THE ANTARCTIC SHELF

Seasonal deposition of phytodetritus on the West Antarctic Peninsula shelf following the retreat of winter sea-ice likely constitutes a major benthic food source, and should profoundly influence the ecology shelf benthos. We hypothesize that much of the POM produced during the summer bloom period is deposited rapidly on the seafloor, where it is subducted into the sediments by activities of the benthos. Phytodetritus may degrade slowly due to low temperatures, and could represent a persistent “food bank” for detritivores during lean winter months. We are studying the flux and fate of phytodetritus at the WAP shelf floor by sampling a cross-shelf transect in Nov 1999, Mar 2000, Jun 2000, Oct 2000, and Feb 2001. We will present coring and sediment-trap data to describe the magnitude and timing of the summer phytodetrital pulse and the resulting microbial response to OM deposition. These measurements should provide initial estimates of the size and quality of the detritial 'food bank,'; and evidence for the persistence of labile material over time. Preliminary analysis of benthic community structure will also be discussed.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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