Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

SS08 Processes at the Benthic Interface (Environmental Connections)

Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2001, Time: 2:00:00 PM

Location: Ruidoso/Pecos

Paterson, D, M, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom, d.paterson@st-andrews.ac.uk

Hagerthey, S, E, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom, sh7@st-andrews.ac.uk

Jesus, B, , University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal, Bjesus@fc.ul.pt

Honeywill, C, , University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom, cg10@st-andrews.ac.uk

MICROSCALE VARIATION IN THE BIOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIDAL MICROPHYTOBENTHOS BIOFILMS

The biophysical properties of tidal deposits are now being examined using techniques that allow cm, mm or even um scale resolution of the measured parameters. Cryo-sectioning followed by biochemical analysis (pigments, organic content, extracellular polymeric substances) and sedimentological analysis (bulk density, particle size, sediment stability), have been linked with in situ analysis of biomass distribution and electron transport rate (fluorometry) and oxygen and light penetration (microelectrodes) to provide information on the spatial and temporal variability of surface properties. In addition, remote sensing (RS) techniques have been applied at the cm scale using spectral reflectance and the deconstruction and analysis of digital imagery to determine biomass distribution. The coupling between physical and biological parameters at similar scales is demonstrated and the potential of using RS techniques to extrapolate information is being investigated.

This Session Listing

Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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