Abstract
Microelectrode oxygen profiles were measured in intertidal sediments from Ria Formosa (S. Portugal), a very productive shallow coastal lagoon. Four intertidal sampling sites were selected according to different sediment characteristics. Individual profiles revealed a high degree of lateral variability on a centimeter spatial scale. Nevertheless, consistent differences were observed between oxygen profiles measured in atmosphere-exposed and inundated intertidal sediments: in organically poor sand oxygen-penetration depth varied from 3 mm in inundated cores to more than 7 mm in exposed ones, while in organically rich muddy sand and mud it remained between 0.5–2.0 mm. The oxygen input from inundated to exposed conditions was estimated for each sampling site. Semi-diurnal tidal fluctuation, leading to periodical atmospheric exposure of sediments plays a major role in the oxygenation process of intertidal zones of Ria Formosa.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andersen F. O. & W. Helder, 1987. Comparison of oxygen microgradients, oxygen flux rates and electron transport system activity in coastal marine sediments. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 37: 259–264.
Baillie, P. W., 1986. Oxygenation of intertidal estuarine sediments by benthic microalgal photosynthesis. Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci. 22: 143–149.
Fenchel, T. M., 1978. The ecology of micro and meiobenthos. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 9: 99–121.
Helder, W. & J. F. Bakker, 1985. Shipboard comparison of micro-and minielectrodes for measuring oxygen distribution in marine sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 30: 1106–1109.
Jorgensen, B. B. & N. P. Revsbech, 1985. Diffusive boundary layers and the oxygen uptake of sediments and detritus. Limnol. Oceanogr. 30: 111–122.
Lindeboom, H. J., H. A. J. De Klerk & A. J. J. Sandee, 1984. Mineralization of organic carbon on and in the sediment of Lake Grevelingen. Neth. J. Sea Res. 18: 492–510.
Revsbech, N. P. & B. B. Jorgensen, 1983. Photosynthesis of benthic microflora measured with high spatial resolution by the oxygen microprofile method: capabilities and limitations of the method. Limnol. Oceanogr. 28: 749–756.
Revsbech, N. P., B. B. Jorgensen & T. H. Blackburn, 1980a. Oxygen in the sea bottom measured with a microelectrode. Science 207: 1355–1356.
Revsbech, N. P., B. B. Jorgensen & O. Brix, 1981. Primary production of microalgae in sediments measured by oxygen microprofile, H14CO-3 fixation and oxygen methods. Limnol. Oceanogr. 26: 717–730.
Revsbech, N. P., J. Sorensen, T. H. Blackburn & J. P. Lomholt, 1980b. Distribution of oxygen in marine sediments measured with microelectrodes. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25: 403–411.
Riedl, R. J. & R. Machan, 1972. Hydrodynamic patterns in lotic intertidal sands and their bioclimatological implications. Mar. Biol. 13: 179–209.
Silverberg, N., J. Bakker, K. M. Edenborn & B. Sundby, 1987. Oxygen profiles and organic carbon fluxes in Laurentian Trough sediments. Neth. J. Sea Res. 21: 95–105.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brotas, V., Amorim-Ferreira, A., Vale, C. et al. Oxygen profiles in intertidal sediments of Ria Formosa (S. Portugal). Hydrobiologia 207, 123–130 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041448
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00041448