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pH and Eh on Aldabra Atoll 2. Intertidal photosynthetic microbial communities showing zonation

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Abstract

An account is given of changes taking place in intertidal photosynthetic microbial communities during every 14-day tidal cycle on Aldabra Atoll. These changes are apparently a consequence of movement of water with low Eh values from mangrove forest passing through the sediments at each spring tide. Along part of the lagoon shore, purple phototrophic bacteria colour the sands pink just after the time of spring tides. A series of small pools show a marked horizontal zonation of communities for the rest of the 14-day tidal cycle. The communities are described, together with data on pH and Eh in their vicinity.

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Potts, M., Whitton, B.A. pH and Eh on Aldabra Atoll 2. Intertidal photosynthetic microbial communities showing zonation. Hydrobiologia 67, 99–105 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00126708

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