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Biodeposition by a fouling community in the Indian River, Florida

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Abstract

Biodeposition rates were studied for a fouling community with a biomass of 6–10 kg per m2 dry wt including shells in which the barnacle Balanus eburneus was a dominant species. The fouling community filtered Indian River lagoon water containing 2–15 mg per 1 mud-size particles and deposited them as sand-size fecal pellets. Measurements of the fecal pellet flux by sediment traps indicated seasonal variations between 16.7 and 74.8 g per m2 per day. A significant correlation was found between fecal pellet flux and temperature (r=0.90; p<0.001). The average flux of fecal pellet deposition was four times greater than the average flux of suspended particle settling without biological influence. Suspended sediment concentration did not significantly affect the rate of biodeposition. Annual biodeposition was 18 kg per m2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harbor Branch Foundation, RR 1 Box 196, 33450, Fort Pierce, Florida

    Charles M. Hoskin

  2. Department of Geology, Colgate University, 13346, Hamilton, New York

    Dermott Courtney

Authors
  1. Charles M. Hoskin
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  2. Dermott Courtney
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Additional information

Contribution No. 245 from the Harbor Branch Foundation, Fort Pierce, Florida.

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Hoskin, C.M., Courtney, D. Biodeposition by a fouling community in the Indian River, Florida. Estuaries 6, 243–246 (1983). https://doi.org/10.2307/1351516

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1351516

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