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Impact of Freshwater Discharge on Production and Transfer of Materials in the Marine Environment

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The Role of Freshwater Outflow in Coastal Marine Ecosystems

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIG,volume 7))

Abstract

Selected case studies are presented to illustrate how seasonality of freshwater discharge, in conjunction with hydrography/topography of the receiving environment, can influence both production and transfer of material as well as species composition of the plankton. Spatial and temporal environmental patterns (zones or phases with specific combinations of physicochemical properties) that arise along the salinity gradient are colonized by characteristic organism types. It is argued that these organisms possess survival strategies (benthic or pelagic resting stages) that enable maintenance of resident populations within such regions. Some pelagic “life history types” are presented and it is shown that behavioural features of these organisms can have considerable impact on production as well as vertical and horizontal transfer of material introduced by freshwater discharge.

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  1. Institut für Meereskunde, Universität Kiel, D-2300, Kiel 1, Germany

    V. S. Smetacek

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  1. V. S. Smetacek
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  1. Nordland College, P.O. Box 6003, 8016, Mørkved Bodø, Norway

    Stig Skreslet

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Smetacek, V.S. (1986). Impact of Freshwater Discharge on Production and Transfer of Materials in the Marine Environment. In: Skreslet, S. (eds) The Role of Freshwater Outflow in Coastal Marine Ecosystems. NATO ASI Series, vol 7. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70886-2_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70886-2_6

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