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Microphytobenthos in the Oosterschelde estuary (The Netherlands), 1981–1990; consequences of a changed tidal regime

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Abstract

During the period 1981–1990 the functioning of microphytobenthos in the carbon cycle was studied in the Oosterschelde, a mesotidal, euhaline estuary (SW Netherlands), both before and after completion of a storm-surge barrier in the sea ward entrance of the estuary in 1986, which reduced the tidal range to 88% and current velocities to 70% of their former values on average.

The annual biomass cycle has changed from small spring and autumn peaks into a much larger summer peak. The average biomass during summer has increased from 70 to 170 mg Chlorophyll-a m2. The average annual biomass has increased from 115 to 195 mg Chlorophyll-a m2. As a consequence the (calculated) primary production by microphytobenthos has increased also, from 150 to 242 gC m−2 y−1 (14 045 to 22 265 tonnes C y−1), and its share in the total primary production of the Oosterschelde has increased from 16 to 30%. These increases in biomass and primary production are mainly ascribed to a decrease in the dynamic forces (water current velocities) over the intertidal flats in most parts of the basin. Increased water transparency in parts of the estuary and increased import of inorganic carbon from the water column towards shoals may have contributed as well.

The rate of reworking of the top layer of the soil (0–10 cm) has not changed significantly, as the decrease in Chlorophyll-a biomass with depth has hardly changed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ, P.O. Box 8039, NL-4330 EA, Middelburg, The Netherlands

    D. J. de Jong & B. J. Kater

  2. Netherlands Institute of Ecological Research, Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology, Vierstraat 28, NL-4401 EA, Yerseke, The Netherlands

    P. H. Nienhuis

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  1. D. J. de Jong
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  2. P. H. Nienhuis
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  3. B. J. Kater
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de Jong, D.J., Nienhuis, P.H. & Kater, B.J. Microphytobenthos in the Oosterschelde estuary (The Netherlands), 1981–1990; consequences of a changed tidal regime. Hydrobiologia 282, 183–195 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024630

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