Changes in metabolic rates under fluctuating salinity regimes for two subtidal marsh habitats
Farris CN and Oviatt CA. 1998. Changes in metabolic rates under fluctuating salinity regimes for two subtidal marsh habitats. Estuaries
'The metabolic rates of individual habitats can differ significantly in their contribution to total system productivity in a salt marsh; moreover these rates are frequently affected by environmental conditions. In repsonse to tidal salinity changes, production and respiration rates were measured for macroalgal and sediment habitats. Microcosms representing the two habitats were proportional to the salinity of the water in the incubation, with the lowest metabolic rates associated with the lowest salinity. Average macroalgal habitat netproduction rates were 879,609 and 451 mg O2m-2h-1 at high, middle and low salinity treatments, respectively, and the dark respiration rates were between -401, -341 and -333 mgO2m-2h-1. Average sediment habitat net production rates were 60, 13 and 10 mgO2m-2h-1 and the respiration rates were -114, -55 and -31 mgO2m-2h-1 at high, middle and low salinity treatments. The larger contribution of macroalgal habitats to system metabolism may account for observed diurnal changes in water column oxygen levels. The macroalgal production rates explained 83% of the increase in water column oxygen levels during daylight hours. Macroalgal respiration rates explained 65% of the decline in oxygen levels during the night.' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /MOUNT DESERT ISLAND/Bass Harbor Marsh
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Farris, Charles; Oviatt, Candace
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- Algae, Algae, Bass Harbor Marsh, Estuaries, Marshes and Bogs, Mount Desert Island, Nitrogen (N), Nutrients, Plants, Respiration, Salinity, Salt Marshes, Seaweeds, Sediment, Sedimentation, Water Quality