Nematode distribution in ocean margin sediments of the Goban Spur (northeast Atlantic) in relation to sediment geochemistry
Soetaert, K.; Vanaverbeke, J.; Heip, C.H.R.; Herman, P.M.J.; Middelburg, J.J.; Sandee, A.; Duineveld, G.C.A. (1997). Nematode distribution in ocean margin sediments of the Goban Spur (northeast Atlantic) in relation to sediment geochemistry. Deep-Sea Res., Part 1, Oceanogr. Res. Pap. 44(9-10): 1671-1683
In: Deep-Sea Research, Part I. Oceanographic Research Papers. Elsevier: Oxford. ISSN 0967-0637; e-ISSN 1879-0119, more
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| Keywords |
Availability > Food availability
Chemical elements > Nonmetals > Atmospheric gases > Nitrogen
Chemical elements > Nonmetals > Atmospheric gases > Oxygen > Dissolved gases > Dissolved oxygen
Chemistry > Geochemistry
Chemistry > Geochemistry > Sediment chemistry
Distribution > Ecological distribution
Population characteristics > Population density
Sediments > Oxic sediments
Nematoda [WoRMS]
ANE, Atlantic, Goban Spur [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Soetaert, K., more
- Vanaverbeke, J., more
- Heip, C.H.R., more
- Herman, P.M.J., more
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- Middelburg, J.J., more
- Sandee, A.
- Duineveld, G.C.A., more
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| Abstract |
Nematode density along a depth gradient (206-2760 m) in the northeastern Atlantic (Goban Spur) is linearly and positively related to organic matter mineralization in the sediment. It is estimated that nematodes contribute at most 13% to total carbon turnover, and this contribution decreases with water depth. The vertical distribution of nematodes in the sediment closely follows concentration vs depth profiles of total nitrogen in the sediment. Both nematodes and total nitrogen tend to be more concentrated towards the surface with increasing water depth. There is no indication that nematode vertical distribution is directly influenced by the oxygen penetration in the sediment. However, it is hypothesized that the sediment oxygen concentration can explain the relatively greater importance of smaller organisms in benthic communities with increasing water depth. The nitrogen vs sediment depth profiles are consistent with a greater impact of larger organisms on sediments at the shallow stations and decreased sediment mixing with increasing water depth. |
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