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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
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

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
  • Middelburg, J.J., more
  • Sandee, A.
  • Duineveld, G.C.A., more

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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