Sources and biochemical composition of suspended particulate material in a submarine cave with sulphur water springs |
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Authors: | L Airoldi F Cinelli |
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Institution: | (1) Dipartimento di Scienze dell' Uomo e dell'Ambiente Università di Pisa, Via A. Volta 6, I-56126 Pisa, Italy, IT |
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Abstract: | Sources, biochemical composition and nutritional value of suspended particulate material were investigated from February
1994 to February 1995 in a submarine cave (Grotta Azzurra, Capo Palinuro, southwestern Italy) with hot sulphur springs and
associated mats of chemolithoautotrophic bacteria in its innermost dark part (Snow Hall). Concentrations of total suspended
material (TSM), particulate inorganic material (PIM), organic carbon (POC), organic nitrogen (PON), chlorophyll a (Chl a), phaeopigments (Phaeo), carbohydrates (TCH), proteins (TPR) and lipids (TLI) were measured at four stations along an outside–inside
transect, in order to address whether the quantity and quality of suspended particles varied over time with increasing distance
from the entrance of the cave and estimate the relative contribution of chemosynthesis versus photosynthesis in supplying
POC to cave heterotrophs. The abundance and biochemical composition of suspended material available to filter-feeders varied
over time, but no significant quantitative or qualitative differences were detected along the outside–inside transect. Concentrations
of TSM and of its different compounds (PIM, POC, PON, Phaeo, TCH, TPR, TLI) were homogeneous among the four stations or fluctuated
without any consistent trend, with no apparent ageing and degradation of organic material in the innermost dark station. Conversely,
concentrations of Chl a significantly decreased from outside to inside the cave at all sampling periods. It is suggested that suspended POC in Grotta
Azzurra consists of mixed assemblages of particles coming from advection of photosynthetic material from the open sea and
local inputs of carbon by sulphur-oxidizing bacteria. Based on POC/Chl a ratios, the relative contributions of chemosynthesis versus photosynthesis in supplying POC to benthic heterotrophs was estimated
to be 31 and 69%, respectively.
Received: 9 December 1996 / Accepted: 14 January 1997 |
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