Microphytobenthos of the Dogger Bank: a comparison between shallow and deep areas using phytopigment composition of the sediment |
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Authors: | Henning Reiss Gunther Wieking Ingrid Kröncke |
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Institution: | (1) Department for Marine Research, Senckenberg Institute, Südstrand 40, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany |
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Abstract: | The surface sediment characteristics related to benthic microalgae primary production were studied at the Dogger Bank, North
Sea, in order to evaluate the potential role of microphytobenthos as a food source for the macrobenthic fauna. Twenty-one
stations were sampled in July 2001 and May 2002, with water depth ranging from 16.3 to 68.5 m. High-performance liquid chromatography
pigment analyses revealed that concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c and fucoxanthin are mainly associated with benthic diatom flora at most parts of the Dogger Bank. High percentage of phytopigments
(>50%) was firmly attached to sand grains at the stations shallower than 40 m water depth. The deeper stations were characterized
by a phytopigment composition originating from pelagic phytoplankton settled on the sea floor. Qualitative microscopy showed
that the benthic microflora on top of the Bank mainly consists of small diatoms (5–10 μm), such as e.g., Diploneis spp., living attached to the sand grains. The results are discussed concerning possible implications for ecology and biogeochemistry
of the Dogger Bank area. |
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