Microphytobenthic biomass on a subtropical intertidal flat of Paranaguá bay (Southern Brazil): spatio-temporal distribution and the influence of environmental conditions

Authors

  • Alessandra Larissa D'Oliveira Fonseca Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas; Departamento de Geociências
  • Eunice da Costa Machado Universidade Federal do Paraná; Centro de Estudos do Mar
  • Frederico Pereira Brandini Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto Oceanográfico
  • Nilva Brandini Universidade Federal Fluminense; Instituto de Química

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592013000200001

Keywords:

Nutrients, Sediment properties, Pigment content, Benthic microalgae

Abstract

Seasonal and spatial dynamics of the microphytobenthic biomass on a subtropical intertidal sand flat (25°32'S; 48°24'W) was investigated monthly from September 1995 to July 1996. Chlorophyll-a and Phaeophytin-a contents, temperature, salinity, inorganic nitrogen and phosphate pore water concentrations and sediment characteristics were assessed in the upper (HW), middle (MW) and lower (LW) sections of the flat. Microphytobenthic biomass content showed a conspicuous seasonal and spatial gradient. Higher chlorophyll-a contents were registered in the HW section of the tidal flat (from 11.78 µg.gsed-1 to 38.18 µg.gsed-1) decreasing towards the LW section (from 6.23 µg.gsed-1 to 18.23 µg.gsed-1). Microphytobenthic seasonality was determined mainly by turbulence of the water column, which was influenced by atmospheric events. The sediment properties and nutrient concentrations had a significant effect on the spatial and seasonal distribution of pigments on the intertidal flat.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2013-06-01

Issue

Section

naodefinida

How to Cite

Microphytobenthic biomass on a subtropical intertidal flat of Paranaguá bay (Southern Brazil): spatio-temporal distribution and the influence of environmental conditions . (2013). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 61(2), 83-92. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592013000200001