Biological influences on morphology and bed composition of an intertidal flat

Paarlberg, Andries; Knaapen, M.A.F.; Vries, M.B. de; Hulscher, S.J.M.H.; Wang, Zheng Bing

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2005.04.008

Cited by 67 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…The behaviour can then change abruptly from non-cohesive to cohesive or vice-versa , changing the erosion threshold and erosive behaviour and its dynamics. Transport models suggest that changes in erosion/deposition parameters typically caused by benthic organisms, are sufficiently large to lead to significant effects at a larger spatial scale (Paarlberg et al 2005), but these predictions are in need of direct experimental testing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benthic community-mediated sediment dynamics

Montserrat¹,

Colen²,

Degraer³

et al. 2008

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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We assessed the influence of benthic communities on sediment properties in large defaunation experiments in replicated 16 m(2) plots on a tidal flat in the Westerschelde estuary (SW Netherlands). We compared microphytobenthos and benthic macrofauna recovery and recolonisation between control and defaunated sediments during 8 mo following the defaunation, focussing on how the temporal scale of biological responses interact with the temporal scale of sedimentological developments (grain size, bed level, erosion threshold). In the first month, microphytobenthos (surface chl a content) increased to > 3 times the control values and remained elevated until 3 mo after the start of the experiment. Macrofaunal recovery started with mobile mudsnails after only a few days. Tube-building macrofauna dominated first, followed by surface-disrupting species. Both groups became much more dominant in defaunated than in control plots. Surface pelletisers almost recovered to control levels after 4 mo, while biodiffusing bivalves did not recover during the course of the experiment, Mud content of the sediment surface first increased with chl a, but started to decrease, concomitant with an over-representation of surface disruptors. A similar trend was observed for critical erosion threshold. Bed elevation of experimental plots exceeded controls by several cm. after 1 mo, and remained higher through summer. The time scales of changes in microphytobenthos and in abiotic characteristics of the sediment were largely set by the time scale of macrofauna recovery. Macrobenthos plays a critical, but complex role in the dynamics of intertidal sediments

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benthic community-mediated sediment dynamics

Montserrat¹,

Colen²,

Degraer³

et al. 2008

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Furthermore, the effects of bioturbation and diffusional gradients within the sediments. associated with diverse behaviours throughout the aquatic food chain such as scavengers and filter-feeders, often have not been considered (Paarlberg et al, 2005). Thus, measuring only dissolved contaminants excludes the fraction of trace contaminants adsorbed to sediments and may lead to erroneous conclusions over flux transfers, critical pathways and environmental risks (Long et al, 1998;Newman et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dart estuary, Devon, UK: a case study of chemical dynamics and pollutant mobility

Schuwerack¹,

Neal²,

Neal³

2007

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Water, sediments and gill and digestive gland tissues of adult common shore crab (Carcinus maenas), collected at Noss Marina, Sandquay (Britannia Royal Naval College), the Dartmouth Pier, Warfleet Cove and Sugary Cove in the Dart estuary, Devon, UK, were analysed for major, minor and trace elements in spring 2004. Total acid-available measurements analysed included the truly dissolved component and acid-available sediments. Trace metal concentrations are associated largely with particulate and micro-particulate/colloidal phases, the latter being able to pass through standard filter papers. Wide ranges of chemical concentrations were found in the water, sediments and tissues at all the locations. In the water column, 48% of the variance is linked to the sea-salt component (Cl, Na, K, Ca, Mg, B, Li and Sr) and the sediment-associated acid-available fractions are linked to Fe-rich lithogenous materials (Ba, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, V and Zn). In the sediments, trace elements of Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni and V are correlated with the sea salts and associated with the fraction of fine sediments within the total sediment. In the gills and the digestive gland tissues of crabs, high concentrations of Al, Cu and Fe are found and there are correlations between acid-available trace metals of Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr and Zn. The relationships between trace metal contaminants, their site-specific concentrations, their temporal and spatial variability and the effects of human activities, such as moorland/agriculture with historic mining and recreational activities in the lower Dart estuary, are discussed.

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“…A possibility is to consider the effect of vegetation in the biomorphodynamic model in terms of critical tractive strength and erosion coefficient (Paarlberg et al 2005). Notwithstanding, a physically-based approach to this issue has to take into consideration several interrelated aspects which may lead to unaffordable computational requirements.…”

Section: Sustainability River Management Model Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

River, delta and coastal morphological response accounting for biological dynamics

Goldsmith¹,

Bernardi

Schippa

2015

Proc. IAHS

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Management and construction can increase resilience in the face of climate change, and benefits can be enhanced through integration of biogenic materials including shells and vegetation. Rivers and coastal landforms are dynamic systems that respond to intentional and unintended manipulation of critical factors, often with unforeseen and/or undesirable resulting effects. River management strategies have impacts that include deltas and coastal areas which are increasingly vulnerable to climate change with reference to sea level rise and storm intensity. Whereas conventional assessment and analysis of rivers and coasts has relied on modelling of hydrology, hydraulics and sediment transport, incorporating additional biological factors can offer more comprehensive, beneficial and realistic alternatives. Suitable modelling tools can provide improved decision support. The question has been whether current models can effectively address biological responses with suitable reliability and efficiency. Since morphodynamic evolution exhibits its effects on a large timescale, the choice of mathematical model is not trivial and depends upon the availability of data, as well as the spatial extent, timelines and computation effort desired. The ultimate goal of the work is to set up a conveniently simplified river morphodynamic model, coupled with a biological dynamics plant population model able to predict the long-term evolution of large alluvial river systems managed through bioengineering. This paper presents the first step of the work related to the application of the model accounting for stationary vegetation condition. Sensitivity analysis has been performed on the main hydraulic, sedimentology, and biological parameters. The model has been applied to significant river training in Europe, Asia and North America, and comparative analysis has been used to validate analytical solutions. Data gaps and further areas for investigation are identified.

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Biological influences on morphology and bed composition of an intertidal flat

Cited by 67 publications

References 23 publications

Benthic community-mediated sediment dynamics

Benthic community-mediated sediment dynamics

The Dart estuary, Devon, UK: a case study of chemical dynamics and pollutant mobility

River, delta and coastal morphological response accounting for biological dynamics

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