Organic matter enrichment in the Whittard Channel; its origin and possible effects on benthic megafauna

Amaro, Teresa; Stigter, Henko de; Lavaleye, M.S.S.; Duineveld, G.C.A.

doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2015.04.014

Cited by 45 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Enhancement of near-bottom tidal currents is also seen within the canyon (Fig. 3c) and ALBEX (Duineveld et al, 2004) (Amaro et al, 2015). As also observed at shallower sites, net water flow at deeper sites was in an up-canyon direction, once more indicating that tidal currents do not contribute to down-canyon sediment transport (Mulder et al, 2012, Amaro et al, 2015.…”

Section: B2) Internal Tidesmentioning

confidence: 56%

“…3c) and ALBEX (Duineveld et al, 2004) (Amaro et al, 2015). As also observed at shallower sites, net water flow at deeper sites was in an up-canyon direction, once more indicating that tidal currents do not contribute to down-canyon sediment transport (Mulder et al, 2012, Amaro et al, 2015. Low current speeds in the lower reaches of the canyon and the adjacent deep-sea fan area have previously been reported from short-term current meter deployments by Reid and Hamilton (1990).…”

Section: B2) Internal Tidesmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…4, Amaro et al, 2015). Typically, these events were marked by a sharp increase in suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration, followed by a gradual decrease to normal values in the course of several days.…”

Section: C) Recent Sediment Gravity Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Whittard Canyon – A case study of submarine canyon processes

Amaro

Huvenne

Allcock

et al. 2016

Progress in Oceanography

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Section: B2) Internal Tidesmentioning

confidence: 56%

Section: B2) Internal Tidesmentioning

confidence: 60%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Whittard Canyon – A case study of submarine canyon processes

Amaro

Huvenne

Allcock

et al. 2016

Progress in Oceanography

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“…This creates a favorable environment for phytoplankton growth, thus enhancing primary production (Pingree and Mardell, 1985;Huthnance, 1995). Tidal currents and internal waves can transport the primary production into canyons, thus providing food for filter-feeders such as CWCs (Huthnance, 1995;Amaro et al, 2015Amaro et al, , 2016.…”

Section: Water Masses and Currentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Internal waves enhance the mixing of water masses and the release of nutrients which in turn favor the development of plankton (Pingree and Mardell, 1985;Huthnance, 1995;Khripounoff et al, 2014). This primary production will be transported into the canyons, increasing the amount and quality of food (Huthnance, 1995;Amaro et al, 2015Amaro et al, , 2016.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold-Water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons of the Bay of Biscay

et al. 2017

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The topographical and hydrological complexity of submarine canyons, coupled with high substratum heterogeneity, make them ideal environments for cold-water coral (CWC) habitats. These habitats, including reefs, are thought to provide important functions for many organisms. The canyons incising the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay have distinct morphological differences from the north to the south. CWCs have been reported from this basin in the late nineteenth century; however, little is known about their present-day distribution, diversity and environmental drivers in the canyons. In this study, the characteristics and distribution of CWC habitats in the submarine canyons of the Bay of Biscay are investigated. Twenty-four canyons and three locations between adjacent canyons were sampled using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) or a towed camera system. Acquired images were annotated for habitat type (using the CoralFISH classification system), substrate cover and coral identification. Furthermore, the influence of hydrological factors and geomorphology on the CWC distribution was investigated. Eleven coral habitats, formed by 62 morphotypes of scleractinians, gorgonians, antipatharians and seapens, inhabiting hard and/or soft substrate, were observed. The distribution patterns were heterogenous at regional and local scales; the south Bay of Biscay and the southeastern flank favored soft substrate habitats. Biogenic and hard substrate habitats supported higher coral diversities than soft substrate habitats and had similar species compositions. A higher coral species turnover characterized soft substrate habitats. Substrate type was the most important driver of the patterns in both distribution and composition. Observations of coral reefs on steeper areas in the canyons and coral rubble on flatter areas on the interfluve/upper slope support the hypothesis that canyons serve as refuges, being less accessible to trawling, although natural causes may also contribute to the explanation of this distribution pattern. The results of this study fed into a proposal of a Natura 2000 network in the Bay of Biscay where management plans are rare.

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Seafloor bioturbation intensity on the deep sea: More complex than organic matter

Miguez‐Salas,

Saeedi,

Brandt

et al. 2024

Limnology & Oceanography

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Deep‐sea benthic communities are strongly controlled by the quantity and quality of organic matter sinking from the ocean surface. The interaction between benthic fauna and seafloor sediments mainly occurs through bioturbation that modifies substrate properties (e.g., geochemical profiles). The intensity of the bioturbation has long been linked with organic matter and measured as a diffusive process by considering the vertical particle reworking (endobenthic bioturbation), disregarding the seafloor horizontal mixing (epibenthic bioturbation). Here, a novel approach to quantify horizontal mixing is presented: Seafloor Bioturbation Intensity (SBI). SBI calculations were based on seafloor image datasets from eight stations that reflected different environmental conditions in the north‐western Pacific (e.g., chlorophyll a, silicate). To calculate SBI, we characterized the area occupied by all different types of traces (i.e., lebensspuren) related to epibenthic bioturbation, trace makers, and their ingested sediment thickness. Our results showed a weak negative correlation between organic matter and SBI. This relationship contrast with the traditionally held view on vertical bioturbation intensity, where a dominant positive correlation is expected. It is demonstrated that lebensspuren morphotypes contributed differently to SBI. Not all morphotypes—and, by extension, their corresponding trace makers—are equally controlled by the same environmental factors. This investigation does not dismiss the importance of organic matter content, but emphasizes the importance of other environmental variables that need to be considered when determining the long‐term relation between epibenthic fauna and bioturbation intensity. Finally, we emphasize the importance of characterizing horizontal bioturbation for approaching global biogeochemical cycles and conservational strategies.

show abstract

Organic matter enrichment in the Whittard Channel; its origin and possible effects on benthic megafauna

Cited by 45 publications

References 46 publications

The Whittard Canyon – A case study of submarine canyon processes

The Whittard Canyon – A case study of submarine canyon processes

Cold-Water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons of the Bay of Biscay

Seafloor bioturbation intensity on the deep sea: More complex than organic matter

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