Influence of Particle Mixing on Vertical Profiles of Chlorophyll a and Bacterial Biomass in Sediments of the German Bight, Oyster Ground and Dogger Bank (North Sea)

Abstract

In May and September 1999 11 stations were sampled in the southern and central North Sea, located in the German Bight, eastern Oyster Ground and Dogger Bank. The study focused on the influence of particle mixing on transport of chlorophyll a to deeper sediment layers and vertical bacterial distribution (max. depth=10cm). The sampling stations were chosen to reflect a gradient in environmental conditions in the North Sea. The sampling stations differed in respect to redox potential (eH up to −243mV in the German Bight and up to 274mV in the offshore regions), silt content (up to 54% in the German Bight and 0·34% at the northern Dogger Bank) and different proportion of fresh organic material on total organic matter content (C/N ratios ranging from 9·27 in the German Bight up to 1·72 in the offshore sediments). Although bacterial densities (8·55×109g−1in the German Bight up to 0·35×109g−1in offshore sediments) were significantly correlated to chlorophyll a content in the sediment (P<0·01), inconsistencies in the temporal pattern of both variables in the surficial sediment layer suggested, that the dynamics of bacterial densities is generally controlled by food supply but also by other variables. The chlorophyll a content in the surficial sediments of the German Bight (up to 1·84μgg−1) was significantly higher than in the Oyster Ground (up to 0·58μgg−1) and the Dogger Bank area (up to 0·68μgg−1). With increasing chlorophyll a input to the benthic realm a subsequent enhanced burial of this compound into deeper sediment layers was expected either by biological (bioturbation) or by physical sediment mixing. However, the vertical profile of chlorophyll a decreased steeply in the sediments of the German Bight. Contrary, subsurface peaks were measured in the offshore areas. It was concluded from these results, that the vertical distribution of organic matter in sediments is less limited by the quantitative input from the water column but concomitant with particle mixing itself. The extent and possible mechanisms of particle mixing in the different study areas in relation to specific environmental factors is discussed.