Particulate matter resuspension via metabolically produced gas bubbles from benthic estuarine microalgae communities

Abstract

Gas bubbles originating from interstitial and epibenthic organisms in Thalassia testudinum culture and field systems were observed to rise and resuspend adsorbed particulate matter. In culture, 307.9 ml of gas were evolved and 0.97 g dry wt of particulate matter was resuspended·m−2·24 h−1. In situ studies in Tampa Bay, Florida, yielded similar values for gas production, but higher particulate loads. Chromatographic analyses of the bubbles indicated that the major component was photosynthetically produced oxygen. The resuspended particulate matter was 70–96% inorganic; the organic fraction consisted of living organisms and detrital material. This phenomenon may be important in the sediment kinetics and nutrient cycles of estuarine systems.