Benthic nutrients and oxygen fluxes at the water sediment interface in a pearl farming atoll (Ahe, Tuamotu, French Polynesia)

Type Article
Date 2021-12
Language English
Author(s) Grenz Christian1, Rodier Martine1, 2, Seceh Claire1, Varillon David3, Haumani Gabriel4, Pinazo Christel1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Aix-Marseille Université, Université Toulon, CNRS/INSU, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography MIO UM 110, Marseille, France
2 : Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR 241 EIO (Université de la Polynésie française, IRD, ILM, Ifremer), B.P. 6570, 98702 Faa'a, Tahiti, French Polynesia
3 : Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, US 191 IMAGO, BP A5, 98848 Nouméa cedex, New Caledonia
4 : Direction des Ressources Marines, Antenne de Takapoto, BP 20, 98713 Papeete, French Polynesia
Source Marine Pollution Bulletin (0025-326X) (Elsevier BV), 2021-12 , Vol. 173 , N. Part A , P. 112963 (8p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112963
WOS© Times Cited 3
Keyword(s) Benthic nutrient fluxes, Sediment respiration, Phytobenthic production, Atoll lagoon, Pearl farming, French Polynesia
Abstract

Benthic exchanges of oxygen and nutrient at the sediment-water interface were investigated under light and dark conditions at 5 selected sites in a sub-tropical atoll. Mean oxygen fluxes were - 1316.5 ± 242.0 μmol m−2 h−1 and mean effluxes of oxygen under light conditions were 2231.7 ± 626.4 μmol m−2 h−1, presumably due to microphytobenthos present at the sediment-water interface. The consequences of this high related productivity was a systematic consumption of nutrients (DIN, PO4 and Si(OH)4) during almost all light incubations, contrasting with the effluxes of nutrients during dark incubations. Our results suggest that the sediments were net autotrophic and the oxygen balance in favor of microbenthic production when compared to community demand. Diurnal rates of gross benthic primary productivity were high (3423 ± 1192 μmol m−2 h−1) which emphasize the role of microphytobenthos in maintaining the oxygen reservoir in tropical lagoons.

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