Author(s): M. Pivato; L. Carniello; P. D'Odorico

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Microphytobenthos; Water turbidity; Shallow tidal environments; Bio-stabilization; Sediment temperature; Light availability

Abstract: The microphytobenthos (MPB) proliferation is mostly driven by sediments temperature and light availability, and provides a bio-stabilizing effect on the bed sediments. This suggests a possible positive feedback between water turbidity and MPB growth. Shallow tidal environments (e.g. bays, estuaries, lagoons) represent one of the most productive areas of the world, and they are threatened by current climate change and increasing human pressures. Monitoring the eco-bio-morphodynamic evolution of these environments is, therefore, a crucial task that requires a detailed scrutiny. The microphytobenthos (MPB), consisting of microscopic, eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria, plays a crucial role for the coastal ecosystems dynamics. In fact, benthic microalgae are one of the major factors driving primary productivity in shallow coastal environments, concurring significantly to carbon intake and oxygen and nutrients production, and constitute also a food source for secondary producers. MPB not only affects the primary productivity, but also the short and long term morphodynamic evolution of the environments. In fact, benthic diatoms produce extracellular polymeric substance, creating a biofilm on the sediment surface that provides a stabilizing effect, reducing the sediment erosion and resuspension. The interaction between MPB and morphodynamics provides a good example to support the necessity of an eco-bio-morphodynamic approach in the study of coastal environments. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of the water turbidity on the MPB biomass growth. Two major factors driving the MPB proliferation are the surface sediments temperature and the light availability at the bottom, both affected by the water turbidity conditions.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-981-11-2731-1_097-cd

Year: 2018