Benthic microbial activity in an Antarctic coastal sediment at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands

Nedwell, D.B.. 1989 Benthic microbial activity in an Antarctic coastal sediment at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 28 (5). 507-516. 10.1016/0272-7714(89)90026-7

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Abstract/Summary

Microbial activity in a marine sediment in Factory Cove, Signy Island (60°43′S, 45°38′W), South Orkney Islands in the maritime Antarctic was examined during December 1987 and January 1988. The sediment was bioturbated by a dense amphipod population in the surface layer but oxygen penetrated to a depth of only 1·7 mm. The top 1 cm was light coloured and contained negligible concentrations of acid-volatile sulphides. Below 1 cm the sediment was black and contained abundant sulphides. Sulphate reduction rates averaged 6·87 × 10−1 μmol sulphate cm−2d−1 over the 0–15 cm horizon, equivalent to 1·38 μmol organic carbon oxidized cm−2d−1. Of the sulphate reduced, 60% was to tin-reducible products (including pyrite) and 40% to acid-volatile sulphides. Annual sulphate reduction was at least 250 μmol sulphate cm−2y−1. The sea water temperature varied only between −1·8−1 °C, but the optimum temperature for sulphate reduction was 21 °C. Oxygen uptake by the benthos averaged 5·33 μmol oxygen cm−2d−1, equivalent to 5·33 μmol organic carbon oxidized cm−2d−1. Aerobic respiration accounted for 79% of the organic carbon mineralization and sulphate reduction for 21%.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/0272-7714(89)90026-7
ISSN:	02727714
Additional Keywords:	Antarctic, marine sediments, microbial activity, sulphate reduction, pyrite
Date made live:	18 Oct 2018 07:35 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/521279

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