The Impact of Benthic Macrofauna for Nutrient Fluxes from Baltic Sea Sediments

Bibliographic Data

ID10889307
AuthorsKarin Karlson (University of Gothenburg), Erik Bonsdorff (0000-0001-5070-4880), Rutger Rosenberg (0000-0002-1267-9896)
Year2007
Volume36
Issue2
Pages161-167
Publication date2007-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAMBIO (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0044-7447 • E-ISSN: 1654-7209
PublisherRoyal Swedish Academy of Sciences (PUBLISHER • SE)
DOI10.1579/0044-7447(2007)36[161:tiobmf]2.0.co;2
PMID17520929
OpenAlexW2107030468
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited61

This article focuses on the ecological role of benthic macrofauna on nutrient dynamics and benthic-pelagic coupling in the Baltic Sea with relation to eutrophication. Generally, benthic macrofaunal activities have large effects on sediment biogeochemistry and often with stimulatory effects on processes that counteract eutrophication, i.e., denitrification and increased phosphorus retention of the sediment. The degree of faunal impact on such processes varies depending on faunal density and functional group composition. The effect of macrofaunal activities on sediment nutrient dynamics can also result in a higher nitrogen: phosporus ratio of the sediments efflux compared with sediments without macrofauna. Increased internal nutrient loading during eutrophication-induced anoxia is suggested to be caused both by altered sediment biogeochemical processes and through reduced or lost bioturbating macrofauna and thereby a reduced stimulatory effect from their activities on natural purification processes of the Baltic Sea ecosystem.

Benthic zone · Biogeochemical cycle · Biogeochemistry · Biology · Ecosystem · Eutrophication · Nutrient · Nutrient cycle · Sediment · Ecology · Environmental Science · Geology · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Marine and coastal ecosystems · Marine Biology and Ecology Research · Oceanography

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