Manometric Assessment of interstitial microalgae production in two estuarine sediments

Summary The potential production of estuarine interstitial microalgae from two tidal flats differing in sediment texture was determined manometrically. Sediment cores from the Southbeach tidal flat showed a maximum amount of productivity in the lower intertidal zone whereas sediment cores from Sally's Bend showed no production in this zone. The upper cm³ of sediment from both tidal flats had a higher amount of gross potential production than subsurface core sections. the sandy substratum from Southbeach had an estimated gross annual production of 275–325 g C m^-2 yr^-1 whereas the silty substratum of Sally's Bend had an estimated value of 0–125 g C m^-2 yr^-1. Respiration/Photosynthesis (R/P) ratios indicate that respiration often exceeds photosynthesis on the Sally's Bend tidal flat.This investigation was supported by a predoctoral traineeship from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and is part of a dissertation submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph. D. degree to the Graduate School of Oregon State University, Corvallis.