Destabilisation of cohesive intertidal sediments by infauna

E. M. G. T. de Deckere, T. J. Tolhurst, J. F. C. de Brouwer

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Abstract

Bioturbation activity was reduced in four plots on an intertidal mudflat in the Humber estuary (UK) during 4 days, by spraying the sediment with an insecticide, namely vydate. Macrofaunal, especially Nereis diversicolor and oligochaeta, and meiofaunal densities decreased, while the diatom biomass did not change. This resulted in a 300% increase in sediment stability, caused by a reduction in bioturbation and grazing pressure and a decrease in the water content.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)665-669
Number of pages5
JournalEstuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Volume53
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2001

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