In situ benthic oxygen fluxes in a nearshore coastal marine system: a new approach to quantify the effect of wave action

Abstract

A study at Kings Beach, South Africa, using chambers with flexible membranes showed that oxygen consumption was significantly higher in chambers with flexible tops than in chambers with solid tops. The difference in the respective fluxes [18.5 ± 2.7 (95% CI) compared to 10.7 ± 4.6 ml O2 m-2 h-1] was positively correlated with the effect of wave action at this medium energy exposed beach. Wave action, with its resultant interstitial water flow, can significantly affect the oxygen consumption of shallow water sediments. -from Authors