Nutrient recycling by coastal sediments: effects of added algal material

Abstract

The deposition of a Skeletonema bloom onto sediment collected in a coastal bay was simulated and the effects on O2, N and P fluxes were recorded. A comparison of calculated net production and observed net efflux of inorganic nitrogen (IN = ammonium + nitrate) for the period prior to the addition of algae, indicated that two-thirds of the produced ammonium was nitrified and subsequently denitrified. Extrapolating to the size of Laholm Bay, SE Kattegat (sampling site), suggests that the settlement of algae (realistic amount used here) would make the sediment the most important nutrient source of this bay for a few weeks period. -from Author