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Published on: August 14, 2020
Microalgal mediation of ripple mobility
P L Friend1, C H Lucas, P M Holligan
1School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK. plf@maerskoil.com
Geobiology
|April 3, 2008
Summary
Microalgae blooms can halt sandy intertidal flat ripple migration by stabilizing sediments. This biostabilization, driven by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), reduces bed roughness and aids ripple preservation in the geological record.
Area of Science:
- Marine Geology
- Microbiology
- Sedimentology
Background:
- Intertidal flats are dynamic environments shaped by physical forces.
- Microalgal blooms can influence sediment properties and stability.
- Understanding biostabilization is key to intertidal sediment dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how microalgal blooms affect physical factors controlling ripple migration.
- To examine the role of microalgae in the biostabilization of intertidal sediments.
- To provide in situ evidence for microalgal mediation of ripple movement.
Main Methods:
- Weekly monitoring of ripple position and geometry over 5 weeks.
- Sampling of surface sediment for chlorophyll a and carbohydrate content.
- Analysis of pigment composition (peridinin, fucoxanthin) to identify microalgal groups.
- Stepwise multiple regression to determine predictor variables for chlorophyll a.
Main Results:
- Ripples remained stationary for at least 4 weeks during a microalgal bloom.
- Bedform height decreased (smoothing) and sediment deposition occurred (levelling).
- Chlorophyll a and carbohydrate content increased during the bloom, with diatoms and dinophytes identified.
- Peridinin was the best predictor of chlorophyll a, indicating dinophyte influence.
Conclusions:
- Microalgae, particularly diatoms and dinophytes, significantly impact intertidal flat ripple mobility.
- Microalgal blooms reduce bed roughness, bottom stress, and erodability.
- Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from microalgae likely prolonged ripple stabilization.
- These processes may contribute to ripple mark preservation in the geological record.
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