Microbial–meiofaunal interrelationships in coastal sediments of the Red Sea
Joint Authors
al-Talasat, Abd Allah R.
al-Misnid, Fahd Abd Allah
al-Surayhi, Hamid Bin Abd al-Hamid
al-Rashid, Khalid A.
Gewik, Muhammad M.
Source
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
Issue
Vol. 23, Issue 3 (31 May. 2016), pp.327-334, 8 p.
Publisher
Publication Date
2016-05-31
Country of Publication
Saudi Arabia
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Population density and biomass of bacteria and meiofauna were investigated seasonally in the sediments of the north-western bank of Red Sea.
Samples of sediments were collected seasonally from three different stations to determine microphytobenthic biomass (chlorophyll a), protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and total organic matter concentrations.
These investigations revealed that microbial components tended to increase their dominancy, whereas sensitive meiofauna were extremely reduced during the entire study period.
Thus a very low density of the total meiofauna (with an annual average of 109± 26 ind./10 cm2) was recorded whilst the benthic microbial population densities exhibited higher values (ranging from 0.31 ±0.02 108 to 43.67 ± 18.62 108/g dry sediment).
These changes in the relative importance analysis of benthic microbial components versus meiofaunal ones seem to be based on the impact of organic matter accumulation on the function and structure of these benthic communities.
Proteins, lipids and carbohydrates showed very low concentration values, and the organic matter mostly consisted of carbohydrates, reflecting lower nutritional values for benthic fauna in general and meiofauna in particular.
The distribution of microbial and meiofaunal communities seems to be dependent on the quality of the organic matter rather than on its quantity.
Total organic matter concentrations varied between 5.8 and 7.6 mg/g, with organic carbon accounting for only 32% of the total organic matter.
Chlorophyll a attained very low values, fluctuating between 0.11 and 0.56 lg/g, indicating the oligotrophy of the studied area.
The very low concentration of chlorophyll a in the Red Sea sediment suggests that the sedimentary organic matter, heterotrophic bacteria and/or protozoa constitute an alternative resource
American Psychological Association (APA)
al-Surayhi, Hamid Bin Abd al-Hamid& al-Rashid, Khalid A.& al-Misnid, Fahd Abd Allah& al-Talasat, Abd Allah R.& Gewik, Muhammad M.. 2016. Microbial–meiofaunal interrelationships in coastal sediments of the Red Sea. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences،Vol. 23, no. 3, pp.327-334.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-689482
Modern Language Association (MLA)
al-Surayhi, Hamid Bin Abd al-Hamid…[et al.]. Microbial–meiofaunal interrelationships in coastal sediments of the Red Sea. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Vol. 23, no. 3 (May. 2016), pp.327-334.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-689482
American Medical Association (AMA)
al-Surayhi, Hamid Bin Abd al-Hamid& al-Rashid, Khalid A.& al-Misnid, Fahd Abd Allah& al-Talasat, Abd Allah R.& Gewik, Muhammad M.. Microbial–meiofaunal interrelationships in coastal sediments of the Red Sea. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2016. Vol. 23, no. 3, pp.327-334.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-689482
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references : p. 332-334
Record ID
BIM-689482