Abstract
The vertical distributions of chlorophyll a and ATP within the uppermost 12 cm of sand were highly correlated (r = 0.97–0.99). The contents of Chl a and ATP decreased only slightly within the uppermost 2–4 cm, while decreasing more rapidly below. There were no differences between the Chl a or ATP contents of samples (0–5 cm) from ridges and depressions of ripple marks. The coefficients of variations of Chl a and ATP for 9 samples taken 1 m apart were about 10 %. These results are interpreted as reflecting a well-mixed upper layer of sand. The average ATP/Chl a ratio for the uppermost 5 cm was 0.6, which is comparable to ratios found for other shallow-water sediments. Due to limited knowledge about the cellular Chl a and ATP levels of sediment biota, it is not possible at present to use Chl a and ATP measurements to distinguish between auto- and heterotrophic biomass components.
Research carried out at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Research carried out at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Notes
Research carried out at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Florida, U.S.A.