FURTHER COMMENT ON THE RESPONSE OF EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE ESTUARIES TO VARIABLE FRESHWATER INFLOWS

Abstract

Summary River flow patterns in the Kariega, Great Fish and Keiskamma estuaries, South Africa are examined to assess the impact variation in flow has upon the delivery of inorganic nutrients, total organic carbon, primary productivity and the heterotrophic components, bacteria and zooplankton. Switching from a suspensoid—microalgal based energy source to an autochthonous detritus base is reviewed in the context of these effects. Keywords: estuariesfreshwater inflowsnutrientsprimary productivityzooplanktonecosystem energy switch