Seasonal Variations in the Availability of Food for Benthos in a Coastal Environment

Abstract

The quantity of suspended and deposited particulate material was measured over a period of 1 year in a coastal environment. Maximum deposition of sediment occurred during periods May to July, and October to December. The first maximum occurred approximately 2 months after the spring phytoplankton bloom and consisted largely of phytogenous material. The total quantity of this material deposited represented approximately half of the annual primary production. The second sediment maximum was due to terrigenous material from the immediate vicinity of the coast.