title: Biogeochemical processes and nutrient cycling within an artificial reef off Southern Portugal.
abstract: This study (2002/2004) examines the effect of artificial reef (AR) structures off the southern coast of Portugal on biogeochemical process and nutrient cycling. Organic and inorganic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll a were determined monthly in sediment cores and settled particles for a two-year period. Ammonium, nitrates, phosphates, silicates, total organic nitrogen and phosphorus, chlorophyll a and phaeopigments were also determined monthly in water samples within AR and control sites. Results of the two-year study showed that: (i) there was a significant exponential fit between organic carbon and chlorophyll a (r2=0.91; p<0.01) in reef sediment suggesting an increase of benthic productivity; (ii) organic carbon and nitrogen content in settled particles within AR environment was about four times higher two years after reef deployment; (iii) nutrients and chlorophyll a in the water column were higher at AR than control site. Two years after AR deployment, dissolved organic and inorganic compounds in near bottom water were 30-60% higher, emphasizing benthic remineralization processes at AR's organically rich sediment. Marked chemical changes in the ecosystem were observed during the two-year study period, reinforcing the importance of these structures for sandy coastal areas rehabilitation through trophic chain pull-out.
authors.affiliation: IPIMAR-Centro Regional de Investigação Pesqueira do Sul, Av. 5 de Outubro, 8700-305 Olhão, Portugal. mfalcao@cripsul.ipimar.pt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Falcão
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Monteiro
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D000077194:Chlorophyll A; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011174:Portugal; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002734:Chlorophyll; D010758:Phosphorus; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen; D000077194:Chlorophyll A