title: Fatty acid profiles of benthic environment associated with artificial reefs in subtropical Hong Kong.
abstract: Artificial reefs can enhance habitat heterogeneity, especially in seabed degraded by bottom-dredging and trawling. However, the trophodynamics of such reef systems are not well understood. This study provided baseline data on trophic relationships in the benthic environment associated with artificial reefs in late spring and mid summer of subtropical Hong Kong, using fatty acid profiles as an indicator. Data from sediments collected at the reef base, materials from sediment traps deployed on top and bottom of the reefs, total particulate matter from the water column and oyster tissues from reef surface were subjected to principal component analysis. Results showed variations of fatty acid profiles in the total particulate matter, upper sediment trap and oyster tissue samples collected in the two samplings, indicating seasonal, trophodynamic changes within the reef system. The wastes produced by fish aggregating at the reefs can also contribute a source of biodeposits to the nearby benthic environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Siu Gin
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Ho Yin
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wai
authors.forename: Paul K S
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005399:Fishes; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D006723:Hong Kong; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000737:chemistry; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids