Distribution, growth, and productivity of benthic blue-green algal mats of a sea-marginal hypersaline lake (Gulf of Elat, Sinai)
Cohen, Y.; Krumbein, W.E. (1976). Distribution, growth, and productivity of benthic blue-green algal mats of a sea-marginal hypersaline lake (Gulf of Elat, Sinai), in: Persoone, G. et al. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 10th European Symposium on Marine Biology, Ostend, Belgium, Sept. 17-23, 1975: 2. Population dynamics of marine organisms in relation with nutrient cycling in shallow waters. pp. 127
In: Persoone, G.; Jaspers, E. (Ed.) (1976). Proceedings of the 10th European Symposium on Marine Biology, Ostend, Belgium, Sept. 17-23, 1975: 2. Population dynamics of marine organisms in relation with nutrient cycling in shallow waters. IZWO/Universa Press: Wetteren. ISBN 90-6281-002-0. 712 pp., more
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Document type: Conference paper
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| Abstract |
Blue-green algal mats of a hypersaline, heliothermal heated sea-marginal pond on the shores of the Gulf of Elat (Israel) were investigated in the field, and in the laboratory by light microscopy and scanning-electron microscopy (SEMI as well as by methods in primary productivity, The mats were classified into four types: 1) flat shallow water mat; 2) pinnacle mat of the upper slope of the pond; 3) algal and bacterial films on gypsum crusts of the lower slope and ; 4) flocculose deeper bottom mats. The annual cycle and development, as well as accretion rates, of all these types are described. Photosynthesis measurements of the flat shallow water mat were made in the field and in the laboratory, The analysis of these mats, their productivity, the accretion of organic matter and degradation of organic carbon and nitrogen compounds within the mats, together with counting of the varved sediments of a stromatolitic type as well as 14C-age determinations, allowed the reconstruction of the paleolimnology of this sea-marginal "Solar lake". Approximately 95-98% of the annual production is recycled immediately upon production, Only 2-5 % are trapped in the sediments and then degraded under microaerophilic to anaerobic conditions within the uppermost 13 cm of the mat. Together with the recycling of organic carbon and nitrogen, the development of carbonate aggregates and layers of several types was observed. |
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