Real-Time Measurements of Sediment Modification by Large Macrofauna
Abstract
Benthic macroinfauna modify sediment properties through a diverse array of behaviors, this includes altering acoustical properties. Many current models of infaunal effects on sediment properties do not include the diverse effects of various infauna, for two primary reasons: 1) lack of empirical data, and 2) the complexity of infaunal effects that occur on time and spatial scales. The diversity of size, activity, and behavior in benthic communities has proven challenging to capture and understand. Developing new methodologies to capture these small scale impacts and in the process collecting otherwise unavailable empirical data is key to advancing our understanding of sediment modification by large macrofauna, and will allow development of better predictive models of infaunal impacts on sediment acoustics, structure, and biogeochemistry. Furthermore, understanding how these behaviors may change due to the interactions among individuals in a community is also vital to developing realistic predictive models of significance to Naval operations. The primary objective in the previous project year has been to develop additional techniques to capture particle and porewater transport effects of large benthic infauna that compliment the work completed by Woodin with planar optodes and pressure sensors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA527145
Entities
People
- George Waldbusser
- Margaret Palmer
Organizations
- University of Maryland