Control of Benthic Processes by Oxygen and Topography
Abstract
LONG TERM GOALS: Our goal is to identify the processes determining abundance, distribution, and composition of infaunal assemblages in bathyal settings including seamounts and continental margins. Effects of topography, oxygen availability and organic matter supply are of primary concern. SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES: Research this year continues examination of the nature and causes of shifts in benthic community structure across the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) on the Oman Margin, Arabian Sea. Our objectives were to (a) distinguish community-level effects of low bottom-water oxygen concentration, water depth, hydrodynamic regime and organic enrichment on the structure of margin assemblages (b) examine biogenic sediment features as community structuring agents (c) evaluate oxygen controls on bioturbation (d) test biofacies models constructed for ancient low oxygen environments using modern faunas and (e) generate data for a model that examines oxygen influence on trophic pathways.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA634255
Entities
People
- Lisa A. Levin
Organizations
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography