Disturbance of intertidal sediments: The response of bacteria and foraminifera

Abstract

Incubation experiments are common in marine experimental studies but the impact on organisms and geochemical parameters is poorly understood. Here, the re-establishment of vertical bacterial and foraminiferal zonation in intertidal sediments was studied after sieving and subsequent incubation of sediment. Living (Rose Bengal stained) foraminifera were counted and redox sensitive elements in the pore water were measured using a voltammetric microelectrode. Bacterial abundances were quantified using phospholipid derived fatty acid (PLFA) methyl esters in the range of C12-C22 released from intact phospholipids. Foraminifera appeared to be predominantly dependent on the presence of oxygen; they ..