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Effects of an unusual natural temperature increase on a baltic soft-bottom community

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Abstract

The effects of a sudden, extraordinary temperature rise upon a soft-bottom community in the northern Baltic Sea were studied continuously for more than a month, during the summer of 1968. The mean bundance of the total macrofauna on the muddy bottom amounted to ca 6×103 individuals · m-2, on the sandy bottom to 2×104 individuals· m-2. The meiofauna, only sampled in the mud, averaged 1×106 individuals · m-2, with nematodes, oligochaetes and ostracods as dominating groups. During this period, the redoxpotential-discontinuity (RPD)-layer successively moved upwards in the muddy bottom, being relatively stable in the sand. The mud surface showed a succession of microbial communities. The initially oxidized, yellow surface film, with patches of diatoms and red Spirula, changed to a more grayish layer, with purple areas here interpreted as Chromatium and white spots of Beggiatoa. The latter dominated during the last part of the period, covering vast areas of the bottom like a gigantic cobweb. The endofauna was forced upwards by the emerging RPD-layer, the more sensitive components dying off, facultative anaerobes and nematodes flourishing. The described temperature increase of about 10 C° simulates the effects of a 3000 MW nuclear plant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden

    S. Ankar & B. O. Jansson

  2. the Askö Laboratory, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden

    S. Ankar & B. O. Jansson

Authors
  1. S. Ankar
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  2. B. O. Jansson
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Communicated by B. Swedmark, Fiskebäckskil

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Ankar, S., Jansson, B.O. Effects of an unusual natural temperature increase on a baltic soft-bottom community. Marine Biology 18, 9–18 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347915

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347915

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