The Benthic Environment

Abstract

This chapter is divided into two parts. The first describes the sedimentary environment and covers the formation, distribution and properties of seabed sediments, manganese nodules, sediment diagenesis and sedimentation. The second part describes the benthic fauna and flora, and covers a number of topics. These include the macro- and meiofauna, bioturbation, macro-algae and macro-algal production, benthic communities and larval biology, community diversity and stability, the effects of increasing water depth, adaptations of deep sea animals, and hydrothermal vents.