Particulate and Dissolved Organic Matter in Estuaries

The microphytobenthos consist of an assemblage of benthic diatoms (principally pen-nate in shape) that typically migrate vertically in the sediments over a diurnal period (Serodio et ah, 1998). Enhanced turbidity in shallow regions from resuspension events can limit light penetration thus, the most effective time for primary production occurs in intertidal sand and mud flats during daytime exposure periods (Guarini et ah, 2000, 

Even in the deeper coastal waters of the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) (USA) 

Wetlands such as freshwater/salt marshes and mangroves have been shown to be major sources of primary production in estuarine systems (Kirby and Gooselink, 1976 Pomeroy and Wiegert, 1981). In fact, the outwelling hypothesis of Odum (1968) suggested that salt 

Genus/species Location Net primary production (gCm-2d- ) References 

Macrocystis South America, New Zealand, South Africa 1.0-4.1 Branch and Griffiths (1988) Schiel (1994) 

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