MODELING THE DEPOSITION AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ORGANIC-CARBON FROMMARINE SEWAGE DISCHARGES

The impacts of particulate organic carbon on marine benthic ecosystems have been modelled mathematically. The principal model (BenOss-Biolog ical Effects and Organic Solids Sedimentation) links various modules: particle tracking; a resuspension module which accounts for both depos ition and resuspension of carbon at the sea bed; a chemical module whi ch removes organic carbon according to its degradability using the G-m odel; and a biological module which predicts benthic community structu re on the basis of carbon availability. The model predicts the benthic effects of reducing carbon input. Observations of benthic community s tructure are related to predictions of carbon deposition arising from a discharge. Predictions of carbon deposition are correlated with chan ges in total species abundance, abundance of subsurface deposit-feeder s and suspension-feeders. (C) 1998 Academic Press.