BIORESUSPENSION AND BIODEPOSITION - A REVIEW

The present literature on biologically mediated fluxes from the benthi c nepheloid layer (BNL) across the sediment-water interface into the s ediment and vice versa is reviewed. The processes involved are categor ised according to direct bioresuspension and biodeposition, i.e. direc t interception of the animal with particles, and those effects, which are indirectly created by benthic organisms, e.g., changes of physical properties in the sediments, constructions like tubes and pits and th e corresponding changes in hydrodynamic conditions. It is concluded th at benthic organisms significantly increase the flux of particles acro ss the interface and that the physically created fluxes are easily mod ified by a factor of 2 and more.