S. Nair et al., Microscale response of sediment variables to benthic disturbance in the Central Indian Ocean Basin, MAR GEORES, 18(3), 2000, pp. 273-283
The response of sediment bacteria and biochemical variables to benthic dist
urbance was investigated in the Central Indian Ocean Basin from cores at ni
ne stations. Generally bacterial density and biochemical variables declined
vertically with depth in the upper, lavers of the cores. Mechanical distur
bance caused by a hydraulic disturber brought about a substantial decrease
in total bacterial numbers. However the numbers of retrievable bacteria inc
reased by two orders of magnitude. The biochemical parameters decreased in
quantity with a shift in the linear relationship. The data suggest that abi
otic artifacts will directly affect the biomass and biochemistry of the sed
iment.