Microscale response of sediment variables to benthic disturbance in the Central Indian Ocean Basin

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.