An ecophysiological study of the Meiofauna of the Swartkops Estuary: 3. Partition of benthic oxygen consumption and the relative importance of the <i>Meiofauna</i>

Abstract

Benthic oxygen demand was measured by dark and light bottle technique at two beaches in the Swartkops estuary, near Port Elizabeth. Respiration of nematodes was measured by polarographic micro-rcspirometer technique. Secondary production was 82 g C/m²/y in sandy areas and 863 g C/m²/y in muddy areas rich in the prawn Callianassa kraussi. Meiofauna production was 1,72 g C/m²/y in sand and 0,24 g C/m²/y in mud. The meiofauna] contribution to secondary production was 2,1% and 0,03% for these two areas respectively. The largest proportion of secondary production was due to micro-organisms: 92% in sand and 73,5% in mud. Macrofauna accounted for 5,75% and 24,4%. It is concluded that meiofauna in these exposed sand and mud flat areas is not quantitatively important, but the qualitative importance may be considerable.