Bentho-pelagic coupling at Potter Cove, Antarctica: A fatty acid approach.

GRAEVE, MARTIN; RICARDO SAHADE; VERÓNICA L. FUENTES; MARCOS TATIÁN; GERHARD KATTNER

Berichte zur Polar-und Meeresforschung /Reports on Polar and Marine Research

Alfred Wegener Institute

Lugar: Bremerhaven; Año: 2008 vol. 571 p. 147 - 154

1618-3193

In this study fatty acids profiles of different compartments, water column, sediments, and some benthic suspension feeders species,  are used to trace down the possible origin and pathway of the energy that fuels the Potter Cove ecosystem.The absence of bacterial traces in the particulate matter was striking which may suggest that detritus are mainly produced physically due to rupture of particles from macroalgal. While the proportions of especially odd-chain and branched fatty acids indicate that bacterial activities are important in sediments. As well as the role of zooplankton via the production of faecal pellets seems to be important for the benthic system. This is the first approach to the food web structure and energy pathways on the Potter Cove and showed the necessity to extend the analysis to other ecosystems compartments as well as to intensify the study of seasonal and inter-annual dynamics of this ecosystem which in turn will be extremely useful to asses and predict the potential effects of climate change on Antarctic coastal systems.