Impact of Bottom Roughness and Bioturbation Intensity on Benthic Optical Properties

摘要

The ultimate objective of this research program is to identify and obtain a predictive understanding of the physical and biological processes responsible for the formation and maintenance of the microtopography (decimeter to millimeter) of the sea floor. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to study formative processes occurring on the sediment surface (e.g., biogenic mound formation, ripple development), as well as processes occurring within the seabed (e.g., bioturbation, compaction) which generally lessen microtopography. The approach to this area of interest is predominantly field oriented, with a secondary emphasis on model development. The primary goal of this project, which is part of the Coastal Benthic Optical Properties (CoBOP) DRI, is the quantification of bottom roughness along transects extending from open sand flats to coral reefs near Lee Stocking Island (LSI), Bahamas. Specific questions include: (1) What is the sediment bottom roughness; (2) Does sediment bottom roughness vary spatially in a predictable manner (e.g., away from the coral reef); (3) Does sediment bottom roughness vary significantly in time; and (4) What is the relationship between sediment bottom roughness and bioturbation intensity.