Meiofauna Shaping Biogeochemical Processes

• Biogeochemical processes at the sediment–water interface are essential for the functioning of marine ecosystems. It is a central question in benthic ecology how these processes are controlled and mediated by biotic factors. Particularly, the role of meiobenthos, the most abundant and diverse faunal component in these systems, is little understood and requires more attention. In this chapter, we discuss the impact of meiofauna bioturbation in marine sediments on significant mechanisms and processes in (a) carbon degradation and oxygen penetration, (b) sulfide dynamics, and (c) nitrogen cycling. Particularly in the growing hypoxic areas of the seafloor where meiofauna is often the only animal group present, the role and bioturbative activities of this central component of the benthos need further scrutiny regarding the decrease of oxygen and increase of toxic hydrogen sulfide. These knowledge gaps in the interaction between meiofauna and marine biogeochemistry are the background for our concluding outlines: We present current research frontiers in order to assess the role of meiofauna as regulators of geochemical processes and microbial activities. These goals require combination of quantitative and qualitative meiobenthos investigations with state-of-the-art experimental work.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Geokemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Geochemistry (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kap (subject category)