Use of MicroCT to determine the functional ecology of intertidal infauna

Intertidal infauna through the process of bioturbation, play a major role in estuarine ecosystem functioning. Despite this, methods to both quantitatively and qualitatively assess the features produced from bioturbation have been limited. This study builds upon the recently developed technique by Mazik et al. (2008), by stabilizing sediment cores and using μCT scanning to obtain burrow parameters along a salinity and elevation gradient. In-situ agar stabilization reduced the collapse of large infaunal biogenic features in sediment cores on intertidal mudflats and accurately determined burrow volumes and surface area of these structures through μCT and three dimensional image processing software, demonstrating that the presence of the polychaete Hediste diversicolor can increase surface area of bioturbated sediments to over 50%. It is likely that agar stabilization may also be an adequate substitute for several other stabilizing techniques used on sub-tidal sediment cores.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

MSc

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Hull

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Butterfield, Jonathan

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Elliott, M. (Michael), 1952 November 3-
• Mazik, Krystina

• Biological sciences

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:hull-repository.worktribe.com:4215721

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:hull-repository.worktribe.com:4215721