Abstract
A rapid method for measuring the redox potential (Eh) values of marine sediments is described. This method has been used to relate changes in the areas of highly reduced sediment in a sea loch system to the continuously fluctuating inputs of organic waste from a pulp and paper mill. Subsequent faunal changes in these areas can be related to changes in the measured sedimentary redox level. The method is suggested as a rapid means of assessing the potential impact of an additional organic input to a marine sediment.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Bågander, L.E. and L. Niemistö: An evaluation of the use of redox measurements for characterising recent sediments. Estuar. cstl mar. Sci. 6, 127–134 (1978)
Craib, J.S.: A sampler for taking short undisturbed marine cores. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 30, 34–39 (1965)
Fenchel, T.M. and R.J. Riedl: The sulphide system: a new biotic commnity underneath the oxidized layer of marine sand bottoms. Mar. Biol. 7, 255–268 (1970)
Grassle, J.F. and J.P. Grassle: Opportunistic life histories and genetic systems in marine benthic polychaetes. J. mar. Res. 32, 253–284 (1974)
Hargrave, B.T.: Oxidation reduction potentials, oxygen concentration and oxygen uptake of profundal sediments in a eutrophic lake. Oikos 23, 167–177 (1972)
MacArthur, R.H.: On the relative abundance of species. Am. Nat. 94, 25–36 (1960)
Pearson, T.H.: The benthic ecology of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, a sea-loch system on the west coast of Scotland. I. The physical environment and distribution of the macrobenthic fauna. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 5, 1–34 (1970)
— The benthic ecology of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, a sea-loch system on the west coast of Scotland. III. The effect on the benthic fauna of the introduction of pulp mill effluent. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 6, 211–233 (1971)
— The benthic ecology of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, a sea-loch system on the west coast of Scotland, IV. Changes in the benthic fauna attributable to organic enrichment. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 20, 1–41 (1975)
Pearson, T.H. and R. Rosenberg: A comparative study of the effects on the marine environment of wastes from cellulose industries in Scotland and Sweden. Ambio 5, 77–79 (1976)
——: Macrobenthic succession in relation to organic enrichment and pollution of the marine environment. Oceanogr. mar. Biol. A. Rev. 16, 229–311 (1978)
Stanley, S.O., T.H. Pearson and C.M. Brown: Marine microbial ecosystems and the degradation of organic pollutants. In: The oil industry and microbial ecosystems, pp 60–79. Ed. by K.W.A. Chater and H.J. Somerville. London: Heyden & Son (for the Institute of Petroleum) 1978
Whitfield, M.: Eh as an operational parameter in estuarine studies. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 547–558 (1969)
— Ion selective electrodes for the analysis of natural waters, 130 pp. Sydney: Australian Marine Sciences Association 1971 (AMSA Handb. No. 2)
Zobell, C.E.: Studies on redox potential of marine sediments. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol Geol. 30, 477–513 (1946)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pearson, T.H., Stanley, S.O. Comparative measurement of the redox potential of marine sediments as a rapid means of assessing the effect of organic pollution. Marine Biology 53, 371–379 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391620
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391620