The Role of Benthic Organisms in the Degradation and Preservation of Planktonic Lipids in Coastal Sediments

几种浮游脂类化合物的降解速率常数将在受控的实验室条件下进行研究。底栖动物的活动是最可能导致在野外测量的有氧和无氧沉积物剖面中所观察到的速率常数差异的因素。动物可以改变氧/缺氧边界，控制物质运输过程，直接或间接影响微生物种群，并直接消耗有机碎屑。缺氧和缺氧条件下再矿化效率和中间产物形成的差异表明降解遵循不同的途径。研究将特别考虑放牧对浮游生物脂质的降解和保存的影响，底栖动物引起的生物扰动和缺氧状态之间的振荡。底栖动物影响下放射性示踪剂的降解率和途径。对孵育实验期间产生的代谢物结构的进一步深入研究将提供这些重要化合物降解的更详细的图像。

9503760 SUN Degradation rate constants for several planktonic lipid compound will be investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Activity of benthic animals was the most likely factor causing the difference observed between rate constants in oxic and anoxic sediments profiles measured in the field. Animals can alter oxic/anoxic boundaries, control material transport processes, directly or indirectly affect microbial populations, and directly consume organic detritus. Differences under oxic versus anoxic conditions in remineralization efficiency and formation of intermediate products show that degradation follows different pathways. Research will specially consider the effects on degradation and preservation of planktonic lipids of grazing, bioturbation and oscillation between oxic and anoxic conditions caused by benthic animals. Radiolabelled tracers degradation rates and pathways under various influences of benthic animals. Further intensive study of the structure of metabolites produced during incubation experiments will provide a more detailed picture of the degradation of these important compounds.