Use of MicroCT to determine the functional ecology of intertidal infauna

Butterfield, Jonathan

Abstract

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.

Citation

Butterfield, J. Use of MicroCT to determine the functional ecology of intertidal infauna. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4215721

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jun 11, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Biological sciences
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4215721
• Additional Information: Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Feb 1, 2014