HR: 08:00h
AN: OS51B-03    [Abstracts]
TI: Effect on the macrobenthic community structure of an abyssal salt diapir in the central Gulf of Mexico
AU: * Martinez, M
EM: namyr53@yahoo.com.mx
AF: Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM, Circuito Exterior, México, D.F 04510, Mexico
AU: Escobar, E
EM: escobri@mar.icmyl.unam.mx
AF: Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM, Circuito Exterior, México, D.F 04510, Mexico
AU: Mortera, C
EM: carlosm@ollin.igeofcu.unam.mx
AF: Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, Circuito de la investigación científica, México, D.F 04510, Mexico
AB: A salt diapir was mapped in the Sigsbee abyssal plain in the central Gulf of Mexico and studied to evaluate the effect on the variability of the macrobenthic community structure. Samples were collected along a linear transect in 6 stations associated with the salt diapir, including abyssal stations. The diapir affects sediment factors such as percentage of sand and silt and the elemental C/N ratio and percentage of organic carbon and nitrogen determining the distribution of the macrobenthic taxonomic richness and biomass. The densities of taxa such as ostracods, cumaceans, nematodes, polychaetes and turbelarids respond specifically to the availability of organic carbon and nitrogen in sediment. This salt diapir acts as a topography feature that modifies the superficial sediment conditions and food availability affecting the composition and taxonomic richness, density and biomass of the abyssal benthos.
DE: 4815 Ecosystems, structure, dynamics, and modeling (0439)
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly