The effect of sedimentation on the primary production of benthic microflora

During February 1978, 20 cm of rain over a seven day period caused an enormous deposition of fine-grained sediments in the eastern arm of Mugu Lagoon, California. For February–July 1978, this deposition decreased the net primary production of the benthic community by an estimated 6.5 fold. The persistence of the fine-grained sediment over much of the lagoon will continue to render these areas lower in exportable organic carbon.