Net system production in coastal waters as a function of eutrophication,seasonality and benthic macrofaunal abundance

Net system production ranged from 13% to 29% of apparent system production in enclosures modelling coastal marine waters. Net production was measured by direct and indirect methods along with factors which impact its magnitude and fate. The direct measures of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen content of accumulating flocculent material in enclosures without sediment agreed with indirect measures by net system metabolism and by net sediment storage from nutrient mass balances. Increased nutrient supply, increased the absolute, but not relative, net system production ultimately stored in the sediment. Net production as dry weight of floc did not agree with that calculated from oxygen metabolism owing to a high silicon content of the organic matter. The presence of a benthic macrofauna decreased net system production storage by about 28–54%.