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MEPS 518:95-105 (2015)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11041

Rhizosphere O2 dynamics in young Zostera marina and Ruppia maritima

Zeljko Jovanovic1, Mia Ø. Pedersen1, Morten Larsen1,2,3, Erik Kristensen1, Ronnie N. Glud1,2,3,4,*

1Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
2Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban PA37 1QA, UK
3Greenland Climate Research Center (CO Greenland Institute of National Resources), Kivioq 2, Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
4Artic Climate Research Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000C, Denmark
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: Zostera marina and Ruppia maritima often share the same habitat, but R. maritima appears more resistant to environmental stress. We investigated the impact of light intensity and water column O2 concentrations on radial oxygen loss (ROL), in young specimens of Z. marina and R. maritima. Planar optode imaging revealed that ROL of Z. marina was localized to the root tip, while R. maritima showed ROL along extensive root sections. The total root biomass of the 2 species was similar, but, while R. maritima had only 1 root, of which 33% of its length showed ROL, Z. marina had 2 to 5 individual roots, where only 2 to 3 exhibited O2 leakage, but then only at root tips. ROL resulted in an oxic volume of 4.26 ± 0.51 mm3 plant-1 for Z. marina and 5.39 ± 0.47 mm3 plant-1 for R. maritima (n = 3). ROL per plant at light saturation was 2.32 ± 0.30 and 2.89 ± 0.38 nmol h-1 for Z. marina and R. maritima, respectively. These values declined by 71 and 60% in darkness. However, both species were able to maintain ROL as long as ambient O2 levels remained >50% air saturation. The calculated ROL integrated over a 24 h cycle was 48.8 ± 10.6 nmol O2 plant-1 d-1 (n = 3) for R. maritima and 30% less for Z. marina. The ability of R. maritima to maintain higher ROL than Z. marina could be an important feature defining its potential for colonizing and maintaining growth in eutrophic sediments.


KEY WORDS: Radial oxygen loss · Seagrass · Benthic oxygen dynamics · Rhizosphere · Planar optodes


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Cite this article as: Jovanovic Z, Pedersen MØ, Larsen M, Kristensen E, Glud RN (2015) Rhizosphere O2 dynamics in young Zostera marina and Ruppia maritima. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 518:95-105. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11041

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