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Studies of Phosphorus Movement Using Salt Marsh Microecosystems¹

ABSTRACT

Microecosystems of a salt marsh community were designed, constructed, and used to follow phosphorus flux through the physical and biological components of that community. The biological components in these microecosystems were smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel), diatoms, mud fiddler crabs (Uca pugnax Smith), periwinkle snails (Littorina irrorata Say), and ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa Dillwyn; formerly Modiolus demissus Dillwyn). The physical components were the marsh soil and the seawater. Phosphorus (³³²P) placed 17.5 cm below the soil surface was abundantly present in the smooth cordgrass leaves and on the soil surface 4 days later. No ³²P was secreted by the leaves of smooth cordgrass during the experiment. The rapid transfer of phosphorus to the soil surface was found to be the result of the burrowing activity of the fiddler crabs.

Key Words: Littorina irrorata • periwinkle snail • Geukensia demissa • ribbed mussel • Uca Pugnax • mud fiddler crab • Spartina alterniflora • smooth cordgrass • microecosystem • phosphorus flux

¹ Research conducted at Auburn Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn.

² Extension weed Scientist, Coop. Ext. Serv., and Professor, Botany and Microbiology, respectively, Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL 36830.

Received for publication September 29, 1978.