| Temporal variations and spatial distribution of sedimentary organic matter composition were investigated over a one year period in an intertidal flat of the NW Spain. Sediment samples were collected from 0 to 25 cm depth, every three months, from January 1997 to January 1998 at three tidal levels (high, medium and low). Changes in the elemental and biochemical composition were assessed to gather information on temporal and spatial fluctuations in quantity and quality of sedimentary organic matter potentially available to benthic deposit-feeder nutrition. Organic matter content was significantly higher at the medium tidal level, while minimum values were found at the high tidal level. The different biochemical classes of organic compounds exhibited... |
