Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-27gpq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T00:55:20.030Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Comparison of near seabed currents at two locations in the Porcupine Sea Bight—implications for benthic fauna

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2003

Martin White
Affiliation:
Department of Oceanography, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland, E-mail: martin.white@nuigalway.ie

Abstract

Recent measurements of benthic currents, within the depth range where the highest abundance of the hexactinellid sponge Pheronema carpenteri are found, have been made and compared to historical data for the northern Porcupine Sea Bight region where no Pheronema have been recorded. Bottom currents at a location where Pheronema have not been recorded are much higher than a location where the sponges have previously been sampled. The measurements provide some evidence to support the hypothesis that the sponges favour a location adjacent to regions where enhanced bottom tidal currents are found, but currents experienced by the sponges themselves are much reduced.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2003 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)