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An investigation of periodic hypoxia at Ardbear Salt Lake

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2008

Louise M. Henry ,
Robert Kennedy  and
Brendan F. Keegan
Louise M. Henry*
Affiliation:
Vet Aqua International, Unit7B, Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Galway, Ireland
Robert Kennedy
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, Martin Ryan Marine Science Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland
Brendan F. Keegan
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, Martin Ryan Marine Science Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Louise M. Henry, Vet Aqua International, Unit7B, Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Galway, Ireland email: louisehenry2@yahoo.com
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Abstract

The factors potentially leading to the development of periodic hypoxia were investigated based on field studies performed over a series of two years between November, 1997 and November, 1999. This was attempted by investigating both hard and soft seafloor. Descriptive and predictive models were developed that incorporated physical, chemical and biological data derived from the present study and previous work and were used to anticipate future possible crashes of the faunal communities due to hypoxia/anoxia. It was concluded that periodic hypoxia at Ardbear is a natural event caused by several factors to varying degrees. The results of the present study indicate that the major controlling factors for oxygen depletion are the shallow depth of the system, coupled with the development of thermal stratification during periods of calm ambient meteorological conditions of the warmer summer months. In addition, a soft, muddy bottom and highly productive plankton blooms exacerbate conditions in a system already predisposed to hypoxia.

Keywords

investigationperiodic hypoxiaArdbear Salt LakeIreland
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 88 , Issue 7 , November 2008 , pp. 1297 - 1307
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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