Estuarine community dynamics in relation to power plant operations: benthic process program. Final report

The report presents results of in-situ studies of major carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment rate processes such as sedimentation, resuspension, benthic fluxes of nutrients and organic matter and water column metabolism. Sediment/water budgets of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon in 3 distinctive areas of the estuary including an area in the immediate vicinity of a power plant, are presented. The report includes an evaluation of power plant induced perturbations. At primary locations, estimates were made of water column metabolism, benthic respiration, benthic nutrient fluxes, water quality characteristics of the sediments and overlying waters, light extinction and sedimentation and resuspension rates of particulate materials.