Seasonal variation of a deposit-feeder assemblage and sedimentary organic matter in a brackish basin mudflat (Western Mediterranean, Italy)

From summer 1996 through to autumn 1997 the seasonal changes of a macrofaunal assemblage, the nutritional value of organic matter (as content of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates) and the content of chlorophyll a in a Mediterranean mudflat were analysed. Sediment for macrofauna and biochemical analyses (chlorophyll a, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates) was collected using a three-way nested sampling design. Results indicated differences in the composition of organic matter especially in summer 1997 and at all the other seasonal periods of sampling. In summer 1997 a sharp increase of protein concentration was measured. Chlorophyll a showed large fluctuations within seasons, especially during autumn and winter.