Determination of in situ biomass and energetics in seagrass beds on the west coast of Florida. Topical report, May 1982-January 1984

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:7091139

Dawes, C J

The Gulf Coastal region of Florida supports extensive grass beds that almost continuously cover the shallow (1-5m) depths from Apalachicola Bay to Anclote Bay and in Tampa Bay. Attached and drift benthic seaweeds occur as well and may have higher energetic yields than the seagrasses. The shallow and continuous beds offer a possible source for plant biomass use in methane production, if sufficient material is available throughout the year and the energetics are high enough. Triweekly samplings at three sites around Tampa Bay and bimonthly samplings at four sites along the west coast of Florida showed highest biomass occurring during the spring through fall months. The available biomass of combined attached and drift seagrasses and seaweeds was lower than that predicted when compared with terrestrial crops. Naturally occurring seagrass and seaweed beds do not have sufficient biomass to justify harvesting for biogass production, although energetics levels are high.

• Research Organization: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7091139
• Report Number(s): PB-93-146603/XAB; CNN: GRI-5080-323-0423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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09 BIOMASS FUELS
090900* -- Biomass Fuels-- Processing-- (1990-)
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CROPS
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