Rates of nutrient exchange and oxygen consumption by benthic communities were measured in situ at two deep‐sea stations in the NW Atlantic (2,200–2,750 in) by a grab respirometer operated from the submersible Alvin. Ammonia was regenerated but nitrate and phosphate were taken up by the sediments. Nutrient exchange rates and total oxygen uptake by the sediments were two to four orders of magnitude lower than rates at a shallow station in the NE Pacific. Observed nutrient exchange rates were significantly different from predicted rates. Compartmentalization of benthic community metabolism is possible with the grab respirometer which collects the sediment and biota on which the measurements are made.
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Smith et al. (1978) studied this question.