Although seagrass canopies are known to enhance particle sedimentation, there is still limited knowledge about how seagrasses modify the vertical distribution of sediment particles; especially when particles come from allochthonous sources. This study determined the volume of particles trapped by the seagrass leaves, the amount that remains in suspension both within and above the canopy, and the amount deposited onto the seabed. A set of laboratory experiments were conducted in which hydrodynamic conditions and canopy densities were varied to mimic real field conditions. This study demonstrated and quantified previously recorded observations concerning the fate of sediment in seagrass meadows. Seagrass meadows decreased the amount of suspended sediment by capturing the sediment on the blades of the seagrass and by enhancing particle sedimentation on the seabed. However, particles trapped by the blades of seagrass in the whole canopy increased with canopy density and reduced the number of particles in suspension within the canopy. The ecological implications were significant, since a seabed covered by vegetation, when compared to a bare seabed, produced a reduction in the suspended sediment particles within the canopy, improving water clarity. Furthermore, canopies (compared to bare substrates) enhanced seabed sedimentation and the denser the canopy was, the greater the amount of sediment deposited on the seabed.

尽管已知海草冠层可以增强颗粒沉积，但关于海草如何改变沉积颗粒的垂直分布的知识仍然有限。尤其是当粒子来自异地来源时。这项研究确定了被海草叶子捕获的颗粒的体积、在树冠内部和上方保持悬浮的数量以及沉积在海床上的数量。进行了一组实验室实验，其中改变了水动力条件和冠层密度以模拟真实的田间条件。这项研究证明并量化了先前记录的关于海草草地沉积物归宿的观察结果。海草草甸通过捕获海草叶片上的沉积物和增强海床上的颗粒沉积，减少了悬浮沉积物的数量。然而，整个树冠中海草叶片捕获的颗粒随着树冠密度的增加而增加，并减少了树冠内悬浮颗粒的数量。生态影响是显着的，因为与裸露的海床相比，被植被覆盖的海床减少了树冠内悬浮的沉积物颗粒，提高了水的透明度。此外，冠层（与裸露的基底相比）增强了海床沉积，冠层越密，沉积在海床上的沉积物就越多。整个树冠中海草叶片捕获的颗粒随着树冠密度的增加而增加，并减少了树冠内悬浮的颗粒数量。生态影响是显着的，因为与裸露的海床相比，被植被覆盖的海床减少了树冠内悬浮的沉积物颗粒，提高了水的透明度。此外，冠层（与裸露的基底相比）增强了海床沉积，冠层越密，沉积在海床上的沉积物就越多。整个树冠中海草叶片捕获的颗粒随着树冠密度的增加而增加，并减少了树冠内悬浮的颗粒数量。生态影响是显着的，因为与裸露的海床相比，被植被覆盖的海床减少了树冠内悬浮的沉积物颗粒，提高了水的透明度。此外，冠层（与裸露的基底相比）增强了海床沉积，冠层越密，沉积在海床上的沉积物就越多。