Biotic enrichment of intertidal sediments by experimental aggregates of the deposit-feeding bivalve Macoma balthica

The deep-burrowing species Trypaea australiensis and Mysella vitrea inhabit intertidal sediments of the Richmond River, northern New South Wales. Laboratory experiments indicated that a facultative commensal association may exist between the two organisms, because although the bivalves survived independently, their vertical distribution in sediment was significantly different in the presence of T. australiensis. Field observations indicated that redox potential and bivalve abundance in sediment are weakly correlated. However, the absence of strongly reducing conditions in the first metre of the sediment, due to T. australiensis burrow irrigation, may increase potential niche size for M. vitrea. Tank observations revealed no aggregation of M vitrea around the burrows. Feeding observations suggested that M. vitrea can feed either by collecting particles off the sediment surface or by interstitial pedal feeding; the latter feeding mode would allow use of shrimp burrows for feeding. T. australiensis alters organic carbon distribution in the sediment profile, concentrations being significantly higher in the lowermost regions where T. australiensis was present than in controls. Thus, enrichment resulting from the activities of T. australiensis may provide some reward for the energetic cost to M. vitrea of burrowing deeply.

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THE BIODEPOSITION CYCLE OF A SURFACE DEPOSIT-FEEDING BIVALVE, MACOMA BALTHICA (L.)

Estuarine Perspectives ◽

10.1016/b978-0-12-404060-1.50039-3 ◽

1980 ◽

pp. 389-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Luther F. Black

Keyword(s):

Macoma Balthica ◽

Surface Deposit ◽

Deposit Feeding

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RESPONSES OF THE CLAM MACOMA BALTHICA TO PRUDHOE BAY CRUDE OIL

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-1977-1-493 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 1977 (1) ◽

pp. 493-494 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. G. Shaw ◽

A. J. Paul ◽

E. R. Smith

Keyword(s):

Crude Oil ◽

Oil Pollution ◽

Macoma Balthica ◽

Sediment Surface ◽

Intertidal Sediments ◽

Tissue Weight ◽

Indirect Indicator ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Prudhoe Bay

ABSTRACT The responses of the bivalve mollusk Macoma balthica to crude oil have been studied under laboratory conditions designed to simulate the stranding of oil on intertidal sediments in which this animal resides. The relationship of dry tissue weight to shell length, an indirect indicator of general health and fitness, was not significantly altered by exposure to oil at a level which did result in significant mortalities. This suggests that death is caused by a metabolically specific mode of poisoning rather than by a general weakening of the animal. In a second experiment, animals were subjected to two temporarily separated oiling events. Neither in mortalities nor in gas chromatographic analysis of tissues for hydrocarbons were cumulative effects observed. It was also found that a previously-reported tendency of M. balthica to burrow to the sediment surface in the presence of oil increases with decreasing depth of available sediment. We suggest that this behavior may be used as a convenient indicator of oil pollution.

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Heavy Metals in the Burrowing Bivalve Scrobicularia Plana from the Tamar Estuary in Relation to Environmental Levels

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315400024437 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 89-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

G. W. Bryan ◽

H. Uysal

Keyword(s):

Macoma Balthica ◽

Bivalve Mollusc ◽

Indicator Organism ◽

Intertidal Sediments ◽

Overlying Water ◽

Tamar Estuary ◽

Widespread Distribution ◽

South West ◽

Scrobicularia Plana ◽

South West England

The bivalve mollusc Scrobicularia plana (da Costa) is very common in the estuaries of South-West England and lives in permanent burrows in intertidal sediments ranging from soft mud to fairly hard sand and sometimes gravel. Although it obtains some of its food by filtering the overlying water, Scrobicularia is mainly a deposit feeder (Hughes, 1969). In addition to its widespread distribution, Scrobicularia has several features which make it attractive as a possible indicator organism for metallic contamination. It is more tolerant of low salinities than most common estuarine bivalves, usually penetrating farther upstream than Macoma balthica, Mytilus edulis and Cerastoderma edule (Percival, 1929; Spooner & Moore, 1940; Bryan & Hummerstone, 1977). Also, it lives for over ten years, usually attaining a length of 4–5 cm, and its rate of growth can be estimated from rings on the shell (Green, 1957; Hughes, 1970).

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