The effect of lipophilic organic contaminants on reproductive physiology and disease processes in marine bivalve molluscs

Article Abstract:

The effect of lipophilic organic contaminants on reproductive physiology and disease processes has been studied in marine bivalve molluscs. These molluscs, among them the blue mussel and the soft shell clam, have been seen as sentinel organisms for contaminant bioavailability and biological consequences of contaminant exposure. Case studies in New Bedford and Boston Harbors of Massachusetts are used to study the relationship between contaminant uptake and effects on the reproductive cycle and bioenergetics. Disruption in bioenergetics is seen in the molluscs exposed to chemical contaminants. Loss of reproductive output and greater disease susceptibility can result. Differences in degree of reproductive impairment may come from energetic strategies of individual species.

Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, Fishes, Harbors, Organic compounds, Mollusks, Animal reproduction, Coastal ecology, New Bedford, Massachusetts

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A new explanation of particle capture in suspension-feeding bivalve molluscs

Article Abstract:

In vivo observations suggest that hydrosol filtration theories best account for the process of particle capture in suspension-feeding bivalve molluscs. The ctenidial filament captures particles directly, and they are then transported along the filament's frontal surface by mucociliary processes. Beating of the laterofrontal cilia or cirri aid in particle capture by increasing encounter efficiency. The incurrent siphon/margin, ctenidia and mantle make up a highly integrated suspension-feeding complex for particle capture.

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Influence of an infaunal bivalve on the erosion of an intertidal cohesive sediment: a flume and modeling study

Article Abstract:

The bivalve mollusc Macoma balthica, a small bioturbating clam which is found in abundance in Palearctic intertidal sediments, affects the rate of sediment erosion, according to results of a flume and modeling study. Macoma affects the amount of sediment available for resuspension. Resuspension increases asymptotically with the population density of the fauna.

Sediment transport, Flumes

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