Massive input of terrigenous sediment into Potter Cove during austral summer and the effects on the bivalve Laternula elliptica: a laboratory experiment

GUILLERMO MERCURI; MARCOS TATIÁN; FERNANDO MOMO; VERÓNICA FUENTES; RICARDO SAHADE

POLARFORSCHUNG

Año: 2008 p. 111 - 117

0032-2490

Although extensive studies on the coastal ecosystem of Potter Cove have been performed, our knowledge concerning pelagic-benthic coupling is still scarce. Benthic filter feeders play an important role in linking the pelagial with the benthic systems by filtering and biodeposition (Ahn, 1993), enhancing particulate organic carbon and downward fluxes of inorganic material that increase the food supply to the associated fauna. At Potter Cove filter feeders contribute to the regulation of the energy budget and particle flux to the benthic realm. However, at this location seawaters are phytoplankton-impoverished and during the austral summer large quantities of inorganic seston are deposited on the seafloor. This is due to the run-off through coastal meltwater streams, with a high input of terrigenous sediments. How does this affect the feeding ecology of filter feeders and their possible nourishing role? In order to answer this question, we performed an in vitro experiment with the bivalve Laternula elliptica (King & Broderip, 1831), which dominates the Antarctic infauna. We evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica elliptica (King & Broderip, 1831), which dominates the Antarctic infauna. We evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica elliptica (King & Broderip, 1831), which dominates the Antarctic infauna. We evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica elliptica (King & Broderip, 1831), which dominates the Antarctic infauna. We evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica in vitro experiment with the bivalve Laternula elliptica (King & Broderip, 1831), which dominates the Antarctic infauna. We evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. elliptica (King & Broderip, 1831), which dominates the Antarctic infauna. We evaluated the transformation of the organic matter from three artificial diets to the sediment, analysing the chemical composition of the biodeposits. In our study, the first diet supply may simulate a normal feeding situation, the second one a highly stressful condition due to the addition of inorganic material and the last diet supply may simulate a possible benthic diatom resuspension event, during a stressful period. Preliminary results are presented. In a subsequent study, the analyses will be extrapolated to the population of L. ellipticaL. elliptica inhabiting Potter Cove.