Phosphorus recycling by zebra mussels in relation to density and food resource availability |
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Authors: | James William F. Barko John W. Eakin Harry L. |
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Affiliation: | (1) Eau Galle Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Spring Valley, WI, 54767, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | Using flow-through microcosms, we examined phosphorus (P) recycling by zebra mussels under conditions of nearly constant food resource supply and varying zebra mussel population densities (600–5200 ind./m2). At all density levels, zebra mussels filtered substantial algae, measured as chlorophyll biomass. Because chlorophyll biomass inputs were low throughout the study, zebra mussel biomass-specific rates of chlorophyll filtration declined with increasing density, suggesting food resource limitation at the higher densities. We observed net total P export and high zebra mussel biomass-specific rates of P recycling over time in microcosms at high zebra mussel densities. In systems with a low zebra mussel density, net total P export did not occur over time. Our results suggest the occurrence of P remineralization by zebra mussels and net loss associated with emaciation during periods of temporary starvation. These findings have implications for P dynamics since zebra mussels can be subjected to periods of starvation over seasonal and annual time scales. |
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Keywords: | Dreissena polymorpha nutrient recycling phosphorus zebra mussels |
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