Journal of Oceanography and Marine Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2572-3103
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2572-3103
+44 1300 500008
Larsen PS
DTU Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Mechanics,
Building 403, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
Denmark
Research Article
Biomixing in Stagnant Water Above Population of Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis)
Author(s): Larsen PS, Andrup P, Tang B and Riisgård HULarsen PS, Andrup P, Tang B and Riisgård HU
Dense beds of filter-feeding mussels can exert a considerable grazing impact on phytoplankton in many marine areas depending on downmixing promoted by current, wave- and wind action. But downmixing may also be promoted by biomixing caused by the action of the strong exhalent jets of water from the mussels. Here we study the strength of biomixing exerted by large actively filtering blue mussels Mytilus edulis in stagnant water. Vertical concentration profiles of added algal cells (Rhodomonas salina) were measured (as chl a) over a 70 cm high and stagnant water column in an aquarium above a population of 48 ind.m-2 of mussels of shell length 69.5 ± 2.3 mm. Due to the intense agitation (biomixing) generated by exhalant jets of the actively feeding mussels the profiles remained nearly uniform over the full water column while decreasing exponentially with time, reaching a level of abo.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2572-3103.1000147