Changes in the deep-water benthos of eastern Lake Erie between 1979 and 1993
- Fisheries and Oceans, Burlington, Ontario (Canada)
In order to examine changes of the benthic community and benthic biomass as a result of mussel colonization, a survey of the deep-water benthic fauna in eastern Lake Erie was repeated in 1993 using the same sites and methods as in a 1979 survey. During 1979, the community beyond 30 m was dominated by oligochaete worms and the burrowing amphipod Diporeia, which represented 50 and 40% of the total benthic biomass respectively. By 1993, quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) formed over 90% of the benthic biomass. Mussels were present at all 13 sites. Densities of individuals >2 mm in length averaged 3,241 mussels m{sup -2}. Of these mussels, 97% were quagga mussels. Total density of all sizes retained on a 180 {mu}m sieve averaged 34,800 mussels m{sup -2} but total biomass decreased from 1.58 to 0.98 g m{sup -2}. The density of the amphipod Diporeia was reduced from 1,844 in 1979 to 218 m{sup -2} in 1993. While present at all sites during 1979, Diporeia remained common only at two sites and were absent at 8 of the 13 sites in 1993. The native fingernail clams, Pisidium spp., were reduced from 327 to 82 m{sup -2}. No significant reduction occurred in the worm and chironomid populations, however the dry biomass of the chironomids was reduced from 0.07 to 0.0008 g m{sup -2}. These reductions may be due to competition with the mussels for freshly settling algae. The meiofauna, which included small nematodes, ostracods, and harpacticoids retained on a 180 {mu}m sieve, all increased in density. Perhaps they benefited from an increase in the detritus deposited as pseudofeces around the mussels.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 146948
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR-105116; CONF-9502124-; TRN: 95:007969-0007
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 5. international Zebra mussel and other aquatic nuisance organisms conference, Toronto (Canada), 14-21 Feb 1995; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the fifth international zebra mussel and other aquatic nuisance organisms conference 1995; Ackerman, J.D. [Univ. of Northern British Columbia, Prince George (Canada)]; PB: 494 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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