Mucus-exopolymer utilization by two bivalves with different feeding strategies

Conference · Tue Jan 09 04:00:00 EST 1990 · EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union; (United States)

OSTI ID:6616123

Decho, A W; Luoma, S N ^[1]

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1. USGS, Menlo Park, CA (United States)

The utilization and absorption efficiencies of bacterial exopolymer secretaions were examined using two bivalves from San Francisco Bay, which exhibit different feeding strategies. Macoma balthica is primarily a deposit-feeder, exhibiting relatively slow gut-passage time (4-12 hrs). Theasian clam Potamocorbula amurensis is a suspension-feeder and exhibits a relatively fast gut-passage time (15-0- min). [sup 14]C-exopolymer was readily utilized both animals and with similar absorption efficiencies (40-70%). It appears that this bacterial exopolymer represents an easily utilized food resource for both animals. The adsorption of heavy metals to the exopolymer and their subsequent uptake by animals are currently under investigation. Their role as an agent in transferring heavy metals to deposit- and suspension-feeding animals will be discussed.

• OSTI ID: 6616123
• Report Number(s): CONF-9002174--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union; (United States) Journal Volume: 71:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
ADSORPTION
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BACTERIA
ELEMENTS
FEEDING
FOOD
INVERTEBRATES
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
MOLLUSCS
PACIFIC OCEAN
POLLUTION
SAN FRANCISCO BAY
SEAS
SECRETION
SORPTION
SURFACE WATERS
UPTAKE
WATER POLLUTION