The impact of freshwater mussels (order Unionoida) on river bed characteristics and sediment flux: A flume-based study.

Other


Leng, Andrea, Davies-Vollum, S. and Ramsey, Andrew 2018. The impact of freshwater mussels (order Unionoida) on river bed characteristics and sediment flux: A flume-based study.
AuthorsLeng, Andrea, Davies-Vollum, S. and Ramsey, Andrew
Abstract

Unionoid mussels are considered keystone species due to their ability to modify and link pelagic, benthic and hyporheic environments in freshwater systems, [1,2,3] yet empirical data to determine their influence on river bed dynamics and sediment flux is lacking. A recirculating flume-based study using fifty individuals of the unionoid species Anodonta anatina investigated the impact of this species on bedform development and particle flux of a polymodal substrate representative of the grain size distribution of the mussel's river habitat. River seston was added to the flume at weekly intervals, and water and substrate conditions were monitored for the eight-week duration of the study. The control experiment had mussels absent from the flume. It was found that the presence of A. anatina increased the organic content of the substrate through deposition of pseudofaeces, and led to significant reductions in near-bed velocity, boundary shear-stress and the amount of suspended and dissolved solids in the water column. However, despite these impacts a greater quantity of sediment and a larger range of grainsizes entered the flume's sediment trap compared to the control experiment when mussels were absent. The impact of mussel bioturbation appears to outweigh any sediment stabilisation effects arising from the increased organic content of the substrate and the reduced near bed velocities. Additionally, sediment grainsize and longitudinal wetted profile measurements indicate that the mussels increased bed roughness and heterogeneity of the substrate. Given that freshwater mussels can exist at very high densities within rivers, [3] increased mixing and mobilisation of bedload, improved habitat heterogeneity and the transferral of material from the water to the substrate by mussels implies they constitute a critical element in the sediment and nutrient dynamics of fluvial systems. References: 1. Vaughn, C.C., Nichols, S.J. & Spooner, D.E., 2008. Community and foodweb ecology of freshwater mussels. Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 27(2), pp.409-423. 2. Gutierrez, J.L. et al., 2003. Mollusks as ecosystem engineers: the role of shell production in aquatic habitats. Oikos, 101(1), pp.79-90. 3. Aldridge, D.C. et al, 2007. Freshwater mussel abundance predicts biodiversity in UK lowland rivers. Aquatic Conservation-Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 17(January), pp.554-564.

Unionoid mussels are considered keystone species due to their ability to modify and link pelagic, benthic and hyporheic environments in freshwater systems, [1,2,3] yet empirical data to determine their influence on river bed dynamics and sediment flux is lacking.

A recirculating flume-based study using fifty individuals of the unionoid species Anodonta anatina investigated the impact of this species on bedform development and particle flux of a polymodal substrate representative of the grain size distribution of the mussel's river habitat. River seston was added to the flume at weekly intervals, and water and substrate conditions were monitored for the eight-week duration of the study. The control experiment had mussels absent from the flume. It was found that the presence of A. anatina increased the organic content of the substrate through deposition of pseudofaeces, and led to significant reductions in near-bed velocity, boundary shear-stress and the amount of suspended and dissolved solids in the water column. However, despite these impacts a greater quantity of sediment and a larger range of grainsizes entered the flume's sediment trap compared to the control experiment when mussels were absent. The impact of mussel bioturbation appears to outweigh any sediment stabilisation effects arising from the increased organic content of the substrate and the reduced near bed velocities. Additionally, sediment grainsize and longitudinal wetted profile measurements indicate that the mussels increased bed roughness and heterogeneity of the substrate. Given that freshwater mussels can exist at very high densities within rivers, [3] increased mixing and mobilisation of bedload, improved habitat heterogeneity and the transferral of material from the water to the substrate by mussels implies they constitute a critical element in the sediment and nutrient dynamics of fluvial systems.

References:

1. Vaughn, C.C., Nichols, S.J. & Spooner, D.E., 2008. Community and foodweb ecology of freshwater mussels. Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 27(2), pp.409-423.

2. Gutierrez, J.L. et al., 2003. Mollusks as ecosystem engineers: the role of shell production in aquatic habitats. Oikos, 101(1), pp.79-90.

3. Aldridge, D.C. et al, 2007. Freshwater mussel abundance predicts biodiversity in UK lowland rivers. Aquatic Conservation-Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 17(January), pp.554-564.

KeywordsMussels; Freshwater
Year2018
Web address (URL)http://hdl.handle.net/10545/623296
hdl:10545/623296
File
File Access Level
Open
File
File Access Level
Open
Publication dates05 May 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited14 Jan 2019, 16:24
ContributorsUniversity of Derby
Permalink -

https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/9538w/the-impact-of-freshwater-mussels-order-unionoida-on-river-bed-characteristics-and-sediment-flux-a-flume-based-study

Download files


File
license.txt
File access level: Open

ECCB poster.pdf
File access level: Open

  • 49
    total views
  • 15
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Changes in nitrogen functional genes and microbial populations in soil profiles of a peatland under different burning regimes
Allingham, S., Drake, S., Ramsey, A., Field, C.D., Nwaishi, F.C. and Elliott, D. 2024. Changes in nitrogen functional genes and microbial populations in soil profiles of a peatland under different burning regimes. Applied Soil Ecology. 200, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105426
Resilient Lagoons? Climate change, sustainability and adaptation
Davies-Vollum, S., Puttick, S., Doherty, F., Agyekumhene, A., Aneyo, I., Addo, K. A., Boateng, I., Danby, A., Danso-Wiredu, E., Degbe, G., Hemstock, S., Mitchell, S., Raha, D. and Sohou, Z. 2022. Resilient Lagoons? Climate change, sustainability and adaptation . Geography. 107 (3), pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/00167487.2022.2114166
Definitions of biodiversity from urban gardeners
Norton, Briony, A., Shang, Bowen, Sheffield, David and Ramsey, Andrew 2021. Definitions of biodiversity from urban gardeners. Journal of Urban Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jue/juab005
Oxygen consumption during digestion in Anodonta anatina and Unio pictorum in response to algal concentration
Zapitis, Charitos, Huck, Maren and Ramsey, Andrew 2021. Oxygen consumption during digestion in Anodonta anatina and Unio pictorum in response to algal concentration. Hydrobiologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-021-04559-0
Climate change impact and adaptation: Lagoonal fishing communities in west Africa
Davies-Vollum, S., Raha, D. and Koomson, Daniel 2021. Climate change impact and adaptation: Lagoonal fishing communities in west Africa. in: Springer.
Substrate parameters affecting propagation of juvenile freshwater pearl mussels margaritifera margaritifera (bivalvia: margaritiferidae)
Lavictoire, Louise, Notman, Gill, Pentecost, Allan, Moorkens, Evelyn, Ramsey, Andrew and Sweeting, Roger A. 2020. Substrate parameters affecting propagation of juvenile freshwater pearl mussels margaritifera margaritifera (bivalvia: margaritiferidae). Journal of Conchology.
Characterising the vulnerability of fishing households to climate and environmental change: Insights from Ghana
Koomson, Daniel, Davies-Vollum, S. and Raha, D. 2020. Characterising the vulnerability of fishing households to climate and environmental change: Insights from Ghana. Marine Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104142
Geohazard assessment of landslides in south Brazil: Case study
Hamza, Omar, De Vargas, Tiago, Boff, Fernando Eduardo, Hussain, Yawar and Davies-Vollum, S. 2019. Geohazard assessment of landslides in south Brazil: Case study. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-019-01054-1
Ontogeny of juvenile freshwater pearl mussels, Margaritifera margaritifera (Bivalvia: Margaritiferidae).
Lavictoire, Louise, Ramsey, Andrew, Moorkens, Evelyn, Souch, Graham and Barnhart, M. Christopher 2018. Ontogeny of juvenile freshwater pearl mussels, Margaritifera margaritifera (Bivalvia: Margaritiferidae). PLos ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193637
Repairing a shield tunnel damaged by secondary grouting.
Jin-long, Liu, Hamza, Omar, Davies-Vollum, S. and Jie-qun, Liu 2018. Repairing a shield tunnel damaged by secondary grouting. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2018.07.016
Impacts of lagoon opening and implications for coastal management: case study from Muni-Pomadze lagoon, Ghana
Davies-Vollum, S., Zhang, Zihao and Agyekumhene, Andrews 2018. Impacts of lagoon opening and implications for coastal management: case study from Muni-Pomadze lagoon, Ghana. Jounral of Coastal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-018-0658-1
An expression of multiple values: The relationship between community, landscape and natural resource
Smith, Darrell, Convery, Ian, Ramsey, Andrew and Kouloumpis, Viktor 2016. An expression of multiple values: The relationship between community, landscape and natural resource. Rural Landscapes: Society, Environment, History. https://doi.org/10.16993/rl.31
Conserving natural heritage: shifting perceptions of culture and nature.
Smith, Darrell, Convery, Ian, Ramsey, Andrew and Kouloumpis, Viktor 2016. Conserving natural heritage: shifting perceptions of culture and nature. in: Boydell Press.
Geology of Caphouse Colliery, Wakefield, Yorkshire, UK
Davies-Vollum, S., Guion, Paul. D., Knight, John. A. and Smith, Andrew 2016. Geology of Caphouse Colliery, Wakefield, Yorkshire, UK. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society. https://doi.org/10.1144/pygs2015-372
Effects of substrate size and cleaning regime on growth and survival of captive-bred juvenile freshwater pearl mussels, Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758)
Lavictoire, Louise, Sinclair, William, Sweeting, Roger A., Moorkens, Evelyn and Ramsey, Andrew 2015. Effects of substrate size and cleaning regime on growth and survival of captive-bred juvenile freshwater pearl mussels, Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758). Hydrobiologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2445-4
Defining Landscape Resistance Values in Least-Cost Connectivity Models for the Invasive Grey Squirrel: A Comparison of Approaches Using Expert-Opinion and Habitat Suitability Modelling
Stevenson, Claire D., Watts, Kevin, Bellamy, Chloe, Nevin, Owen T. and Ramsey, Andrew 2014. Defining Landscape Resistance Values in Least-Cost Connectivity Models for the Invasive Grey Squirrel: A Comparison of Approaches Using Expert-Opinion and Habitat Suitability Modelling. PLos ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112119
Scent-marking investment and motor patterns are affected by the age and sex of wild brown bears
Clapham, Melanie, Nevin, Owen T., Rosell, Frank and Ramsey, Andrew 2014. Scent-marking investment and motor patterns are affected by the age and sex of wild brown bears. Animal Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.05.017
Climate, dust, and fire across the Eocene-Oligocene transition, Patagonia
Selkin, Peter. A., Stromberg, Caroline. A. E., Dunn, Regan., Kohn, Matthew. J., Carlini, Alfredo. A., Davies-Vollum, S. and Madden, Richard. H. 2015. Climate, dust, and fire across the Eocene-Oligocene transition, Patagonia. Geology. https://doi.org/10.1130/G36664.1
Teaching sedimentology: opportunities for interdisciplinary, variety, innovation and employability.
Davies-Vollum, S., Satterfield, Dorothy, Suthren, Roger and Whiteley, Martin 2015. Teaching sedimentology: opportunities for interdisciplinary, variety, innovation and employability. British Sedimentological Research Group.
Shoreline change and sea level rise at the Muni-Pomadze coastal wetland (Ramsar site), Ghana
Davies-Vollum, S. and West, Matthew 2015. Shoreline change and sea level rise at the Muni-Pomadze coastal wetland (Ramsar site), Ghana. Journal of Coastal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-015-0403-y
The impacts of commercial woodland management on butterfly biodiversity.
Taylor, Donna L., Ramsey, Andrew, Convery, Ian, Lawrence, Anna and Weatheral, Andrew 2013. The impacts of commercial woodland management on butterfly biodiversity. Conservation Evidence.
Changing place: palm oil and sense of place in Borneo
Lindsay, Ellie, Convery, Ian, Ramsey, Andrew and Simmons, Eunice 2012. Changing place: palm oil and sense of place in Borneo. Human Geographies – Journal of Studies and Research in Human Geography. https://doi.org/10.5719/hgeo.2012.62.45
The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears
Clapham, Melanie, Nevin, Owen T., Ramsey, Andrew and Rosell, Frank 2013. The function of strategic tree selectivity in the chemical signalling of brown bears. Animal Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.03.026
A hypothetico-deductive approach to assessing the social function of chemical signalling in a non-territorial solitary carnivore
Clapham, Melanie, Nevin, Owen T., Ramsey, Andrew, Rosell, Frank and Renou, Michel 2012. A hypothetico-deductive approach to assessing the social function of chemical signalling in a non-territorial solitary carnivore. PLos ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0035404
Using GPS telemetry to validate least-cost modeling of gray squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis) movement within a fragmented landscape
Stevenson, Claire D., Ferryman, Mark, Nevin, Owen T., Ramsey, Andrew, Bailey, Sallie and Watts, Kevin 2013. Using GPS telemetry to validate least-cost modeling of gray squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis) movement within a fragmented landscape. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.638
Assessing grey squirrel dispersal patterns within the landscape using sequence variation
Stevenson, Claire D., Ramsey, Andrew, Nevin, Owen T. and Sinclair, William 2012. Assessing grey squirrel dispersal patterns within the landscape using sequence variation. Landscape Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2012.668179