Production of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) by benthic suspension feeders in coastal systems

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) from marine suspension feeders enhance particle aggregation

“…No other significant treatment, time, or interaction effects were found for these parameters (p > 0.05). Data are means ± SD for 6 (DOC, bacteria) or 10 (TOC) replicate samples TEP concentrations (p > 0.1, 2-way ANOVAR), a result similar to that previously reported by Heinonen et al (2007). There was also no significant difference in bacterial abundance between the mussel-shell treatment and control treatment at either t = 0 h or t = 5 h (p > 0.1, 2-way ANOVAR).…”

“…Tygon tubing was used to attach the reservoir to the chamber, the chamber to the input of a peristaltic pump, and the output of the pump to the reservoir. This design allowed 14.5 l of seawater to be pumped from the reservoir, through the chamber, and back into the reservoir at a rate of 200 ml min -1 (Heinonen et al 2007). Seawater used for the experiments was pumped from Long Island Sound and passed through a sand filter and a series of cartridge filters, the finest having a nominal pore size of 1 μm.…”

“…In experiments with Mytilus edulis, 15 mussels with an average shell length of 65 ± 12 mm were placed in each chamber. In experiments with Ciona intestinalis, 10 sea vases with an average body length of 70 ± 20 mm were placed in each chamber (Heinonen et al 2007). Control treatments contained no animals so that background concentrations of TEP, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total organic carbon (TOC) could be measured.…”

“…Milli-Q water was used as a blank. The absorption reading was then converted to a concentration of TEP in gum xanthan (GX) equivalents using a 4-point standard curve (Passow & Alldredge 1995a, Heinonen et al 2007). Concentration of TEP in collected samples was expressed as micrograms of GX per liter.…”

“…For example, some macrozooplankton and nekton contribute mucus material to the pelagos in the form of protective sheaths, mucus 'houses', fecal pellets, and feeding webs (Alldredge & Silver 1988). Many benthic suspension feeders have been shown to produce significant amounts of TEP under field and laboratory conditions, including the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica (McKee et al 2005), the bay scallop Argopecten irradians, blue mussel Mytilus edulis, slipper snail Crepidula fornicata, and 2 species of solitary ascidians (Ciona intestinalis and Styela clava) (Heinonen et al 2007). Mucus released by macroalgae and corals can also form TEP (Wild 2000, Ramaiah et al 2001).…”