IMPACT OF INCREASED MINERAL PARTICLE CONCENTRATION ON THE BEHAVIOR, SUSPENSION-FEEDING AND REPRODUCTION OF ACARTIA CLAUSI(COPEPODA)

摘要

Erosion and dumping lead to increased concentrations of mineral particles in coastal waters. The muddy waters contained high concentrations of hydrophylic limestone particles 2-50 microns in diameter. Accumulations of these particles on the sea floor can lead to the mortality of benthic macro-organisms. Using laboratory experiments, we studied the impact of dumping from mines on the mobility, feeding and reproduction of the pelagic suspension-feeder Acartia. Increased particle load changes copepod locomotive and digestive processes. Nauplii production per female decreased about 7 times in waters polluted with mineral particles. A conceptual model of mineral particle concentration impact on suspension-feeders is presented.