Enhanced degradation of algal lipids by benthic macrofaunal activity: Effect of Yoldia limatula

摘要

We used the protobranch bivalve, Yoldia limatula, in a series of incubation experiments to test hether activities of deposit-feeding macrofauna cause differences in lipid degradation processes relative to controls lacking macrofauna. Uniformly ~13C-labeled algae (~13C＞98 /100) were used as a source of fresh planktonic lipids, easily distinguished form bulk sedimentary lipids by GC/MS. Variations in concentration of major lipid components ([16:1(ω7), 16:0 and 18:1 (ω9)] faty acids and Phytol)were followed as a function of time in incubations with and without Yoldia.