An Investigation of the Effects of Deposit Feeding Invertebrates on the Structural Properties of Clay Minerals

摘要

Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted on the effects of deposit feeding by Heteromastus filiformis (Polychaeta) and Nuculana acuta (Pelecypoda) on the structural properties of clay minerals. No evidence was found for alteration of illite after two months exposure to artificial salt water or after ingestion by H. filiformis and N. acuta. Similar changes in crystal structure and chemical composition were found in montmorillonite ingested by H. filiformis. The results of the montmorillonite experiment contradict three previous studies which suggested clay mineral structure may be altered by digestive processes of marine animals. (Author)