Metabolic activity and functional diversity changes in sediment prokaryotic communities organically enriched with mussel biodeposits.
This experimental microcosm study reports the influence of organic enrichments by mussel biodeposits on the metabolic activity and functional diversity of benthic prokaryotic communities. The different biodeposit enrichment regimes created, which mimicked the quantity of faeces and pseudo-faeces potentially deposited below mussel farms, show a clear stimulatory effect of this organic enrichment on prokaryotic metabolic activity. This effect was detected once a certain level of biodeposition was attained with a tipping point estimated between 3.25 and 10 g day-1 m-2. Prokaryotic communities recovered their initial metabolic activity by 11 days after the cessation of biodeposit additions. However, their functional diversity remained greater than prior to the disturbance suggesting that mussel biodeposit enrichment may disturb the functioning and perhaps the role of prokaryotic communities in benthic ecosystems. This manipulative approach provided new information on the influence of mussel biodeposition on benthic prokaryotic communities and dose-response relationships and may support the development of carrying capacity models for bivalve culture.
Laboratoire d'écologie benthique, Institut des sciences de la mer, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada.
Thomas
T
Pollet
Laboratoire d'écologie benthique, Institut des sciences de la mer, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada.
Olivier
O
Cloutier
Département de biologie, chimie et géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada.
Christian
C
Nozais
Ocean and Environmental Sciences Division, Maurice-Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Mont Joli, Québec, Canada.
Christopher W
CW
McKindsey
Laboratoire d'écologie benthique, Institut des sciences de la mer, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada.
Philippe
P
Archambault
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D044822:Biodiversity; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
D010100:Oxygen