Fecal Pellet Production by Macoma balthica and Pellet Transport in Cobequid Bay, Nova Scotia

Abstract

<p> Large high density populations, up to 3,000/m^2 of the bivalve Macoma balthica inhabit the muddy intertidal areas in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia. The fecal pellets produced by Macoma b. are resistant to breakdown. Off Spencer's Point, the pellets are transported via small intertidal channels away from the shore onto a sand bar, at low tide. At high tide the channels act as traps for fecal pellets. The pellets breakdown over the sand bar at high tide, but a large proportion of the pellet remains in suspension as a mucous bound mud agglomerate. In an area of 2000 Macoma b./m^2, the rate of fecal pellet production is approximately 1 Kg dry wt/m^2/yr. </p> <p> The rate of pseudofecal production increases with water turbidity. The rate of sediment reprocessing is approximately 9 Kg dry wt. of sediment/m^2/yr., or a layer of wet sediment approximately 3.3 cm. deep. </p> <p> The Macoma b. in Cobequid Bay are largely deposit feeding. In areas of high population density and coarser sediment, this depletes the surface of sediment mud and fine sand. The influx of sediment necessary to sustain such a population is, in part, pseudofecal material from Macoma b. populations higher on the mud flats. </p>