Abstract
This study assessed the effects of food supply on sediment reworking by Nereis diversicolor. We hypothesized that food supply would enhance sediment reworking and that the frequency of food supply would affect the intensity of bioturbation. Mesocosm experiments consisted of four treatments: (1) without worms (control cores), (2) with worms and no food supply, (3) with worms and daily food supply, (4) with worms and weekly food supply. Fluorescent particles, used as tracers, were spread over the sediment surface. Sediment reworking was quantified after 28 days based on the tracer distribution profiles. Results showed that sediment reworking by N. diversicolor was exclusively due to non-local transport processes. Food supply greatly increased non-local transport coefficients (more than 3 times) in comparison with those measured in the absence of a food supply. However, the intensity of sediment bioturbation by these worms was unaffected by the frequency of food supply. This study showed that environmental conditions affecting the quantity of food supply at the water-sediment interface could strongly influence bioturbation process.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
