Life habit of vesicomyid clam,Calyptogena soyoae, and hydrogen sulfide concentration in interstitial waters in Sagami Bay, Japan

Abstract

In and around the beds of vesicomyid clam (Calytogena soyoae) located off Hatsushima Island in Sagami Bay, central Japan, hydrogen sulfide concentration in bottom water and interstitial water was measured every 10 cm from just above seafloor to 40 cm deep usingin situ separative dialysis bags. While hydrogen sulfide over 0.01 mmol/kg was not measured from the seawater just above the dense clam beds, the concentration of hydrogen sulfide increased rapidly below 10 cm deep. The results indicate that the habit of the clam is correlated with high concentration of hydrogen sulfide contained in pore waters of sediments between depths of 10 and 20 cm from the bottom surface. Concentrations of hydrogen sulfide ranging from approximately 0.05 mmol/kg to 0.6 mmol/kg might be suitable requirement for the habitat ofC. soyoae.