EFFECTS OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON SOLEMYA VELUM POREWATER NUTRIENT CONSUMPTION

Author

David Jay Dickey, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Date of Award

2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Oceanography

Specialization

Biological Oceanography

Department

Oceanography

First Advisor

Candace Oviatt

Abstract

Despite playing a potentially important role in seagrass bed climate resilience, the effects of global warming on Solemya velum metabolism have not been thoroughly explored. The Atlantic Awning clam (Solemya velum) is a gutless, soft shelled, infaunal clam native to the intertidal, eastern coast of North America, which hosts endosymbiotic bacteria in its gills that oxidize sulfide as the energy source for its nutrition. This clam and other symbiotic species with similar metabolisms increase seagrass bed resilience to global warming by oxidizing excess sulfide in sediment porewater. This study used an outdoor temperature controlled mesocosm system to simulate autumn intertidal conditions in Point Judith Salt Pond. These mesocosms were used to examine changes in porewater ammonium and sulfide concentrations caused by S. velum clams and how these changes were affected by increased water temperatures. Populations of S. velum clams displayed increased rates of sulfide and ammonium uptake at elevated water temperatures. Clam endosymbionts also displayed the ability to oxidize sulfide even when high porewater sulfide concentrations prevented the clams from consuming ammonium. Based on these results, New England S. velum populations are expected to continue moderating sediment porewater sulfide concentrations under projected fall temperature increases through 2100.

Recommended Citation

Dickey, David Jay, "EFFECTS OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON SOLEMYA VELUM POREWATER NUTRIENT CONSUMPTION" (2024). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2557.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2557