The Effect of Temperature on Filtration Rates of Mytilus californianus, the California Mussel

Overview

Objectives/Goals Can mussels be used as a biological mechanism to decrease high levels of phytoplankton in California bay waters? If so, at what temperature do they function best? Methods/Materials Spec-20D spectrophotometer, 20 Mytilus californianus mussels, thermometers, electric heating wands, algae discs, refrigerator/freezer, filtered seawater, mortar & pestle. Dissolve 300 mL of finely crushed algae in 4000 mL of filtered seawater. In 5 different 500-mL beakers, place 390mL of the algae water. Measure the starting transmittance of each of the 5 beakers, then put 4 mussels in 4 beakers. Leave one beaker empty to measure rate of settling. Take 2 transmittance readings per beaker every 10 minutes for 90 minutes with the spectrophotometer. Repeat process for the 19°C trial, done at room temperature. The 14°C & 9°C trials are done in an open refrigerator and freezer. For 24°C or 29°C, use a heating wand to heat water surrounding the trial beakers. Results Mussels at 19°C consistently had an increased rate of filtration. The rates were second fastest at 14°C, their average seawater temperature. At 9°C, there was a 50% decrease in filtration, while at warmer temperatures of 24°C & 29°C, the mussels barely fed at all. In a 90-minute period of time, mussels working at 19°C improved the water clarity by an average of about 22%. At 14°C they cleared up the water by about 11%, and 5% at 9°C. Warmer temperatures showed less than 1.5% improvement in water clarity. Conclusions/Discussion Due to the fact that they are cold-blooded, mussels# respiration rates and feeding rates vary in proportion to their environment#s temperature. They cannot survive or feed in high temperatures. This information can be used to apply mussels for a practical use of clearing up bay waters of algae. Utilizing the knowledge that mussels function quickest at 19°C, they can be placed in waters during the summer, when water temperatures are increased. Calculations show that a population of 2000 mussels can improve water transparency/clarity of a 1-million gallon body of water by 50% in less than two years.

Awards (1)

• Category Award

Competition history

• CSEF 2004 Zoology · Entry S1921

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