Ecosystem engineering potential of the gastropod Terebralia palustris (Linnaeus, 1767) in mangrove wastewater wetlands: a controlled mesocosm experiment
Penha-Lopes, G.; Bartolini, F.; Limbu, S.; Cannicci, S.; Mgaya, Y.; Kristensen, E.; Paula, J. (2010). Ecosystem engineering potential of the gastropod Terebralia palustris (Linnaeus, 1767) in mangrove wastewater wetlands: a controlled mesocosm experiment. Environ. Pollut. 158(1): 258-266. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.07.009 In: Environmental Pollution. Elsevier: Barking. ISSN 0269-7491; e-ISSN 1873-6424, more |  |
| Authors | | Top | - Penha-Lopes, G., more
- Bartolini, F.
- Limbu, S.
- Cannicci, S.
| - Mgaya, Y.
- Kristensen, E.
- Paula, J.
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| Abstract | The effect of different sewage concentrations (0, 20, 60 and 100%), vegetation (Bare, Avicennia marina or Rhizophora mucronata) and immersion periods (immersion/emersion period of 12/12 h or 3/3 days just for 100%) conditions were studied for 6 months on survival and growth rates of Terebralia palustris (Linnaeus, 1767). Gastropods' activity and ecosystem engineering preformed at bare and A. marina planted cells and 3 sewage conditions (0, 20 and 60%) were determined. Survival rates were higher than 70% in all treatments. Growth rate decreased significantly with increasing sewage concentrations (mainly at unplanted conditions) and longer immersion periods. A complete shift (from immersion to emersion periods) and a significant decrease in mobility and consequently its engineer potential, due to sewage contamination, lead to a 3-4 fold decrease in the amount of sediment disturbed. Sewage contamination, primary producers' abundance and environmental conditions may have influenced the gastropods survival, growth and its ecosystem engineering potential. |
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