Effects of water viscosity upon ventilation and metabolism of a flatfish, the common sole Solea solea (L.)

Type Article
Date 2007-09
Language English
Author(s) Couturier Christine1, Rouault Alice3, McKenzie David2, 4, Galois Robert1, 4, Robert SergeORCID3, Joassard Lucette3, Claireaux Guy2, 4
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ La Rochelle, CNRS, IFREMER, CRELA, F-17137 Lhoumeau, France.
2 : Univ Montpellier 2, CNRS, ISEM, Stn Mediterraneenne Environm Littoral, F-34200 Sete, France.
3 : IFREMER, CRELA, F-17137 Lhoumeau, France.
Source Marine Biology (0025-3162) (Springer), 2007-09 , Vol. 152 , N. 4 , P. 803-814
DOI 10.1007/s00227-007-0731-z
WOS© Times Cited 10
Keyword(s) EPS, Hypoxia, Metabolism, Water viscosity, Biodeposition, Solea solea
Abstract The French Atlantic coast contains large highly productive intertidal mudflats that are colonised by juveniles of numerous flatfish species, including the common sole (Solea solea, L.). These ecosystems are also heavily exploited by the shellfish farming industry. Intensive bivalve culture is associated with substantial biodeposition (1-6 t-dw ha(-1) day(-1)), which directly or indirectly contributes to increase exopolysaccharide (EPS) concentrations at the interface between water column and seabed. EPS are long-chain molecules organised into colloids, which influence rheological properties of water, particularly viscosity. Increased water viscosity had consequences for ventilatory activity of juvenile flatfish, whereby the minimal pressure required to ventilate the medium increases directly with EPS concentration. Moreover, the critical EPS concentration ([EPS](crit)) at which water was no longer able to flow through the branchial basket ranged from almost nil to over 30 mg l(-1), depending on species and size. [EPS](crit) was lower in small individuals and individuals from species with high metabolic rates (turbot and plaice). These differences may depend upon gill and bucco-branchial cavity morphometrics. The ventilatory workload of sole increased with viscosity to a maximum at 2 mg EPS l(-1). Viscosity might, therefore, be a limiting factor for flatfish post larvae, which colonise the intertidal mudflats, depending upon their size and species. EPS concentrations in the field can reach 15 mg l(-1). A selective effect is conceivable but remains to be estimated in the field.
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