Iron encrustation of the bivalve Montacuta ferruginosa
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, meer
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Abstract |
The epibiotic iron-encrusted biofilms occurring on the shell of the bivalve Montacuta ferruginosa were examined over an annual cycle in order to determine possible variation of the iron-encrustation. Among the 379 examined specimens, well-coated bivalves always predominate. However, it was found that about 50% of the small-sized bivalves were uncoated or weakly coated during the summer months. This result can be explained by the life history of the bivalve and by the physico-chemical conditions in the sediments. |
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