Determination of the ventilation rates of interstitial and overlying water by the clam Macoma nasuta

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Abstract
The ventilation rates of interstitial and overlying water for the deposit‐feeding, tellinid clam Macoma nasuta (Conrad) were determined using two water‐soluble dyes to differentiate between the two water sources. A unique exposure chamber, the clambox, was used to separate the inhalant and exhalant siphons of the clam, allowing measurements of dye fluxes and total water ventilated. The results suggested that interstitial water constituted very little (4%) of the total amount of water ventilated by this clam. Factors that could affect the importance of interstitial water as a pollutant uptake route and how these might vary among pollutants or infaunal species are discussed.