Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses : Honours Theses 1996 The Filtration Rate, Oxygen Consumption and Biomass of the Introduced Polychaete Sabella Spallanzanii Gmelin Within Cockburn Sound : Can it Control Phytoplankton Levels and is it an Efficient Filtereeder? F Geordie Clapin Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons Part of the Marine Biology Commons Recommended Citation Clapin, G. (1996). The Filtration Rate, Oxygen Consumption and Biomass of the Introduced Polychaete Sabella Spallanzanii Gmelin Within Cockburn Sound : Can it Control Phytoplankton Levels and is it an Efficient Filter Feeder?. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/321 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/321 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. 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Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. The filtration rate, oxygen consumption and biomass of the introduced polychaete Sabella spallanzanii Gmelin withir. Cockburn Sound: can it control phytoplankton levels and is it an efficient filter feeder? THESIS for the Degree of Bachelor of Science HONOURS Geordie Clapin Stndent No. 1996 Department of Environmental Management Edith Cowan University, Joondalup. Supervisors: Dr Paul Lavery Edith Cowan University and Dr Sjaak Lemmens CSIRO TABLE OF CONTENTS COPYRIGHT CLAUSE TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................... 11 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................. VI LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. VII ABSTRACT •..•••••.••.••.••.••...•••••...•••••••.••.•...••.•..........................•.......•........•••...•.•• VIII DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. IX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................. x INTRODUCTION •....................•...•••........•••.....•••........•.•......•.••.••....••••••••.••••••••••••.. 1 Background .................................................................................................................... I Significance and purpose of the study .............................................................................. 2 Components of the study ................................................................................................. 4 Aims ............................................................................................................................... 5 Review of literature ......................................................................................................... 6 Structure of the thesis ..................................................................................................... 9 Description of the study site: Cockburn Sound ............................................................... I 0 BIOMASS IN COCKBURN SOUND ................................................................... 13 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 13 Aims ............................................................................................................................. 13 METHODS ........................................................................................................................ I4 Study site ...................................................................................................................... 14 Preliminary sampling and detennination of sample size ....................... ,.......................... 15 Preliminary investigation to detennine an appropriate measure of biomass ..................... 16 Sampling design, collection and processing .................................................................... 18 Area of Sabella spal/anzanii coverage .......................................................................... I 9 Statistical analyses ........................................................................................................ 20 RESULTS .......................................................................................................................... 20 DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 25 Distribution of Sabella spallanzanii biomass within Cockburn Sound ............................ 25 Seasonal changes in biomass and worm size .................................................................. 27 FILTRATION RATE ............................................................................................ 29 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 29 Evidence of effects of temperature and algal cell concentration on filtration rate ............. 29 Aims and hypothesis ..................................................................................................... 31 Definition ofTenns ....................................................................................................... 31 Literature on filtration rate methodology ........................................................................ 32 MEIHODS ........................................................................................................................ 35 Experimental design ...................................................................................................... 35 Collection and care of specimens ................................................................................... 36 Phytoplankton selection and rearing ............................................................................... 36 P re IUJ1.JJl3lY. .mvestJgatJon . .............................................................................................. 36 Experimental apparatus, set-up and testing .................................................................... 37 Procedure ..................................................................................................................... 38 Calculation of filtration rate .......................................................................................... 39 Statistical analyses ........................................................................................................ 41 RESULTS .......................................................................................................................... 42 Effect of temperature .................................................................................................... 42 Effect of algal cell concentration ................................................................................... 43 Effect of body and crown size ....................................................................................... 44 DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 4 7 Effect of temperature .................................................................................................... 47 Effect of algal cell concentration ................................................................................... 4K Effect ofbody and cro\Vfl size ....................................................................................... 50 OXYGEN CONSUMPTION •....•.••••...••..•••...•.••..•••••.•..........••.•••..•.•......•...•..•..••••... 52 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 52 Aims and hypothesis ..................................................................................................... 53 METHODS ........................................................................................................................ 53 The methodology of measuring oxygen consumption ...................................................... 53 Experimental design ...................................................................................................... 55 Collection and care of speciinens ..................................................................................