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

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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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Abbreviations

\( {\text{\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{M}O}}_{2} \) :

Oxygen consumption in mgO2 per unit of time (h−1) and unit of mass (kg−1)

\( \ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{\gamma } \) :

Shear rate

%:

Per cent

°C:

Celsius degree

cm:

Centimetre

d:

Day

dw:

Dry weight

e:

Exponential

g:

Gram

H :

Difference in water height

H 0 :

Initial difference in water height

ha:

Hectare

Hz:

Hertz

km2 :

Square kilometre

l:

Litre

L.:

Linnaeus

ml:

Millilitre

mm:

Millimetre

Pa:

Pascal

T :

Time

t:

Tonnes

y, k:

Parameters to estimate, k is the radius of curvature, y the asymptote value, i.e. yield stress

ΔP :

Difference in pressure

μm:

Micron

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank Y. Desaunay, J. Grison, G. Guillou and M. Bréret for their technical assistance, C.S.C. was the recipient of a Ph.D. fellowship from the Conseil Général de Charente Maritime. The financial support by the European Union, Directorate Fisheries, through contract QLRS-2002-00799, Project ETHOFISH, is also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRELA (CNRS-IFREMER-Univ. La Rochelle), Place du Séminaire, BP5, L’Houmeau, 17137, France

    Christine S. Couturier, Alice Rouault, Robert Galois, Serge Robert & Lucette Joassard

  2. ISEM (CNRS-Univ. Montpellier II), Station Méditerranéenne de l’Environnement Littoral, 1 Quai de la Daurade, Sete, 34200, France

    David McKenzie & Guy Claireaux

Authors
  1. Christine S. Couturier
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  2. Alice Rouault
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  3. David McKenzie
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  4. Robert Galois
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  5. Serge Robert
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  6. Lucette Joassard
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  7. Guy Claireaux
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Correspondence to Christine S. Couturier.

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Communicated by S. A. Poulet.

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Couturier, C.S., Rouault, A., McKenzie, D. et al. Effects of water viscosity upon ventilation and metabolism of a flatfish, the common sole Solea solea (L.). Mar Biol 152, 803–814 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-007-0731-z

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