| In situ clearance rate (CR) and biodeposition of the black pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, were followed during several field experiments from 1996 to 1998 in the lagoon of Takapoto. Serial measurements of total particulate matter (TPM, mg l(-1)), particulate inorganic matter (PLM, mg l(-1)), and particulate organic matter (POM, mg l(-1)) were related to meteorological conditions, especially wind speed. As a general case, POM and PLM increased with wind speed. Nevertheless, PLM increased faster than POM so that the organic content (OC, %) of the TPM decreased progressively when wind speed increased. These TPM variations induced direct changes in feeding processes of P. margaritifera. CR (l h(-1)) averaged 22 l h(-1) for a pearl oyster of 1 g dry... |
