Turbulent mixing limits mussel feeding: direct estimates of feeding rate and vertical diffusivity

Field measurements of physical and biological parameters, together with the estimation of mass transport and estimation of clearance rates (for feeding rate) using a biodeposition method (defecation) were combined to improve the understanding of the limiting factors that affect the feeding rate of blue mussels in an intertidal commercial re-laid benthic mussel bed. The study used an in situ feeding rate method to describe one of the mechanisms that underpins mussel bed self-patterning. The feeding rate of mussels measured using the in situ method (defecation) closely matched the rate of the measured turbulent transport of chl a. This relationship suggested that the supply rate of food limited the growth of mussels in this system. Vertical food depletion ([chl a]