Role of oligochaetes in the circulation of water and solutes across the mud-water interface

Abstract

SummaryA method was devised and tested using rhodamine B dye to trace the water movement into the sediments under the influence of macrobenthic, especially oligochaete, activity. The method relies on the high sorptive capacity and possible microbial degradation of the dye. A control experiment measured the physical and microbial elimination of the dye and its results were used to determine the movement of water by the macro-invertebrates alone. The results show that pumping of water by macroinvertebrates is significant in the exchange of water and solutes between sediments and the water column.