The Meioflume: A New System for Observing the Interstitial Behavior of Meiofauna.

Meiofauna (benthic invertebrates < 1 mm in size) facilitate sediment biogeochemical cycling, alter sediment microbial community structure, and serve as an important trophic link between benthic micro- and macrofauna, yet the behaviors that mechanistically link individuals to their ecological effects are largely unknown. Meiofauna are small and sediments are opaque, making observing the activities of these animals challenging. We developed the Meioflume, a small, acrylic flow tunnel filled with grains of cryolite, a transparent sand analog, to simulate the conditions experienced by meiofauna in an observable lab environment.

Locomotory Palp Function in Interstitial Annelids.

AbstractThe interstitial environment of marine sediments is a complex network of voids and pores that is inhabited by a diverse and abundant fauna. Animals living within these interstitial spaces show widespread functional adaptations to this environment and have developed many strategies for moving and navigating through small spaces. Interstitial annelids demonstrate a remarkable level of morphologic diversity, and some possess dexterous, filiform palps (tentacle-like appendages common across Annelida).

Fundamentals of burrowing in soft animals and robots.

Creating burrows through natural soils and sediments is a problem that evolution has solved numerous times, yet burrowing locomotion is challenging for biomimetic robots. As for every type of locomotion, forward thrust must overcome resistance forces. In burrowing, these forces will depend on the sediment mechanical properties that can vary with grain size and packing density, water saturation, organic matter and depth.

Transport of biodeposits and benthic footprint around an oyster farm, Damariscotta Estuary, Maine.

The benthic impact of aquaculture waste depends on the area and extent of waste accumulation on the sediment surface below and around the farm. In this study we investigated the effect of flow on biodeposit transport and initial deposition by calculating a rough aquaculture "footprint" around an oyster aquaculture farm in the Damariscotta River, ME. We also compared a site under the farm to a downstream "away" site calculated to be within the footprint of the farm.