Benthic Ecology Lab: Dr. Chris Mayer's Projects
Benthic (bottom-associated) processes are likely becoming more
important in lakes due to greater water clarity and more solar energy
reaching the bottom. This ecosystem engineering is probably caused by
filtering by exotic Dreissena (zebra and quagga mussel; manuscript in
preparation), but declining phosphorus loading may also contribute.
Related projects in my lab include ongoing work with graduate
students from Syracuse University: 1) assessing the effect of increased
water clarity and lower nutrients on submerged aquatic macrophytes 2)
and modeling whole-lake benthic primary production in Oneida Lake, NY,
which has increased since Dreissena introduction. We are also currently
measuring benthic primary production in the Western basin of Lake Erie,
where Dreissena are present, but where sediment from the Maumee River
and phytoplankton blooms frequently limit light penetration. We are
using both O2 evolution and PAM fluorometry to quantify primary
production.
I am also working with colleagues and students from SUNY ESF and
Syracuse University to conduct a laboratory mesocosm experiments
designed to control the main environmental factors that zebra mussels
change (light and nutrient availability) independently of the mussels
themselves. Our goal is to determine the mechanism of observed changes
in lakes. In the first year of the experiment we quantified primary
production, biomass, and nutrient ratios in benthic and pelagic primary
producers.
Another project ongoing in collaboration with colleagues from U. T.
and a visiting student from the Department of Limnology at the
University of Veszprem, Hungary was a survey of differences in the
microbial community associated with Dreissena (zebra and quagga mussel)
shell clusters. Two lines of evidence support the conclusion that both
microbial activity and diversity differ between mussel shell clusters
and nearby soft sediment.
