The sources and dynamics of fine-grained sediment degrading the Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) beds of the River Torridge, Devon, UK

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Pulley, S., Goubet, A., Mosser, I., Browning, S. and Collins, A. L. 2019. The sources and dynamics of fine-grained sediment degrading the Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) beds of the River Torridge, Devon, UK. Science of the Total Environment. 657 (March 20), pp. 420-434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.401

AuthorsPulley, S., Goubet, A., Mosser, I., Browning, S. and Collins, A. L.
Abstract

The Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is an endangered organism across its entire range. It has a complex life cycle and stringent habitat requirements and is therefore an indicator species for the general ecosystem health of host rivers. Whereas historical intensive pearl fishing contributed to population declines, excess nutrient and sediment loss associated with current land use pressures in host river catchments, including modern intensive farming practices, are now highlighted as primary contributory factors. Accordingly, this study investigated the sources and dynamics of fine-grained sediment sampled in the mussel beds of the River Torridge, SW England. Sediment source fingerprinting using a combination of colorimetric and radiometric tracers to construct different composite signatures revealed the importance of roads both as a sediment source and delivery pathway for fine-grained sediment mobilised from fields predominantly supporting lowland livestock farming. Grassland fields with evidence of soil poaching were highlighted as important sediment sources, but equally, riparian woodland was also identified as important, especially during the latter stages of consecutive runoff events when its rainfall buffering capacity was exceeded. Bed sediment storage levels (median up to 393 g m−2) were found to be low (41st percentile) compared to typical values reported by a recent strategic scale survey across England and Wales, whereas elevated turbidity peaks were shown to be long duration (days) in conjunction with consecutive days of rainfall and corresponding runoff events. Hysteresis patterns varied but were generally clockwise during the largest runoff events associated with consecutive rain days; again, suggesting mobilisation of sediment from proximal woodland sources following exceedance of rainfall buffering capacity. In combination, the data assembled by this study provides a basis for planning sediment control measures for protecting the Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FPM) beds from excessive fine-grained sediment inputs associated with the intensive use of primarily grazing land.

KeywordsFreshwater pearl mussel; Sediment; Fingerprinting; Turbidity; Management
Year of Publication2019
JournalScience of the Total Environment
Journal citation657 (March 20), pp. 420-434
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.401
PubMed ID30550906
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeS2N - Soil to Nutrition - Work package 3 (WP3) - Sustainable intensification - optimisation at multiple scales
Publisher's version
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online28 Nov 2018
Publication process dates
Accepted26 Nov 2018
PublisherElsevier Science Bv
Copyright licenseCC BY
ISSN0048-9697

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