Model development to assess carbon fluxes during shell formation in blue mussels

Le résumé fourni par la source

In order to quantify the amount of carbonate, precipitated as calcium-carbonate in the shells of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) in a temperate climate, an existing Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model for the blue mussel was adapted by separating shell growth from soft tissue growth.Hereby, two parameters were added to the original DEB-model, a calcification cost [J/mgCaCO3] and an energy allocation fraction [-], which resulted in the energy allocated for structural growth being divided between shell and meat growth.As values for these new parameters were lacking, they were calibrated by fitting the model to field data.Calibration results showed that an Energy allocation fraction of 0.5 and a calcification cost of 0.9 J/mgCaCO3, resulted in the best fit when fitted on 2017 and 2018 field data separately.These values however, show the best fit for data obtained within the first couple of years of the shellfish life, and do not take later years into account.Also it could be discussed that some parameters vary throughout the •Our model calculations should be considered an exercise rather than a definite prediction of how mussels will respond to future climate scenarios.Additional information/experimentation is strongly needed to validate the model settings, and to test the validity of the above mentioned outcome of the model.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.