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The role of free amino acids as solutes for cell volume regulation in marine molluscs under salinity stress is well established. Under hypoosmotic stress the intracellular concentrations of amino acids decrease by extrusion from the cells, followed by deamination and/or excretion. However, no uncontroversial evidence is available about mechanisms involved in the enlargement of the free amino acid pool during hyperosmotic stress.Since anaerobic metabolism in bivalves can result in the accumulation of the amino acids alanine and glutamate, a possible contribution of the anaerobic metabolic pathways to the osmotic adjustment of the cell during hyperosmotic stress has been considered. The net gain of amino acids implies the fixation of ammonia to 2-0x0

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The uptake and release of material by oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Marennes-Oléron Bay (SW France) were measured in situ using benthic ecosystem tunnels (BEST). There was a large variation in seston concentrations, owing to high sedimentationlerosion dynamics. Organic matter was diluted by resuspended sediment, but had a low C/N ratio, i.e. a high quality, owing to resuspension of microphytobenthos. In many cases a significant decrease of chlorophyll concentrations was observed in tunnels with oysters and mussels. Average clearance rates per tidal cycle ranged from 4 to 7, and from 0.9 to 2.7 1.g-'AFDW.h-' throughout the season, for oysters and mussels respectively. Calculation of the filtration pressure (the fraction of the primary production filtered per day), indicated that bivalves in the bay were able to filter much more than the daily pelagic primary production. It seemed obvious that the bivalve stocks depended not only on phytoplankton but also on microphytobenthos. Significant regeneration of nitrogen could be demonstrated from musselbeds on the sediment, at higher rates than direct excretion of ammonium. No significant release of nutrients was obsewed for the oysters or mussels, when they were put on tables, as practised by the oyster farmers. lt seemed likely that biodeposits were flushed away from the tunnels in this case, and mineralization occurred elsewhere. It was concluded that the canying capacity of the bay for herbivores is extensively exploited by the shellfish. Mineralization of bivalve biodeposits represent a large potential for nitrogen regeneration.