The bioprotective properties of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) on intertidal rocky shore platforms

Baxter, Tim; Coombes, Martin A.; Viles, Heather

doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2022.106734

Cited by 7 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…At the same time, macro-algae canopies are known to reduce the efficacy of mechanical weathering processes by regulating microclimatic conditions through increased moisture retention and shading at the rock surface (Coombes et al, 2013;Gowell et al, 2015;Scrosati and Ellrich, 2018). Similar buffering effects have been observed for mussels (Gonzalez et al, 2021;Baxter et al, 2022) and barnacles (e.g., Coombes et al, 2017), with the latter also known to protect surfaces by sealing microcracks (Chlayon et al, 2018). However, research has also suggested that barnacles can enhance the corrosion of sandstone surfaces via dissolution (Pappalardo et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Managing Marine Growth on Historic Maritime Structures: An Assessment of Perceptions and Current Management Practices

2022

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Maritime built heritage (e.g., historic harbors, breakwaters, etc.) is found widely along the coastlines of Europe. Due to its age and traditional construction, built heritage may represent important and largely unidentified hotspots of biodiversity in marine and coastal environments. At the same time, marine growth (e.g., seaweed, mussels, barnacles, etc.) found on these structures may provide both deteriorative and protective functions. To ensure future research focusing on the two-way interactions between marine growth and built heritage addresses the concerns of those responsible for their management, attitudes towards the colonization and growth of marine wildlife must first be evaluated. Such attitudes will shape how marine growth is managed at these sites, which in turn may influence biodiversity and built heritage conservation and any associated values. This study assesses how the growth of sessile species and other surface-colonizing organisms is currently perceived and managed by those responsible for maintaining maritime built heritage, with a particular focus on historic structures constructed of natural stone. Responses from a semi-quantitative online questionnaire of harbormasters, coastal engineers, environmental officers, and heritage managers from around the UK (n = 132) were analyzed alongside a series of semi-structured interviews (n = 29). Our results demonstrate that attitudes towards marine growth are generally in agreement among practitioners irrespective of their occupation or the historic maritime structures they are responsible for managing. Perceptions of marine growth are mostly positive, but concerns exist regarding its impacts on maintenance regimes, the condition of mortar, and health and safety. As well as highlighting opportunities for a more integrated approach to biodiversity and built heritage conservation, the concerns identified require further research attention to help address potential barriers and conflicts that may arise in practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Managing Marine Growth on Historic Maritime Structures: An Assessment of Perceptions and Current Management Practices

2022

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“…André et al, 2012André et al, , 2014Jang & Viles, 2021;McIlroy de la Rosa et al, 2013;Sternberg et al, 2011; and natural rock in marine environments (e.g. Baxter et al, 2022a;Gonzalez et al, 2021;Gowell et al, 2015;Mottershead et al, 2003;Moura et al, 2012).…”

Section: Winter Study Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As well as providing functional habitats for understory species (Bertness et al, 1999; Burnaford, 2004; Umanzor et al, 2017; Watt & Scrosati, 2013), seaweed acts as an important biogeomorphological agent via a range of processes (see Figure S1 in the online Supporting Information), both enhancing and retarding rock weathering and erosional processes, and mediating the transport of sediment in coastal and marine environments (Carling, 2014; Frey & Dashtgard, 2012; Garden & Smith, 2015; Smith & Bayliss‐Smith, 1998). As with other marine organisms that form dense biotic covers and encrustations, such as barnacles and mussels (Baxter et al 2022a; Coombes et al, 2017; Gonzalez et al, 2021), seaweed canopies are thought to reduce the efficacy of mechanical weathering processes by regulating microclimatic conditions through increased moisture retention and shading at the rock’s surface (Coombes, Naylor et al, 2013; Gowell et al, 2015; Scrosati & Ellrich, 2018). At the same time, holdfast growth has been observed to cause the mechanical disintegration of rock and concrete to a depth of up to 10 mm (Hughes et al, 2013; Morrison et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research examining the biogeomorphological roles of marine organisms has typically focused on understanding the effects of marine growth on the breakdown of rock (e.g. Andrews & Williams, 2000; Baxter et al, 2022a; Gonzalez et al, 2021; Pappalardo et al, 2018; Trudgill, 1987) or engineering materials used to construct modern infrastructure, such as concrete (e.g. Chlayon et al, 2018; Coombes et al, 2011, 2017; Lv et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To address this research gap, an exposure trial was developed to examine the effect of seaweed on the physical properties of natural cement-based mortar exposed to intertidal conditions. Similar to canopy-forming seaweeds ; Gowell , 2015) and encrusting organisms that grow on natural shores and concrete surfaces (Baxter et al, 2022a;, we hypothesized that seaweed canopies moderate the breakdown of material by decreasing the efficiency of mechanical weathering processes by dampening temperature variability during air-exposed lowtide periods. Seaweed may also influence salt crystallization (Gowell et al, 2015) and wetting-drying cycles by moderating moisture retention and act as a physical barrier against erosional processes (e.g.…”

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confidence: 99%

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No evidence that seaweed cover enhances the deterioration of natural cement‐based mortar in intertidal environments

Baxter

Coombes

Viles

2022

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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The breakdown of rocks and engineering materials in marine environments is both enhanced and retarded by surface-colonizing marine organisms (seaweed, barnacles, etc.). However, the impact of marine growth on the deterioration of materials used to construct and repair maritime heritage assets, such as natural cement, is poorly understood.This study assesses whether seaweed cover (Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus) influences the breakdown of mortar prepared using natural cement through an exposure trial at Portland Port, Dorset, UK. Using microclimate monitoring and three different indicators of weathering and material breakdown (surface hardness, surface roughness and ultrasonic pulse velocity), samples of mortar with and without a cover of seaweed were compared after 6 months of exposure to intertidal conditions. Our results show that temperature variations were significantly dampened under seaweed canopies compared to uncovered substrate both in summer and winter. As mechanical rock weathering processes are influenced by surface temperature regimes, we infer that these stabilizing effects may translate to a reduction in the efficacy of particular rock breakdown processes. Seaweed cover was not found to have significant effects on the surface hardness of the samples. Conversely, significant differences in surface roughness and pulse velocity were observed, indicating that the seaweed-covered samples experienced less surface and subsurface breakdown.Overall, we found no evidence that seaweed significantly enhances the deterioration of natural cement-based mortar during the first few months of exposure. Instead, we present the first empirical evidence of the bioprotective potential of seaweed covering materials commonly used in maritime built heritage restoration. Future work is now needed to examine the geomorphic roles of seaweed and other marine organisms on different types of materials used in maritime heritage conservation, and the extent to which their impacts on different deteriorative/protective processes vary in time and space, particularly under future climatic scenarios.

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Structural and functional properties of foundation species (mussels vs. seaweeds) predict functional aspects of the associated communities

Cameron,

Scrosati,

Valdivia

2023

COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

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The bioprotective properties of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) on intertidal rocky shore platforms

Cited by 7 publications

References 67 publications

Managing Marine Growth on Historic Maritime Structures: An Assessment of Perceptions and Current Management Practices

Managing Marine Growth on Historic Maritime Structures: An Assessment of Perceptions and Current Management Practices

No evidence that seaweed cover enhances the deterioration of natural cement‐based mortar in intertidal environments

Structural and functional properties of foundation species (mussels vs. seaweeds) predict functional aspects of the associated communities

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