Clams are known for their delicious taste and culinary uses, but did you know that they also play a vital role in keeping the ocean clean? Clams are filter feeders, which means that they consume small particles and organisms from the water. This process helps to remove excess nutrients and pollutants from the ocean, ultimately leading to a healthier and more balanced ecosystem.
How do clams help clean the environment?
As clams filter the water, they help to remove harmful substances such as nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients come from a variety of sources, including agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge. When these substances are present in excess amounts in the ocean, they can lead to harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion, which can be detrimental to marine life.
Source: https://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/environmental-benefits/
Clams also provide a valuable food source for other marine animals. Many species of fish and birds rely on clams as a primary food source, and their presence helps to maintain a healthy food chain within the ocean ecosystem.
A short video on how clams filter the water. Source: UF/IFAS Solutions
Making things difficult for these heroes
The role of clams in cleaning the ocean is not without its challenges. Pollution and habitat loss can have a significant impact on the ability of clams to filter the water effectively. Overfishing can also have a negative impact on the population of clams and other filter feeders, which can ultimately lead to an increase in harmful substances in the ocean.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to recognize the importance of clams and other filter feeders in maintaining a healthy ocean ecosystem. By reducing pollution and protecting their habitats, we can help to ensure that these important creatures continue to play their vital role in keeping the ocean clean and supporting the diverse array of life that calls it home.
Sources:
Koenig, Erin “Can Clams and Oysters Help Clean Up Waterways?” Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 22 January 2018, https://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/can-clams-and-oysters-help-clean-up-waterways/
“Estimating the Value of Environmental Benefits (Ecosystem Services) Generated by the Hard Clam Aquaculture Industry in Florida” University of Florida, https://shellfish.ifas.ufl.edu/environmental-benefits/