Climate Effect on Growth of Bivalve Mollusc Serripes Groenlandicus Bruguiere, 1789 in Southeast Part of the Barents Sea

Abstract

The Arctic climate is characterised by fluctuations of different time scales, rather important for the processes occurring in the Arctic ecosystems. However, the statement about climate influences on biological phenomena remains substantially speculative, at least, for long time intervals. Zoobenthos assemblages can be rather useful in assessments of climate impact on the marine ecosystems, and sclerochronology of bivalve molluscs possesses high potential for assessment of ecological variability and biological responses on climate change. Present paper is devoted to study of annual growth of smooth cockle Serripes groenlandicus Bruguiere, 1789 at two local settlements in the Pechora Sea (southeast part of Barents Sea). The analysis of results have shown that growth of molluscs in study area correlates well with North Atlantic and Arctic oscillations, water temperature variations and level of precipitation

Keywords

• marine bivalve mollusc
• growth
• climate
• Barents Sea