Ribbed Mussels
Coney Island Creekwalk
Ribbed Mussels
Ribbed Mussels are found in dense clusters attached at the base of salt marsh spartina plants growing along the banks of Coney Island Creek. The mussels are filter feeders that feed on bacterioplankton when submerged. Because mussels absorb pollutants, they are indicators of toxic exposures in salt marsh habitats. The dense clumps of mussels also prevent erosion of delicate salt marsh habitat by holding and binding sediments along the shoreline. Large mussel beds are located at the restored spartina colonies on the creek's north side, at Calvert Vaux Park.
Submitted by @lampbane