The effects of increasing concentrations of suspended mineral coal dust on the energetic physiology of the Caribbean scallop Argopecten nucleus were studied, at a concentration range that is environmentally relevant and representative of areas proximate to coal loading and shipping ports. Adult hatchery-produced animals were exposed to different concentrations of coal dust, i.e. 0, 2, 9 and 40 mg L-1. At increasing concentrations of coal dust, the rates of filtration and pseudofeces production increased, while the rates of ingestion and absorption remained constant. The rates of oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion decreased, as well as the absorption efficiency and the scope for growth. Suspended coal dust particles, at concentrations higher than or equal to 2 mg L-1, were ingested preferentially over microalgae by A. nucleus, causing reductions in its absorption capability, metabolism and in the amount of energy for growth and reproduction, thus generating physiological stress.

悬浮矿粉尘浓度增加对加勒比扇贝Argopecten核的能量生理的影响在与环境有关的浓度范围内进行了研究，并代表了煤炭装卸港口附近的地区。成年孵化场生产的动物暴露于不同浓度的煤尘，即0、2、9和40 mg L-1。随着煤尘浓度的增加，过滤率和假粪便产生率增加，而摄食和吸收率则保持恒定。耗氧率和铵排泄率降低，吸收效率和生长范围降低。浓度高于或等于2 mg L-1的悬浮煤尘颗粒优先于微藻被A.核摄入。会导致其吸收能力，新陈代谢以及用于生长和繁殖的能量减少，从而产生生理压力。