pl23_r0021111.jpg
![A bucket full of quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria r0021111.jpg A bucket full of quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3-east-testmedia-noaa.woc.noaa.gov/dam/Photos/legacy/pl23_r0021111.jpg)
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A bucket full of quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria. Quahogs feed by filteringplankton from the water, pumping up to a gallon per hour or more, depending ontemperature. This feeding activity helps to improve water quality and clarity inNarragansett Bay and is an important ecological link between the Bay's watercolumn and its benthic, or bottom-dwelling community.