To determine if the respiration rate of R. odorabile differs in response to long-term exposure to suspended fine clay sediments over a 4 d exposure/4 d recovery period, the respiration data for R. odorabile was analysed with a univariate repeated measures ANOVA model. The respiration rate measured at exposure day 1, 2, 3 and 4 and recovery day 1, 2 and 4 (i.e. time) comprised the within factor treatment and the suspended clay sediment and no sediment control comprised the between factor treatment.