Date of Award

Fall 1998

Document Type

Legacy Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Marine Science

College

College of Science

First Advisor

Richard F. Dame

Abstract/Description

Although there is some information on the effects of flow velocity on the growth and filtration rates of bivalve filter feeders, little is known about how flow velocity effects the uptake and release rates of these organisms. This study examines the influence of various water velocities on the uptake and release rates of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Water samples were taken before and after unfiltered seawater passed over oysters in a flume at 1 cm/s, 5 cm/s, 10 cm/s, 15 cm/s, and 20 cm/s. Water samples were analyzed for chlorophyll a, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, orthophosphate, suspended solids, and total dissolved carbon. A negative relationship was found between the uptakes or releases of most of these constituents and water velocity.

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