Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of continuous chlorination on spat of the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

  • Short Papers and Notes
  • Published:
Estuaries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Newly settled spat of the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) exhibited reduced survival and growth when exposed to chronic chlorination (as Na-OCl). Spat exposed to nominal concentrations of 0.250 and 0.500 mg per 1 chlorine-produced oxidant (CPO) had only 20% survival after 12 weeks, compared to 64% survival in controls. Spat growth was retarded by nominal concentrations as low as 0.125 mg per I CPO. Shell height of control oysters increased 103% after 12 weeks, while spat exposed to 0.125 mg per I CPO grew 39% and spat exposed to 0.250 mg per I CPO had no net growth. Surviving spat exposed to 0.500 mg per I CPO showed an apparent growth increase of 160%, due mainly to heavy mortality among smaller-sized spat. The numbers of spat (whether surviving or not) that showed any growth over the 12-week exposure period decreased with increasing chlorine concentration. Larger spat were found to be more resistant than smaller spat to increased chlorination. The mechanism of growth inhibition in spat (mantle retraction and cessation of feeding) appeared to be similar to that found in adult oysters exposed to chlorine.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Literature Cited

  • Bongers, L. H., B. Bradley, D. T. Burton, A. F. Holland, andL. H. Liden. 1977. Biotoxicity of bromine chloride and chlorine treated power plant condenser cooling water effluents. Martin Marietta Corp., Environ. Tech. Center, Baltimore, Md. 61 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coughlan, J., andJ. Whitehouse. 1977. Aspects of chlorine utilization in the United Kingdom.Chesapeake Sci. 18:102–111.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, W. P., B. S. Hester, R. L. Yoakum, andR. G. Domey. 1977. Marine ecosystem testing units: design for assessment of benthic organism responses to low level pollutants.Helgol. Wiss. Meeresunters. 30:673–681.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galtsoff, P. S. 1946. Reactions of oysters to chlorination. U.S. Dept. Interior, Fish Wild. Serv., Research Rept. 11. 28 p.

  • Galtsoff, P. S. 1964. The American oysterCrassostrea virginica Gmelin.U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull. 64:1–480.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolley, R. L. 1978. Water Chlorination: Environmental Impact and Health Effects, Vol. 1. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan. 439 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolley, R. L., H. Gorchev, andD. H. Hamilton, Jr. 1978. Water Chlorination: Environmental Impact and Health Effects, Vol. 2. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan. 909 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, M. H., Jr.,R. J. Diaz, M. E. Bender, andR. J. Huggett. 1975. Acute toxicity of chlorine to selected estuarine species.J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 32:2525–2528.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, G. I., andD. P. Middaugh. 1978. Seasonal chronic toxicity of chlorination to the American oyster,Crassostrea virginica (G), p. 311–328.In R. L. Jolley, H. Gorchev, and D. H. Hamilton, Jr. (eds.), Water Chlorination: Environmental Impact and Health Effects, Vol. 2. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, G. I., D. P. Middaugh, N. Watabe, A. M. Crane, andN. H. McGlothlin. 1980. Physiological effects of chlorine-produced oxidants and uptake of chlorination by-products in the American oyster,Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), p. 501–516.In R. L. Jolley, W. A. Brungs, and R. B. Cumming (eds), Water Chlorination: Environmental Impact and Health Effects, Vol. 3. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, G. I., andW. B. Vernberg. 1979. Seasonal effects of chlorine-produced oxidants on the growth, survival, and physiology of the American oyster,Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), p. 415–435.In W. B. Vernberg, F. P. Thurberg, A. Calabrese, and F. J. Vernberg (eds), Marine Pollution: Functional Responses. Academic Press, Inc., New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waugh, G. D. 1964. Observations on the effects of chlorine on the larvae of oysters,Ostrea edulis L., and barnacles,Elminius modestus Darwin.Ann. Appl. Biol. 54:423–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells, H. W. 1961. The fauna of oyster beds, with special reference to the salinity factor.Ecol. Monogr. 31:239–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, G. C. 1978. Current chlorination and dechlorination practices in the treatment of potable water, wastewater and cooling water, p. 1–18In R. L. Jolley (ed.), Water Chlorination: Environmental Impact and Health Effects, Vol. 1. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Peter F. Sheridan

    Present address: Southeast Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 4700 Avenue U., 77550, Galveston, Texas

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory Bears Bluff Field Station, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Box 368, 29455, Johns Island, South Carolina

    Peter F. Sheridan

Authors
  1. Peter F. Sheridan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Contribution No. 411, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sheridan, P.F. Effects of continuous chlorination on spat of the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Estuaries 4, 376–378 (1981). https://doi.org/10.2307/1352164

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1352164

Keywords

Search

Navigation