Extreme Low Salinity Effects On Oysters

The recruitment, growth, and mortality rates of the eastern oyster in different water variables was being researched to determine the differences in the extreme low salinity effects on the oysters. Population success was a main concern of the article. The research took place in the Breton Sound in LA over a two year period. Understanding the concepts of the population dynamics is important for researchers and scientists so they can further predict the oyster population. They were able to test their ideas in the Breton Sound. Here they placed cages containing seed and market sized oysters along a salinity gradient where they recorded their results for two years. The oysters were not completely protected as they wanted to perform a study that had natural effects. Therefore they exposed these oysters to predation as they kept parts of the cages open while other sections remained closed. The predation would then be a part of their mortality rate. …show more content…
Another event that occurred creating a second extreme low salinity event was the flooding of the Mississippi River which happened in the late spring of 2011. Throughout the events the oysters were checked for mortality and growth bi monthly as well as the water was tested more on a weekly basis to check all levels of salinity and temperature. It was shown through the research that extreme low salinity during the hot months of summer had a significant negative affect on the recruitment rate on the spat tiles that were placed in the field as well as on the growth and survival of the oysters of all sizes. The duration of the extreme low salinity was too long and that is why there was a negative effect on the oysters. When the extreme low salinity only lasted during the late spring and did not extend into July the effects on the oysters were