Development of indicators of habitat condition for southeastern estuaries

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:49461

Ringwood, A H; Holland, A F; Gilbert, G ^[1]; Hyland, J ^[2]

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1. Marine Resources Research Inst., Charleston, SC (United States)
2. NOAA, Charleston, SC (United States). Carolinian Province Office

EMAP-Estuaries (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program) was extended into the southeast during pilot year studies. The efficacy of core indicators as well as some developmental indicators for classification of habitats as degraded or undegraded was evaluated at 24 stations from NC to Indian River Lagoon, FL. Results from continuous DO recordings indicate a pronounced diurnal/tidal component with periods of hypoxia at most sites, but with more extreme values and longer durations at degraded sites. Amphipod toxicity tests showed poor powers of discrimination, but Microtox assays showed some promise. Assays based on the effects of sediments on growth of seed clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) were developed that also yielded encouraging results. The benthic community data was used to develop an index based on community attributes (such as diversity, pollution sensitivity, dominance) that was very effective at discriminating degraded from undegraded sites. Protocols were also developed for in situ deployment of juvenile oysters (Crassostrea virginica) for evaluation of effects on growth, bioaccumulation, and disease. Oysters deployed at degraded sites had significantly lower growth rates, higher concentrations of metals, and higher incidences of disease.

• OSTI ID: 49461
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410273--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CLAMS
ESTUARIES
FLORIDA
METALS
NORTH CAROLINA
OYSTERS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SENSITIVITY
SOUTH CAROLINA
TOXICITY
WATER POLLUTION