Grantee Research Project Results
2005 Progress Report: Potential Transport of Harmful Algae through Relocation of Bivalve Molluscs
EPA Grant Number: R831704Title: Potential Transport of Harmful Algae through Relocation of Bivalve Molluscs
Investigators: Shumway, Sandra E. , Wikfors, Gary H. , Burkholder, Joann M.
Current Investigators: Shumway, Sandra E. , Joann, Burkholder , Gary H, Wikfors
Institution: University of Connecticut , National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , North Carolina State University
Current Institution: University of Connecticut , NOAA-NMFS , North Carolina State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: September 1, 2003 through September 1, 2007 (Extended to December 31, 2008)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2004 through September 1, 2005
Project Amount: $477,526
RFA: Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Water
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to determine which algal species (harmful and potentially harmful) pass intact and viable through the digestive tract of commercially important bivalve molluscs, therefore determining when bivalves are safe to transport following exposure to specific harmful algal blooms (HAB) species by measuring rates of uptake, gut residence time, and elimination of HAB species fed to the molluscs (i.e., establish the time period for which particular shellfish/algal interactions remain capable of inoculating new areas). Information on the results will be provided to the user groups through presentations, management agencies, trade publications, and pamphlets.
Progress Summary:
We have completed a large portion of the interactions between bivalve mollusc species and HABs that occur in the natural environment. The results from the laboratory experiments clearly demonstrate that transplanted bivalve molluscs can serve as vectors for introduction of harmful algae. This risk is widespread among the bivalve-HAB combinations tested, although not identical for all combinations. Species-specific shellfish/HAB interactions need to be considered in management, restoration, and aquaculture activities for which shellfish are transplanted. Results from the field experiments show that intact cells were present in the biodeposits of most of the bivalves received by Federal Express and naturally exposed to a HAB. Alexandrium spp. and Prorocentrum minimum cells were able to pass intact through the gut of bivalve shellfish; however, the cells did not appear to recover in the test tubes inoculated, suggesting that the bivalves should possibly be held out of the water for a period of 24 hours to prevent bivalve shellfish from being vectors of transport of harmful algae from one body of water to another. Mitigation of the risk of HAB transport by a 24-hour depuration period in seawater or out of water appears promising but needs development and practical trials before a final protocol can be recommended.
Future Activities:
Experiments are planned to test shorter time period of gut clearance or a 24-hour period of bivalve shellfish held out of the water to prevent the cells or the cysts of harmful algae to recover from the biodeposits after the passage through the gut of the bivalves.
Natural blooms occurring during the two remaining summers of the grant also will be a good opportunity to receive more samples of bivalve shellfish exposed to natural HAB.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 41 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
human health, aquatic habitat, decisionmaking, public good, environmental monitoring, algal blooms, marine ecosystem,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Health Risk Assessment, Oceanography, algal blooms, Environmental Monitoring, Ecological Risk Assessment, marine ecosystem, shellfish transport, bloom dynamics, algal bloom detectionProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.