Grantee Research Project Results
Final 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. , Joann, Burkholder , Gary H, Wikfors
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 Amount: $477,526
RFA: Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Water
Objective:
Determine which algal species (harmful and potentially harmful) pass intact and viable through the digestive tract of commercially important bivalve molluscs. Thus to determine when bivalves are safe to transport following exposure to specific 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. Following those results, information will be provided to the user groups through presentations, management agencies, trade publications and pamphlets.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
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 laboratory experiments also demonstrate that this risk of introduction of harmful algal cells can be mitigated by keeping the animals out of the water for 24h before transferring them back into water.
Results from the field experiments show that intact cells were present in the biodeposits of most of the bivalves received by FedEx and naturally exposed to a HAB. Alexandrium sp. 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, confirming the results found in the laboratory experiments, suggesting that a period of 24h out of the water can prevent bivalve shellfish from being vectors of transport of harmful algae from one body of water to another.
Journal Articles on this Report : 8 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 41 publications | 8 publications in selected types | All 8 journal articles |
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Hegaret H, Wikfors GH, Shumway SE. Diverse feeding responses of five species of bivalve mollusc when exposed to three species of harmful algae. Journal of Shellfish Research 2007;26(2):549-559. |
R831704 (2007) R831704 (Final) |
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Hegaret H, Wikfors GH, Soudant P, Lambert C, Shumway SE, Berard JB, Lassus P. Toxic dinoflagellates (Alexandrium fundyense and A. catenella) have minimal apparent effects on oyster hemocytes. Marine Biology 2007;152(2):441-447. |
R831704 (2007) R831704 (Final) |
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Hegaret H, da Silva PM, Wikfors GH, Lambert C, De Bettignies T, Shumway SE, Soudant P. Hemocyte responses of Manila clams, Ruditapes philippinarum, with varying parasite, Perkinsus olseni, severity to toxic-algal exposures. Aquatic Toxicology 2007;84(4):469-479. |
R831704 (2007) R831704 (Final) |
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Hegaret H, Shumway SE, Wikfors GH, Pate S, Burkholder JM. Potential transport of harmful algae via relocation of bivalve molluscs. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2008;361:169-179. |
R831704 (Final) |
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Hegaret H, da Silva PM, Sunila I, Shumway SE, Dixon MS, Alix J, Wikfors GH, Soudant P. Perkinsosis in the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum affects responses to the harmful-alga, Prorocentrum minimum. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 2009;371(2):112-120. |
R831704 (Final) |
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Hegaret H, da Silva PM, Wikfors GH, Haberkorn H, Shumway SE, Soudant P. In vitro interactions between several species of harmful algae and haemocytes of bivalve molluscs. Cell Biology and Toxicology 2011;27(4):249-266. |
R831704 (Final) |
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May S, Burkholder J, Shumway S, Hegaret H, Wikfors G, Frank D. Effects of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium monilatum on survival, grazing and behavioral response of three ecologically important bivalve molluscs. HARMFUL ALGAE 2010;9(3):281-293. |
R831704 (Final) R826219 (Final) |
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Skelton H, Burkholder J, Parrow M. Axenic Culture of the Heterotrophic Dinoflagellate Pfiesteria shumwayae in a Semi-Defined Medium. JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY 2009;56(1):73-82. |
R831704 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
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.