Seasonal abundance, distribution, and growth of commercially important marine crustaceans at a hot water discharge in Galveston Bay, Texas

Date

1970

Authors

Gallaway, B.J.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas A&M University

Abstract

Seasonal abundance, distribution, and growth of commercially important crustaceans were investigated at a hot water discharge into a Texas estuary. Temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen levels, hydrogen ion concentrations (pH), and biological samples of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus; white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus; and brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus were taken once a month, January 1968 - December, 1969 at 11 offshore (trawl) and 6 beach (seine) stations. The collecting stations were in and around the entrance of the discharge canal carrying heated water from the P.H. Robinson Generating Station of the Houston Lighting and Power Company into Galveston Bay, Texas. The net effect of the hot water on commercially important crustaceans depended on the time of year; their abundance, temperature tolerance and choice, reaction to current; non-temperature qualities of the cooling water; and other habitat preferences.

Description

198 p., Thesis

Keywords

marine crustaceans, commercial species, abundance, seasonal distribution, growth, thermal pollution, temperature effects, temperature tolerance, penaeid shrimp, white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus, brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

Citation