Aufwuchs and sediment fouling rates in flow-through aquaria receiving a heated effluent from upper Galveston Bay, Texas

Date

1976

Authors

Strawn, K.
Parker, N.C.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Louisiana State University, Division of Continuing Education

Abstract

Developmental rates of the Aufwuchs community on glass slides, plastic and asbestos plates, and sedimentation rates were determined in flow-through aquaria located in a greenhouse. These aquaria, used to culture selected marine organisms, were provided with thermally regulated water (either 20, 25, 30, 35 C or ambient) taken from the discharge canal of a power plant on upper Galveston Bay, Texas. Aufwuchs accrual was influenced by temperature, salinity, and species cultured. Sedimentation rates due to the supplemental feeding of organisms and sloughing from the Aufwuchs community were as great as 7/ml/liter per day. Biological fouling and accumulation of sediments limit growth and production of intensively cultured organisms by lowering dissolved oxygen levels and producing anaerobic substrates. Organisms which feed by grazing can be effectively used to minimized substrate fouling in mariculture operations.

Description

pgs. 543-559

Keywords

cultured organisms, dissolved oxygen (DO), aquaria, growth, sedimentation, temperature, salinity, grazing, power plants, mariculture

Citation