2009/764 Impact of short-term exposure to acid sulphate leachate parameters on the biochemical condition of stressed Pacific Oysters

By Joel Kellam-Stock

This study investigated the impact of short-term exposure to acid sulphate soil leachate on the biochemical condition of the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas. Oysters were exposed to artificially acidified seawater, aluminium and iron treatments for a period of six hours and assessed for changes in mantle glycogen, mantle protein and haemolymph protein between treatments. An additional challenge using Vibrio harveyi extracellular products was conducted to reduce oyster condition and make them more vulnerable to impacts of acidified treatments. Despite depressed mantle protein levels, no significant differences in biochemical condition were found between control treatments and acidified water treatments indicating that short periods of exposure to acid leachate in the field would be unlikely to have significant impacts on general oyster condition.