Aquaculture America 2026

February 16 - 19, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Add To Calendar 19/02/2026 14:15:0019/02/2026 14:35:00America/Los_AngelesAquaculture America 2026SILT HAPPENS: IMPACTS OF GLACIAL SILT ON PACIFIC OYSTER Crassostrea gigas CLEARANCE RATES AND FILTRATION EFFICIENCYVersaille 3The World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

SILT HAPPENS: IMPACTS OF GLACIAL SILT ON PACIFIC OYSTER Crassostrea gigas CLEARANCE RATES AND FILTRATION EFFICIENCY

Coral Tolman*, Jordan Hollarsmith, Krystal Renta

 

Florida Southern College

111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive

Lakeland, FL 33801

tolmangircf@gmail.com

 



The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea [Magallana] gigas, is one of the most economically important aquaculture species in Southeast Alaska. Due to the novelty of the oyster farming industry in Alaska, there are many knowledge gaps surrounding how C. gigas interacts with and reacts to environmental conditions. At glacial outflow areas, glacial silt can deposit into coastal waters, changing environmental conditions. In this study, we look at how varying concentrations of glacial silt affect clearance rates and filtration efficiency of C. gigas. Crossostrea gigas was exposed to three different concentrations of glacial silt (0, 0.1, and 0.2 g/L) based on historical data for Southeast and Central Alaska. Change in algal density over time was recorded to calculate clearance rates and pseudofeces were collected as a proxy for filtration efficiency.  Clearance rates notably increased with higher silt concentration, however the ANOVA test did not produce a significant p-value, although this may be due to a lack of replicates. Pseudofecal ejection significantly increased with rising siltration, indicating a decrease in filtration efficiency. In order to gain more understanding of the interaction between C. gigas and glacial silt, additional replicates and more intensive methods should be performed.