Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of artificial eutrophication on the metabolism of the Japanese oyster Crassostrea gigas

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Matsushima Bay, one of the richest oyster-culture areas in Japan, is subject to heavy artificial eutrophication, mainly from the inflow of city and factory sewages. The physiological activity in the oyster Crassostrea gigas in hanging cultures (i.e., suspended in wire-mesh cages) in this embayment declines markedly with progressive development of the gonads; this decline in activity coincides with eutrophication-induced accumulation of fatty material in the epithelia of the digestive organs; the oyster is thereby forced to depend on these accumulated fats for respiratory substrates in order to maintain its increased physiological needs. However, the fats are inefficient energy sources for the oyster and hence, during each spawning season, 50% mortality occurs. In addition, such phenomena as overmaturation of the gonad and disturbance of the lipid and steroid metabolism seem to accelerate this mass mortality. On the basis of the results, the author has compiled a schematic diagram which illustrates the possible causes of mass mortality among C. gigas in an eutrophic environment such as Matsushima Bay.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Chalkley, H.W.: Method for the quantitative morphologic analysis of tissues. J. natn. Cancer Inst. 4, 47–53 (1943)

    Google Scholar 

  • Imai, T., K. Numachi, J. Oizumi and S. Sato: Studies on the mass mortality of the oyster in Matsushima Bay. II. Search for the cause of mass mortality and the possibility to prevent it by transplantation experiment. Bull. Tohoku reg. Fish. Res. Lab. (Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) 25, 27–38 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kan-no, H., M. Sasaki, Y. Sakurai, T. Watanabe and K. Suzuki: Studies on the mass mortality of the oyster in Matsushima Bay. I. General aspects of the mass mortality of the oyster in Matsushima Bay and its environmental conditions. Bull. Tohoku reg. Fish. Res. Lab. (Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) 25, 1–26 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, A. and A.J.M. Kits van Heijningen: A colorimetric micromethod for the determination of glycogen in tissues. Biochem. J. 56, 646–648 (1954)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lison, L.: Histochimie et cytochimie animales, principes et methodes [in Japanese, transl. by T. Imaizumi], 773 pp. Tokyo: Hakusuisha 1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori, K.: Histochemical study on the localization and physiological significance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase system in the oyster during the stages of sexual maturation and spawning. Tohoku J. agric. Res. 17, 287–301 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Changes of oxygen consumption and respiratory quotient in the tissues of oysters during the stages of sexual maturation and spawning. Tohoku J. agric. Res. 19, 136–143 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Imai, K. Toyoshima and I. Usuki: Studies on the mass mortality of the oyster in Matsushima Bay. IV. Changes in the physiological activity and the glycogen content of the oyster during the stages of sexual maturation and spawning. Bull. Tohoku reg. Fish. Res. Lab. (Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) 25, 49–63 (1965a)

    Google Scholar 

  • —, H. Tamate and T. Imai: Histochemical study on the change of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the oyster during the stages of sexual maturation and spawning. Tohoku J. agric. Res. 17, 179–191 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • ——— and O. Itikawa: Studies on the mass mortality of the oyster in Matsushima Bay. V. Changes in the metabolism of lipids and glycogen of the oyster during the stages of sexual maturation and spawning. Bull. Tohoku reg. Fish. Res. Lab. (Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) 25, 65–88 (1965b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nomura, S. and G. Tomita: A simple method of measuring the mechanical activity of cilia. J. Shanghai Sci. Inst. (Sec. 4) 1 (3), 29–39 (1933)

    Google Scholar 

  • Okamoto, K., M. Ueda and R. Maeda: Kenbikyoteki soshikikagaku [Microscopic histochemistry], 592 pp. Tokyo: Igaku-Shoin 1958

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamate, H., K. Numachi, K. Mori, O. Itikawa and T. Imai: Studies on the mass mortality of the oyster in Matsushima Bay. VI. Pathological studies. Bull. Tohoku reg. Fish. Res. Lab. (Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) 25, 89–104 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomita, G.: On the Nomura and Tomita method for measuring the mechanical activity of cilia. Bull. mar. biol. Stn Asamushi 7, 157–167 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Tohoku University, 980, Sendai, Japan

    K. Mori

Authors
  1. K. Mori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by M. Anraku, Nagasaki

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mori, K. Effects of artificial eutrophication on the metabolism of the Japanese oyster Crassostrea gigas . Marine Biology 53, 361–369 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391619

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391619

Keywords

Search

Navigation