The decline of native Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, in the Chesapeake Bay has had both economic and ecological consequences on its surrounding community. Ecologically oysters are not only ecosystem engineers, but also keystone species within their community, meaning without them other organisms are drastically affected. Economically, oysters are a valuable commodity which has led to a considerable deterioration of oyster populations. Over harvesting and destruction of habitat can be attributed
A Review of Literature on the Eastern Oyster This section will introduce the Eastern Oyster in biological and economical terms, explain the origins of the species decline within the Chesapeake Bay, and describe ongoing research efforts in the field. Background Scientists have determined that a small subset of species can have a disproportionately large effect on ecosystems, even if they represent a minute portion of the population or biomass (Müller, Bußler, Goßner, Rettelbach, & Duelli, 2008).
its oysters. Oysters are filter feeders which mean they feed on agley and clean the water. The oysters feed on agley and other pollutants in the bay turning them into food for them, then they condense the food down to nutrient and developed things like pearls.Filtering the water also helps the oyster to grow. One oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day, Oysters used to be able to filter the Bay in about a week. However these creatures are now scarce in the bay. The Chesapeake Bays Oyster (crassostrea
for centuries. One of the Bays biggest resources is its oysters. Oysters are filter feeders which mean they feed on agley and clean the water. The oysters feed on agley and other pollutants in the bay turning them into food, then they condense the food down to nutrients and sometimes developed pearls. Filtering the water helps the oysters to grow, and also helps clean the Chesapeake Bay. One oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day, Oysters used to be able to filter the Bay in about a week. However
a problem that is causing a large amount of the problem. Species such as the blue crab, oyster, and atlantic menhaden are three main commercial fishing outputs in the Chesapeake bay, but the recent algae blooms are devastating the harvest numbers of several different species. According to the oyster company of Virginia, over 20 million bushels of oysters were harvested every year during the peak of the oyster rush of the mid 1880’s. These numbers
bays biggest resources is oysters. Oysters are filter feeders which mean they pump water through their gills trapping algae, sediments and nutrients as they release clean the water back into the bay. The material collected through the oysters digestive process forms crystallized layers of nutrient rich matter which sometimes develop into pearls. Filtering the water provides food for the the oysters to grow and also helps to continuously clean the Chesapeake Bay. One oyster can filter fifty gallons
Cryptosporidium Parvum: Transmission and Infection Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan intestinal parasite causing a short-term enteric illness in individuals with functioning immune systems, and can cause a potentially fatal infection in immunosuppressed individuals. Because of C. parvum’s resistance to many of the procedures used to process drinking water and food, and the parasite’s extremely high fecundity, the potential for a large scale outbreak is very high. In fact, C. parvum was responsible
The irony of the passage also relates to the symbolism of the pearl. Ironically, the bed of oysters, which empowers Kino, is the same one that funded the King of Spain. Therefore, the pearl is associated with both light and royalty. Moreover, the symbolism of the pearl is clear when the narrator states: “But the pearls were accidents, and the finding
Chesapeake Bay has suffered from elevated levels of pollution. Nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater treatment plants, farmland, air pollution, and development all lead to reduced water clarity and lowered oxygen levels, which harm fish, crabs, oysters and underwater grasses (Key Commission Issues 1). There are other types of pollution in the bay such as toxic chemicals, but because nutrient pollution is the most significant and most widespread in the Bay its effects are the most harmful to fisheries
Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The bay has much to offer the locals. Many locals have made a career out of harvesting the bay's sea food. The bay's harvest and many of its other attractions bring tourists and in turn revenue for the area. Oysters and blue crab are a big part of the culture in the bay area. However, these organisms are in danger and need help. Description of the problem Eutrophication is a concern in the Chesapeake Bay. Eutrophication is caused by excessive amounts of nutrients