Ben Schulman Windsor Knolls Middle School (FCPS) ESEP Teacher Research Fellowship 2004-05 Principle Investigators:Researchers: Dr. Roger NewellChristie Stevens (Predation) Dr. Victor KennedyChris Kelly (Reef Formation) Dr. Joan Manuel

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Ben SchulmanWindsor Knolls Middle School (FCPS)
ESEP Teacher Research Fellowship
2004-05Principle Investigators ResearchersDr
. Roger Newell Christie Stevens (Predation)Dr.
Victor Kennedy Chris Kelly (Reef Formation)Dr.
Joan Manuel
Oyster Research at Horn Point Laboratory (Cambridg
e, MD)
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Oyster Research at Horn Point Laboratory
I. Larval Behavior
III. Reef Formation
II. Predation Studies
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Experimental set-up
Mesocosms (2.1 m)
Desk-top Columns (0.5 m)
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• Context
• The Chesapeake Bays population of the Eastern
  Oyster (C. virginica) has recently fallen to less
  than 1 of historic levels. Recent restoration
  efforts have included attempts to improve water
  quality and augment existing reefs with hatchery
  produced stocks of oyster spat. The states of
  Maryland and Virginia are currently pursuing a
  policy of introducing a new oyster species to
  replace the Eastern Oyster.
• Problem
• If the Asian Oyster were introduced into the
  Chesapeake Bay, would the larvae have the
  appropriate behavioral responses for the
  prevailing environmental conditions.
• Research Objectives
• Determine the behavior of larvae (and possible
  differences between
• species) in response to variations in light,
  temperature, and salinity.
• Compare vertical distribution in the water
  column.
• Measure swimming and sinking speeds.

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Desk-top Columns

• 12 columns measuring 5 cm2 x 50 cm.
• Each designed to maintain three distinct
  salinities.
• Used to analyze larval responses to encounters
  with haloclines of higher lower salinities.
• Measure larval swimming and sinking speeds
• at different temperatures and salinities.

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Mesocosms

• Mesocosm constructed from plastic and a styrofoam
  float suspended in a 10,000 liter water tank.
• Each contains 350 L of water and extends to a
  depth of 2.1 m.
• Used to rear larvae from Trochophore stage (30
  um) to Pediveliger (240 um) stage.
• Over the 18 day development cycle, the vertical
  distribution of larvae is observed with respect
  to depth and light.

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Data Collection and AnalysisDesk-top Columns

• The movements of the larvae are filmed and
  recorded onto DVD. Software programs help sort
  and analyze images.