Hello there,

Although you don't provide any info on the nature of the heavy metals
(which ones, what amounts, etc.). It is well known that heavy metals
have immediate negative effects on the growth of bivalves and other
marine organisms, and I wouldn't be surprised it this was one of your
main problems. Perhaps you could provide us with more details of the
habitat (e.g. natural, artificial, controlled, semi controlled, etc),
and any other parametre that may be relevant.

Regards,

Patricia Almada-Villela

In message <[log in to unmask]>,
Mathieu Doray <[log in to unmask]> writes
>Hello,
>
>We are students in marine resources and fisheries management in France and
>actually working on abalone management. Unfortunately our stocks recently
>collapsed for some reasons that we still don't understand.
>Could you give us any information about such phenomena occured elsewhere?
> Analysis of dead abalones revealed no bacteria or infectious agent.
>Drifting muds whit rather high rate of heavy metals have been released in
>the sector. Do you think it could explain such a mass mortality?
>Thank you
>
>***************************************************************
>  <To leave send SIGNOFF FISH-SCI to [log in to unmask]>
><For information send INFO FISH-SCI to [log in to unmask]>
>***************************************************************

--
Dr Patricia C. Almada-Villela
Consultant in Conservation and Aquatic Biology
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Coral Reef Fish Specialist Group
60 Newington, Willingham
Cambridge, CB4 5JE. UK
Tel +44 (0)1954 260520
Fax +44 (0)1954 202291
Mobile: 0797 9898052
[log in to unmask]

***************************************************************
  <To leave send SIGNOFF FISH-SCI to [log in to unmask]>
<For information send INFO FISH-SCI to [log in to unmask]>
***************************************************************