Miguel F.Acevedo
ABSTRACTS
A MINIMALLY-INVASIVE TECHNIQUE TO MONITOR VALVE MOVEMENT BEHAVIOR IN
BIVALVES
Environmental
Technology
17:501-507. 1996
Allen J.H., W.T. Waller, M.F. Acevedo, E.L. Morgan, K.L. Dickson, and
J.H.
Kennedy
Institute of Applied Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
76203
and Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN.
Abstract
A real-time, minimally-invasive method to observe valve movement of
bivalves
using proximity sensors and a personal computer has been developed. The
method is being evaluated as a tool to assess both episodic toxicity
events
and ambient toxicity. The method described minimizes contact with the
animal
to the anchoring of one valve and the placement of a small aluminum
foil
disk on the other valve, and allows the measurement of the distance
that
a clam's valves are open. Using proximity sensors and an aluminum foil
target, valve movements of the Asiatic clam, Corbicula fluminea
were measured and digitally recorded using a data acquisition board and
a personal computer. One advantage of this method is its use of readily
available stock electronics. In its final form, we envision an in situ
biological monitoring system using C. fluminea deployed in
aquatic
systems in association with automated physical/chemical monitoring
systems
like those found at USGS gauging stations. A tool such as this could be
used as a warning system to increase the probability of detecting toxic
events as they occur.
Key Words: Biomonitor, Corbicula fluminea, Watershed Management
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