Date of Award
Summer 8-3-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
August 2026
Department
Marine Science and Oceanography
College Granting Degree
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department Granting Degree
Marine Science and Oceanography
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Susan Laramore
Abstract
This thesis characterized the water quality and bacterial communities in nine hard clam hatcheries over two production years through weekly or biweekly water quality and chemistry monitoring, monthly bacterial plating in the second year of production, and select 16S microbiome sampling at select hatcheries to address production bottlenecks and support the reliable production of high-quality seed for Florida’s growing hard clam aquaculture industry. Logistic regression models showed that water source was distinguished by pH, salinity, alkalinity, and nitrite, whereas geographic location was distinguished by temperature, salinity, nitrate, and calcium; temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and alkalinity distinguished seasons. Vibrio bacteria differed significantly in incoming water and clam seed in hatcheries with different water sources, but correlations with individual water quality variables were weak. These findings establish baselines for hatchery monitoring and management, and continued monitoring is recommended for successful clam seed production.
Recommended Citation
Getter, Bonnie, "CHANGES IN WATER QUALITY AND MICROBIOTA OVER TWO YEARS IN FLORIDA HARD CLAM (MERCENARIA MERCENARIA) HATCHERIES" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 387.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/387