584j 



1 20 WATER QUALITY CRITERIA 



present with this method, since all embryos have the same parents and 

 are exactly the same age and size. 



I would be less than honest if I did not caution that while the results 

 of oyster embryo bioassays can be used with a fair degree of confidence 

 when defining water quality for molluscs, the extension of the results to 

 cr..bs, shrimp, swimming fish, diatoms, or the plankton forms on which 

 these animals feed may be a hazardous and ill-advised procedure. At 

 present it appears that where water quality does not interfere with em- 

 bryonic development of oyster larvae, other animal forms will thrive. 

 In spite of this it is my firm belief that similar bioassay procedures must 

 be developed with species representing the other major groups of organ- 

 isms found in the estuarine environment, particularly those of social or 

 economic importance to man. 



I feel strongly that water quality criteria must include bioassay meas- 

 urements of water of the type outlined here, in addition to chemical or 

 physical measurements. 



References 



[1] P. Doudoroff et al, "Bioassay Methods for the Evaluation of Acute Toxicity 

 of Industrial Wastes to Fish," Sewage and Industrial Wastes, Vol 23, No. 11, 

 1951, pp. 1380-1397. 



[2] C. E. Woelke, "Bioassay The Bivalve Larvae Tool," Proceedings, 10th Pacific 

 Northwest Symposium Water Pollution Research, U.S. Department HEWPHS, 

 Portland, Ore., 1961. 



[3] H. C. Davis, "Effects of Some Pesticides on Eggs and Larvae of Oysters 

 (Crassostrea virginica) and Clams (Venus mercenaria)," U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service, Commercial Fisheries Review, Vol 23, No. 12, 1961. 



[4] H. C. Davis and P. Chanley, "The Effects of Some Dissolved Substances on 

 Bivalve Larvae," Proceedings, Nat. Shellfisheries Assn., Vol 46, pp. 59-74. 



[5] H. Hidil, "Effects of Synthetic Surfactants on the Larvae of Clams (M. 

 mercenaria) and Oysters (C. virginica)," Journal, Water Pollution Control 

 Federation, Vol 37, No. 2, pp. 262-270. 



[6] V. L. Loosanoff, "Some Effects of Pesticides on Marine Arthropods and 

 Molluscs," U.S. Public Health Service, Transactions, 2nd seminar on Biological 

 Problems in Water Pollution, April 20-24, 1959. 



[7] K. Okubo and T. Okubo, "Study on the Bioassay Method for the Evaluation 

 of Water Pollution. II. Use of Fertilized Eggs of Sea Urchins and Bivalves," 

 Bulletin, Tokai Regional Fisheries Research Laboratory No. 32, 1962. 



[8] C. E. Woelke, "The Effects of Spent Sulphite Waste Liquor on the Develop- 

 ment of Eggs and Larvae of Three Marine Molluscs and Three of Their Food 

 Organisms," Washington State Department Fisheries, Research Bulletin No 6, 

 1960. 



[9] C. E. Woelke, "Effects of Sulfite Vvaste Liquor on the Normal Development 

 of Pacific Oysters {Crassostrea gigas) Larvae," Washington State Department 

 Fisheries, Research Bulletin No. 6, 1960. 

 [10] C. E. Woelke, "Bioassays of Pulp Mill Wastes with Oysters," U.S. Public 

 Health Service, Transactions, 3rd seminar on Biological Problems in Water 

 Pollution, 1962. 

 [//] R. E. Dimick and W. P. Breese, "Bay Mussel Embryo Bioassay," Proceedings, 

 12th Pacific Northwest Industrial Waste Conference, University of Washing- 

 ton, College of Engineering, 1965, pp. 165-175. 



