Sub-Lethal Effects of Hypoxia/Hypercapnia on Callinectes Sapidus in the York River Estuary, Virginia

This research examined effects of hypoxic environments on blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus in an estuarine environment. Hypoxic conditions were treated as a multiple stressor involving low dissolved oxygen (D.O.), increased carbon dioxide (hypercapnia), and low pH concurrently. The objectives were to: 1) identify hypoxiahypercapnia by monitoring D.O. and pH as an indicator of hypercapnia in shallow regions of the York River, 2) measure blue crab abundance, and 3) describe blue crab responses to hypoxiahypercapnia via field work at Taskinas Creek and lab measurements of respiration. Ambient D.O. and pH were positively correlated in the Taskinas Creek and York River sites (r= .73). Crab abundance (CPUE) was not significantly different among D.O. and pH ranges. It was concluded that hemolymph blood lactate concentration was not considered a good in situ biomarker for exposure to hypoxickypercapnic conditions. Oxygen uptake was not significantly different between normoxic and hypoxic conditions but was significantly affected by pH.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Sciences

Year dc:date.available

1999

Author dc:creator

• Hypes, Sandra R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Peter L. DeFur

• Chesapeake Bay
• Virginia
• York River
• hypercapnia
• estuary
• blue crab
• hypoxia
• Environmental Sciences
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1346

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-2345