Abstract
The impact of the growout of cultured hard clams was evaluated at a commercial mariculture site in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Selected biological, chemical and physical factors were compared between a hard clam growout facility and two nearby reference locations. Measurements of water column nutrients, chlorophyll and dissolved oxygen concentrations gave no indication of differences which could be associated with the presence of the clam farm. Alteration of sediments towards a decreased mean sediment grain size associated with an increase in silt/clay sized particles, as well as an increase in organic content, were observed within 1 m of clam growout bags. Sediment changes did not result in significant changes in benthic dwelling organisms. Differences in mobile macrofauna were minimal, and most differences appear to be associated with variation in seagrass coverage.
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