Studies on the Natural Mortality of the Young Short Necked Clam, Tapes japonica-I. Seaonal Variation of the tidal Temperature, Sainity , and the Effect of Overflowing Fresh Water on the Subterranean Salinity of the Tidal Flat at Low Tide

바지락 치패의 폐사에 관한 연구-I 간척지의 간출시에 있어서의 온도, 염분변화와 유입하천수의 지하염분에 미치는 영향

Frequently , large masses of the young short necked clam, Tapes japonica , die at their tidal flats in summer and this phenomenon has not been explained clearly. The purpose of the present investigation is to study the thermal condition and the chlorinity level of tidal flats in which the young clam appears to be injured. A study is also mad efor the burrowing organism in the lower layer of the esturay over which the fresh water flow during the low tide. Observation are made at five places of the tidal flat near Ikawazu Fixheries Laboratory of Tokyo University during the ebb and flow tide period of the spring tide. The diurnal and monthly changes of tidal temperatures and chlorinities are measured. Results of the study are ; 1. The surface temperature of the tidal flat increases with the ebb tide, reaches the highest between 12-14PM, and gradually decreases thereafter. The temperatures of tidal flat below 5 and 10 cm increase gradually until the flow tide reaches the surface. 2. At the spring tide in summer , the diurnal change of surface of the tidal flat temperature is very extensive ; it reaches 37-39$^{\circ}C$ in August. At the depths of 5 and 10 cm the temperature remains at 33 $^{\circ}C$ and 31$^{\circ}C$ , respectively. 3. The chlorinity of the tidal flat is higher during May through June and lower July through August, and this seems to be related to the amount of rainfall. 4. The chlorinity of the surface of tidal flat increases slightly during the ebb and flow tide periods. The observed higher chlorinity of surface of the tidal flat was 18.82% Cl. 5. At near the esturay, the fresh water that overflows the tidal flat affects the chlorinity of the surface but no such influence to the depth of the flat. 6. From above observations, it is assumed that the young short necked clam in the tidal flat could be exposed to the severe change of environmental conditions. The high temperature of the tidal flat in summer and the low chlorinity of it at flood period may be considered as the change in environment.