Ecological and technical of ocean acidification on oyster farming on the East Coast of the United States: a comparative study of Virginia and North Carolina 109 views

This study investigates the impact of changed water chemistry on oyster farming in two coastal states of the USA: Virginia and North Carolina. The aim is to know the extent to which water conditions and different methods in farming oysters are involved in growth, survival rate, and farming their oysters. The inquiry draws a comparison of the two places by investigating the state of the water habitat, the responsiveness of oysters biologically, and the culture techniques. It examines how the long-term acidifying water conditions in Virginia and the variability in short-term acidifying conditions in North Carolina pose distinct problems for oysters at various life stages. The book also discusses how farmers in these two regions make use of technology, equipment, and management on the farm. The results indicate that in Virginia, oysters live in a slow and constant stress, because the water is long time acidic, that leads to decreasing their strength shell and increasing energy expenditure. In North Carolina, the oysters are subject to a sudden and acute stress caused by stripping rains or hurricanes, while an abrupt weather event forces them to leave their crops; however, they return in a short time due to good water flow and floating farming systems. These variations also determine the economic strategies - Virginia highlights the long-term, where North Carolina puts more emphasis on site-based strategies and tactical flexibility. The overall outcome of this research article is that balance among the environment and oysters can be sustained by attaining various target levels of ocean acidification prevailing in the atmosphere with region-specific responses. Among the main actions to be deployed are the enhancement of water quality, adjusting the equipment, agile real-time monitoring, and support of small-scale fisheries through policy and financial instruments.

MA (Master of Arts)

2025-12-03