Differences in attachment of oysters on different plastic farming gear

Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China

^* Corresponding author’s e-mail: zhuomiaol@ouc.edu.cn

Abstract

Plastic has become an indispensable material in modern industry and daily life due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, such as corrosion resistance, lightweight, durability, and low cost. Plastic farming gear is widely used in aquaculture. Oysters will adhere to farming gear. In this study, plastic farming gear with oyster attachment was collected in Shandong coastal area: black floating ball, colored transparent floating ball and foam floating ball. Compare the number and tightness of oyster attachment on three types of farming gear, and analyze the reasons for the differences in attachment from three aspects: surface roughness, polymer type, and aquaculture scenarios. The results showed that the black floats had the largest number of oysters attached to them and the longest oyster shells. This may be because the black float had a rough surface and a hard texture, and was mainly used in oyster farming areas. However, colored transparent floating balls and foam floating balls were light, easy to float with the waves, and could not provide stable attachment conditions for oysters. This study provides useful information on the interaction between plastic farming gear and bivalves.