Recovery Rate and Histological Changes in the Gills of Juvenile Abalone Haliotis discus hannai by Exposure Time of Different Water Temperatures and Salinities

Abstract

This study looked into recovery rate and histological changes in the gills of juvenile abalone Haliotis discus hannai by exposure time (3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h) of different water temperatures (15, 20 and 25℃) and salinities (30, 25, 20 and 15 psu) to understand reasons for the death of abalone exposed by low salinity water. In each water temperature, abalone spats that were exposed to low salinity water (less than 20 psu) for over 6 hours showed decrease in survival rate during recovery and those were exposed at the salinity of 15 psu for more than 24 hours all died. Histological observation showed expansion or damage of gills of the species which were exposed at less than 20 psu for over 6 hours. In case of abalones exposed at the salinity of 15 psu for over 24 hours, most gill tissues were destroyed. This result was glaringly obvious at a higher water temperature, lower salinity and longer exposure time. Accordingly, suffocation caused by damage of gills considered one of direct causes of the death.