The Effect of Nutrient Loading on the Growth Rate of Two Species of Bivalves, Mercenaria mercenaria and Mya arenaria, in Estuaries of Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts

A study was conducted to determine the effect of nutrient loading on the growth of two bivalve species, Mercenaria mercenaria and Mya arenaria. Several samples of both bivalves were subjected to water from three estuaries in Waquoit Bay, MA, having different nutrient concentrations. Results showed that both species showed faster growth in water samples with high nutrient content. It is inferred that the faster growth rate was due to the increased number of primary producers in the nutrient-rich water samples.