EFFECTS OF GRANULATED COAL ASH USED FOR SEDIMENT IMPROVEMENT ON THE BRACKISH WATER CLAM CORBICULA JAPONICA

Abstract

 Granulated coal ash can probably contribute to sediment improvement and carbon dioxide fixation through shell formation of clams owing to its high calcium release rate. In this study, blackish water clam Corbicula japonica was exposed to silt/clay sediment mixed with granulated coal ash (0%, 30%, 90%) to investigate the growth and antioxidant responses of the clam. Although the rate of calcium release from the granulated coal ash exceeded the calcifying rate of the clam, significant increase in the calcification of the clam was not identified during the 30-day experimental period. In granulated coal ash 0%, superoxide dismutase, catalase, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were higher than those in the control. In granulated coal ash 30%, LPO was significantly improved (p<0.05). However, there was still oxidative damage in granulated coal ash 90%. The results concluded that an appropriate mixture of granulated coal ash was important from the viewpoints of the growth and antioxidant system of the clam.