Abstract
The effect of water loading on water purification ability of a bivalve, Corbicula japonica, was studied using outdoor experimental tanks. Seven tanks were set up at the lakeside of Lake Jinzai, and the lake water was pumped up and continuously flowed into each tank. Water load and bivalve density were fixed for 2, 4, 6 (m3 · m-2 · d-1) and 1500, 3000 (ind. · m-2). Removal rate of SS and Chl-a by C. japonica increased with the increase of water loading. On the other hand, the removal rate at high bivalve density (3000ind. · m-2) was lower removal rate at natural density in Lake Shinji (1500ind. · m-2). From the above results, it was concluded that high water loading and density control are necessary for effective water purification by C. japonica.
