Adenylate energy charge: A possible trophic index for management of oyster intensive aquaculture

1. 1. O. edulis and C. gigas both exhibit a seasonal variation in AEC with minimum values in summer. Two factors, food and temperature, were examined to explain these low summer values. 2. 2. The AEC level varied with food level but a seasonal pattern was still observed. Two age groups of oysters were tested, giving a similar response. 3. 3. The effect of temperature on the seasonal variations in AEC was confirmed by a significant correlation between AEC and temperature. This relationship allows us to calculate an AEC standard that only retains the trophic information. 4. 4. Different trophic levels were identified in Marennes-Oleron Bay with AEC standard but growth rate was not related to them. So, AEC may inform on the carrying capacity of a given area but does not predict growth performances which will depend on other parameters.