Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Variable
Characteristics
Rank value
Site without roads available and without sea connection
Site only with sea connection
Site only with road connection
Site with roads available and with sea connection
0
1
2
3
ACS
Less than 5 months with suitable temperature
Between 6 to 9 months with suitable temperature
More than 10 months with suitable temperature
0
1
2
NMST
From 1 to 5 m in average
From 6 to 10 m in average
More than 10 m
1
2
3
AVD
Annual average more than 31 m/s
Annual average between 21 to 30 m/s
Annual average between 11 to 20 m/s
Annual average between 1 to 10 m/s
0
1
2
3
MCAS
From 67% to 100% of water turbidity
From 34% to 66% of water turbidity
From 11% to 33% of water turbidity
From 1 % to 10% of water turbidity
0
1
2
3
AAPD
Rocky
Clay-slime
Sandy
0
1
2
MSK
Table 1. Rank value used to assess clam aquaculture suitability.
After the 7 sites were selected, we performed one week field stays of work in each of them.
The CCS value for each site was obtained after we analyzed all the specific characteristics of
the environmental and socioeconomic features considered in the formula for each place
(Table 2). As we can see the best site to develop clam culture is located in Estero San Buto
where optimal conditions were found with a CCS value of 90.
According to the characterization of this site we recommend that the species to be cultured
are the Catarina scallop (
Argopecten ventricosus
), the Lion paw scallop (
Nodipecten
subnodosus)
, the Pen shell (
Atrina maura
), and the Chocolata clam (
Megapitaria squalida
).
We recommend to establish polyculture facilities for these local species, without intensive
culture activities, thus avoiding the nourishment excess and the pollution caused by the
own detritus of the cultured individuals (Fig. 4). There exist 150 ha in Estero San Buto
suitable to establish this recommended polyculture, being possible to hire workers in the
locality for it; an average annual harvest of 2,312 tons of the different species is estimated.
Knowing the precise biological, physicochemical and social environment, we can determine
the best species to cultivate, the recommended total area to use, and the methodology to be
employed to produce the lesser environmental impacts and to obtain the maximum
profitability. Our methodology could be used not only to select appropriate sites for clam
culture but also to assess the suitability, in a quick and accurate way, of any other
aquaculture activity in coastal zones.
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