Abstract:

This dataset contains southern ribbed mussel (Geukensia granosissima) survey data that were conducted monthly in May through October (except August) during the 2017 growing season to assess mussel population dynamics (abundance, size-class distribution, and biomass). The survey was done at each of 21 salt marsh sites representing a range of oiling conditions that occurred in Barataria Bay, Louisiana: heavy oiling (n=7 sites), moderate oiling (n=7 sites), and no oiling as a reference (n=7). During each survey, a 0.25m2 quadrat was placed at random within 1 m of the marsh edge at each site, and all mussels to a depth of 10 cm were extracted from the soil. All mussels were measured for maximum length, width, and height (thickness) to the nearest 0.1mm with calipers in the laboratory.

Suggested Citation:

Sean Graham. 2020. Southern ribbed mussel (Geukensia granosissima) survey data, northern Barataria Bay, 2017-05-19 to 2017-10-19. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-8mzk-4714

Purpose:

To assess the long-term effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on southern ribbed mussel (Geukensia granosissima) population structure.

Data Parameters and Units:

The worksheet "Site Coordinates": Oiling Category [Reference (RF; n=7), Moderate Oil (MD; n=7), Heavy Oil (HV; n=7)]; Treatment ID [RF, MD, HV]; Site ID [Identifier used to specify and distinguish different sites]; Latitude [decimal degrees]; Longitude [decimal degrees]. The worksheet "Mussel Abundance": Sampling date [date of sample collection; MM/DD/YYYY]; Month ID; Oil Category [Reference (RF), Moderate Oil (MD), Heavy Oil (HV]; Treatment ID [RF, MD, HV]; Site ID [Identifier used to specify and distinguish different sites]; Juvenile Abundance [#/m2]; Adult Abundance [#/m2]; and Total Abundance (#/m2). Juvenile mussels: ≤60mm shell length; Adult mussels: >60mm shell length; Total: juvenile + adult mussels. The worksheet "Mussel Size and Biomass": Sampling date [date of sample collection; MM/DD/YYYY]; Month ID; Oil Category [Reference (RF), Moderate Oil (MD), Heavy Oil (HV]; Treatment ID [RF, MD, HV]; Site ID [Identifier used to specify and distinguish different sites]; Sizeclass [Adult or Juvenile]; Mussel ID; Shell Length [mm]; Shell Width [mm]; Shell Height [mm], Biomass [g/mussel], and Notes.

Methods:

Southern ribbed mussel (Geukensia granosissima) surveys were conducted in May, June, July, September, and October 2017 at each of 21 site locations representing a range of oiling conditions that occurred in Barataria Bay, Louisiana: heavy oiling (n=7 sites), moderate oiling (n=7 sites), and no oiling as a reference (n=7). During each survey, a 0.25m2 quadrat was placed at random within 1 m of the marsh edge at each site, and all mussels to a depth of 10 cm were extracted from the soil. In the laboratory, all mussels were measured for maximum length, width, and height (thickness) to the nearest 0.1mm with calipers. Mussel tissue was then extracted from each shell, dried to a constant mass at 60 ºC, and weighed to the nearest 0.01g. Mussels were classified as adult (>60mm) or juvenile (≤60mm).

Individual Files: