Uptake, Fate and Elimination by Shellfish in a Laboratory Depuration System

Deputation is the process of purification whereby shellfish ere placed in disinfected, recirculating seawater and allowed to actively filter-feed. Both environmentally and artificially infected oysters and clams were subjected to deputation in a laboratory scale system using ultraviolet light as a disinfectant. Extensive reductions in fecal coliforms, Vibrio vulnificus and non-01 Vibrio cholerae were achieved in both seawater and shellfish meats. Laboratory infected clams shewed significantly higher reductions when compared to environmentally infected oysters. This suggests the presence of a persistent microbiology flora for which ultraviolet deputation may be ineffective.