L'unite d'ecophysiologie et de molysmologie larvaire des bivalves d'interet commercial du laboratoire I.S.T.P.M. d'Arcachon.

An experimental hatchery for bivalves and the different techniques used in Arcachon are described: sea water treatment, phytoplankton culture, conditionning of oysters for spawning and larval culture. This experimental unit has been organised to study the reasons why natural reproduction is disturbed in the bay. The quality of the oysters and the sea water was analysed to ascertain their capacity to acquire normal oyster development. Also, the influence of different micropollutants which may disturb the environment were studied. Observations during larval stage at various concentrations of chemicals include: percentages of fertilized eggs; percentage of D larvae former; percentages of normal and surviving larvae, larval growth, establishing growth curves at different concentrations of each product. The possibilities of introducing applied biology of these hatchery techniques of bivalve larvae are considered to be very great.