Depuration of metals from soft tissues of oysters (Crassostrea gigas) transplanted from a contaminated site to clean sites

The present study aimed at studying the transplantation of oysters from a polluted site Lau Fau Shan (existing oyster culture zone) in Deep Bay to two clean sites mariculture zones at Yung Shue O and Kat O. The hydrological data, growth of oyster shell length, mortality and metal contents in whole soft tissue were monitored from February 1993 to February 1994. The high growth phase (increase in shell length) and gametogenesis (decrease in dry weight of whole soft tissue) were noted in winter (with low temperature and high salinity), and slow growth phase and spawning in summer (with high temperature and low salinity). Significant reductions (p