Ultra-Violet Sterilization of Water used for rearing Oyster Larvæ

Abstract

IN a recent communication, Aboul-Ela¹ directed attention to the possibility of using ultra-violet light for sterilizing water used for culturing larval organisms. During the past 18 months, this technique has been used with considerable success at this Laboratory when rearing larvæ of Ostrea edulis. Sets of 6 beakers each containing 1 1. of filtered sea water are sterilized by a 10-min. exposure under a 15-watt 16-in. ultra-violet strip light. The larvæ are then introduced into the beakers, which are transferred to a rearing bath.