Recovery, bioaccumulation, and inactivation of human waterborne pathogens by the Chesapeake Bay nonnative oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis

The recovery efficiency of human waterborne pathogens and the bioaccumulation, depuration and inactivation rates of these pathogens by commercial market-size Crassostrea ariakensis triploids maintained in water of various salinity levels representing the salinity range of the Chesapeake Bay are determined. Aquacultures of nonnative oysters in the Chesapeake Bay have provided good ecological services in regard to efficient cleaning of human-infectious agents from the estuarine waters.