수온 및 염분에 따른 굴의 일반적인 대사경향을 알아보기 위하여 수온과 개체크기에 따른 산소소비율과 암모니아 질소 배설률을 측정하였으며, O:N원자비를 산출하였다. 산소소비율과 암모니아 질소배설률은 개체의 크기가 작을수록 높았으며, 수온증가에 따라 증가하였다. O:N 원자비는 일반해수에서 8-40의 범위에 있었으며, 수온 $25^{circ}C$에서 O:N 원자비는 8로 감소하였는데, 이는 산란기에 주요 대사기질로서 단백질을 이용하며, 단백질의 요구가 큰 것으로 추정된다. 이 결과는 굴양식장의 지속적인 관리 및 적정 수용력 산정을 위한 기초자료로 활용이 가능하다.
The tendency of metabolism in oyster, Crassostrea gigas, was investigated in relation to the water temperature and salinity. Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion were measured and O:N ratio were calculated according to the water temperature from February 2007 to September 2008 and body size. The relationship between oxygen consumption and body weight has been examined in C. gigas. The weight-specific oxygen consumption rate (mg $O_2$/g/h) varied inversely with size. Oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion increased with an increase in water temperature. O:N ratio measured in this study ranged from 8 to 40 under ordinary sea water and the ratio was 8 at $25^{circ}C$ and 16 at $10^{circ}C$. This indicates that oyster mainly use the protein as the primary catabolic substrate during gametogenesis. Lower O:N ratio in winter suggests that oysters have to meet their energy demand by metabolizing protein to survive in stressful conditions such as low temperature and lack of sufficient food supply. This studies will provide the basic data for oyster culture farm in assessing the carrying capacity and sustainable management.
