경기만 4개 지역 바지락 양식장의 저질조성에 따른 바지락 서식밀도 및 형태적 특성에 대하여 2007년 1월부터 12월까지 조사하였다. 저질조성에서 외리와 종현은 니사질로 분급이 양호하였으며, 백미리는 역질니토로 분급이 불량하였고, 내리는 니사질역으로 분급이 매우 불량하였다. 서식밀도는 저질조성과 상관없이 씨뿌림에 의하여 외리와 백미리에서 높았으며, 내리와 종현동에서 낮게 나타났다. 비만도는 저질조성에서 분급이 매우 불량한 내리와 분급은 양호하지만 먹이생물인 클로로 필-a가 높았던 외리에서 높게 나타났다. 조사기간 동안 수온은 $3.2-27.0^{circ}C$ 범위로 나타났으며, 염분은 21.7-33.3 %, 용존산소는 5.6-12.7 mg/l, pH는 7.36-8.82였다. 부유물질은 3.2-1,266.0 mg/l, 클로로필-a는 $0.3-36.1{mu}g/l$로 나타났다. 각 조사지역의 연간 바지락 비만도 및 성장은 해수중의 클로로필 농도와 유관한 것으로 사료되며, 이는 바지락의 먹이와 관련이 잇는 것으로 사료되었다.
From January to December 2007, we have investigated sediment types, environmental factors and density of clam Ruditapes philippinarum inhabited at Oeri, Naeri, Jonghyeon and Bangmiri tidal flats in Gyeonggi Bay off the west coast of Korea. Sediment types of Oeri and Jonghyeon were characterized with well sorted muddy sand. In contrast, Bangmiri tidal flat was mainly composed of poorly sorted gravelly muddy silt and Naeri was characterized with very poorly sorted muddy-sandy gravel. During the course of study, the surface water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH ranged 3.2 to $27.0^{circ}C$, 21.7 to 33.3 ‰, 5.6 to 12.7 mg/l and 7.36 to 8.82, respectively. The suspended solid (SS) ranged from 3.2 to 1,266.0 mg/l and chlorophyll-a level in the water column ranged $0.3-36.1{mu}g/l$, respectively. The density of clam in the study areas was mainly determined by the harvesting activities rather than the types of substrate. Relatively higher density of clam was observed in Oeri and Bangmiri where the clam seeds were sowed by the villagers. Condition factor of clams were found to be higher in Oeri where the substrate sorting was better with higher level of chlorophyll a. It was believed that sediment types and the level of available food the two governing factors controlling the density and growth of clam in Gyeonggi Bay.
