This document describes the affects of water temperature in hard clam production in Florida. A glossary of terms is provided at the end of the document. Temperature is the measurement of heat in a material and is related to the motion of the particles that make up the material. Many physical properties of materials depend on temperature, including phase solid, liquid or gas, density, and solubility. Temperature is one of the more important parameters collected with waterquality data because data such as conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen concentrations are dependent upon water temperatures. Temperature also plays an important role in biology by determining the rate of biochemical reactions. Aquatic organisms have a range of water temperatures in which they function best. Outside this range, organisms do not function as well. Organisms also have upper and lower temperature tolerances that are incompatible with life.

Address: University of Florida, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Telephone: (352) 543-5057
Website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FA151