Computer prediction of the evolution of mollusc cultures: Application to Ostrea edulis culture

Abstract A computer program has been written for predicting the evolution of the parameters temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, salinity, pH and microalgal density, environmental indicators in mollusc culture tanks, from data entered hourly by the operator. After evaluating the data, warnings are emitted if the values entered lie outside pre-established critical limits. The times when the culture would reach these limits are calculated from straight lines fitted by applying linear regression to the data for the previous 6 h and the operator is urged to correct the parameters (manually) if these limits are approached. The program, that is written in BASIC 3·0 for a HP 9817 and is currently parametrized for Ostrea edulis culture, also displays graphically recent parameter trends.