While high levels of siltation are known to be deleterious to eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), the collective effect of suspended and bedded sediment is understudied from the perspective of oyster farming and bed restoration. In this study, we used laboratory experiments to explore spat settlement rates on a wild bed proxy substrate (i.e., empty shells on the bottom of experimental tanks) in conditions simulating a siltation event and the presence of suspended spat collectors. Using high-frequency valvometry, we also described the behavioural effects of acute sediment burial on wild adult oysters in situ. The vast majority of larvae settled on bottom substrate as opposed to suspended collectors. Sediment negatively affected overall oyster spat settlement on bottom shell, as spat densities were ≈3 × lower when sediment was present. This negative effect was largely attributed to severely depressed spat densities on the upper side (top) of bottom shells. Settlement on the underside of bottom shell was less affected. Wild adult oyster behaviour was negatively affected by acute burial, which ultimately resulted in death. We suggest that the reduction in settlement in the presence of siltation is likely due to the combined effects of suspended sediment on cue detection and bedded sediment on substrate availability. Given that oysters are ecosystem engineers, the negative effects of siltation on both larval and adult oysters can ultimately result in cascading effects to the surrounding biological community.

虽然众所周知，高水平的淤积对东部牡蛎（Crassostrea virginica）有害，但从牡蛎养殖和河床恢复的角度研究悬浮和床层沉积物的集体影响。在这项研究中，我们使用实验室实验来探索在模拟淤积事件和悬浮卵收集器存在的条件下野生床代理基质（即实验罐底部的空壳）上的卵沉降率。使用高频阀测量法，我们还描述了急性沉积物掩埋对原位野生成年牡蛎的行为影响. 绝大多数幼虫定居在底部基质上，而不是悬浮的收集器。沉积物对底壳上的牡蛎卵的整体沉降产生负面影响，因为当存在沉积物时，卵密度约低 3 倍。这种负面影响主要归因于底壳上侧（顶部）的卵密度严重降低。底壳下侧的沉降受到的影响较小。野生成年牡蛎的行为受到急性埋葬的负面影响，最终导致死亡。我们认为，在存在淤积的情况下沉降减少可能是由于悬浮沉积物对提示检测和层状沉积物对基质可用性的综合影响。鉴于牡蛎是生态系统工程师，