长山列岛邻近海域春、秋季鱼类群落结构

为探究长山列岛邻近海域春、秋季鱼类群落的空间格局, 根据 2016 年 10 月、2017 年 5 月在长山列岛邻近海域获取的渔业资源与环境调查数据, 应用聚类分析和非度量多维标度分析等多元统计分析方法研究了该海域春季、秋季鱼类群落空间结构及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明, 该海域春、秋季调查共获鱼类 66 种, 隶属于 11 目 33 科 58 属, 其中春季 46 种, 秋季 52 种, 均以鲈形目(Perciformes)为主。春季的优势种为黄鮟鱇(Lophius litulon)、 方氏云鳚(Enedrias fangi)和大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammos otakii)等; 鱼类群落在空间上可分为 2 个站位组, 站位组Ⅰ位于长山列岛以西, 站位组Ⅱ位于长山列岛附近及其东部海域; 底层水温是影响春季鱼类群落空间结构的主要环境因素; 各站位组内的主要典型种如黄鮟鱇和赤鼻棱鳀(Thryssa kammalensis)等存在明显的空间分布差异。秋季的优势种为小眼绿鳍鱼(Chelidonichthys spinosus)、黄鮟鱇和褐牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)等; 鱼类群落在空间上可分为 2 个站位组, 站位组 I 位于远离长山列岛的东部及西部海域, 站位组 II 则围绕长山列岛分布; 水深和底层水温是影响秋季鱼类群落空间结构的主要环境因素, 黄鮟鱇、褐牙鲆和许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)等主要典型种存在着围绕长山列岛分布的趋势。在水温的驱动下春季各站位组的主要典型种空间分布不同, 鱼类群落空间结构表现出较强的异质性; 秋季由于主要典型种的空间分布差异而呈现出环长山列岛和远离长山列岛的鱼类群落空间格局。     

黄海南部海域鱼类群落结构及生物量粒径谱特征

为了解黄海南部海域鱼类群落结构及生物量粒径谱特征, 根据 2017—2018 年底拖网调查资料, 分析了黄海南部海域 4 个季节鱼类种类组成、优势种、资源密度, 构建了鱼类生物量粒径谱。结果显示, 全年共采集鱼类 133 种, 隶属于 20 目 64 科, 全年优势种为小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)、银鲳(Pampus argenteus)、日本鳀(Engraulis japonicus)、带鱼(Trichiurus lepturus), 不同季节优势鱼种存在一定差异; 全年鱼类平均资源密度为(1258.85±796.92) kg/km² , 4 个季节鱼类平均资源密度由大到小依次为夏季、春季、秋季、冬季, 资源密度分布呈现季节差异; ABC 曲线显示春、秋季鱼类群落处于严重干扰状态, 夏、冬季处于中等干扰状态; 鱼类 Sheldon 型粒径谱存在明显的季节差异, 波峰对应的粒径级为高丰度粒径级小的鱼种; 鱼类生物量标准化粒径谱拟合曲线呈抛物线型, 曲率均高于稳定理论值−1, 曲线偏陡, 说明鱼类群落以小型个体为主, 群落中的营养循环效率低。总体上, 黄海南部海域鱼类群落结构处于不稳定状态, 这可能与环境因素、鱼类生理习性以及人类捕捞影响有关。     

马鞍列岛及其东部海域鱼类群落格局与环境因子之间的关系

为探究岛礁海域渔业资源群落格局,于2016年8月、12月及2017年2月和5月对马鞍列岛及其东部海域进行了渔业资源季度调查。利用聚类分析、非度量多维标度(nMDS)和生物环境相关分析(BIOENV)等方法,对该海域的鱼类群落组成、时空动态及其与环境因子的相关性进行了研究。共采集鱼类96种,隶属于12目47科77属,其中鲈形目占比最大,其生物量和丰度占比均超过50%。龙头鱼为全年优势种,春季优势种包括刺鲳、黑鳃梅童鱼和宽体舌鳎;夏季优势种为小黄鱼、带鱼和六丝矛尾虾虎鱼;秋季和冬季优势种相同,为棘头梅童鱼和凤鲚。聚类分析和nMDS结果显示,马鞍列岛及其东部海域鱼类群落可分为站位组I (岛礁周围站点为主)、站位组II (邻近岛礁站点为主)和站位组III (远离岛礁站点为主)。除春季站位组I与站位组III、站位组II与站位组III外,鱼类群落种类组成在各季节不同站位组之间皆存在显著差异。BIOENV分析显示,在底层水温、底层盐度和水深3个因素中,底层水温对鱼类群落影响最大。     

辽东湾鱼类群落结构的季节变化特征

为探究辽东湾鱼类群落结构的季节变化特征，于2020年5月(春季)、8月(夏季)和10月(秋季)在该海域进行了3个航次的底拖网调查，据此分析辽东湾鱼类种类组成、优势种、多样性和群落空间结构随季节变化的情况，并计算群落季节更替与迁移指数，建立鱼类群落丰度-生物量比较曲线。调查结果显示：辽东湾春、夏、秋3个季节共捕获鱼类58种，其中春季34种、夏季49种、秋季46种；优势种春季为短吻红舌鳎、黄鲫和皮氏叫姑鱼，夏季为矛尾虾虎鱼、短吻红舌鳎、白姑鱼、皮氏叫姑鱼和斑鱼祭，秋季为矛尾虾虎鱼、短吻红舌鳎、六丝钝尾虾虎鱼、黄鲫和皮氏叫姑鱼；鱼类群落的多样性指数为1.34～1.63,丰富度指数为1.44～1.68,均匀度指数为0.60～0.64;辽东湾鱼类可分为3个群落类型，靠近湾顶的北部近岸浅滩水域群落、辽东湾中南部深水区群落和辽东湾湾口深水区群落，其中春季和夏季可分为3个群落组，秋季分为2个群落组；鱼类群落的空间分布在春、夏季与底层温度相关性系数最高(春季R=0.270、夏季R=0.408),在秋季与水深相关系数最高(秋季R=0.376);丰度-生物量比较曲线结果显示，辽东湾鱼类丰度优势度曲线均位于生...     

长江口及其邻近海域渔业资源结构的季节变化

基于2012年8月(夏季)和11月(秋季)、2013年1月(冬季)和5月(春季)长江口及其邻近海域的渔业底拖网调查数据，对渔业种类组成、数量分布、群落多样性及其与环境因子的关系进行了研究。结果显示，共捕获渔业种类114种，隶属于17目66科90属，其中鱼类12目36科50属58种，鲈形目种类最多(26种)，甲壳类2目25科33属49种，头足类仅3目5科6属7种。长江口及其邻近海域渔业资源优势种季节更替明显，仅龙头鱼(Harpodon nehereus)为全年优势种。秋季平均单位网次渔获量最高(29.20 kg/h·net)，春季(17.95 kg/h·net)高于夏季(14.60 kg/h·net)，冬季最低(10.15 kg/h·net)，各季节均以底层鱼类和甲壳类为主，中上层鱼类渔获量仅春季较高，占总渔获量20.1%。春、夏季群落多样性指数较秋、冬季高，春季(163)和夏季(176)渔业资源群落更替指数较高，群落稳定性较低，夏季(6)和冬季(–5)迁移指数接近于零，渔业生物迁入和迁出处于相对平衡状态。各季节渔获种类数和总渔获量分别与底层鱼类和甲壳类渔获量呈极显著正相关；秋季渔获种类数与表层温度呈显著正相关，与深度呈极显著正相关。长江口及其邻近海域渔业低质种类呈增加趋势，并且渔业资源结构存在明显的季节变化，渔获种类数、总渔获量及群落多样性指数与表层温度及深度关系密切。     

人类活动对大亚湾海域鱼类群落多样性及其演替的影响

根据2015—2016年间对大亚湾海域进行的4个航次底拖网调查数据,分析了大亚湾鱼类群落的种类组成和多样性特征。结果表明,调查共采集到鱼类131种,隶属14目、53科、84属。其中以鲈形目(Perciformes)占绝对优势(54.20%),其次是鳗鲡目(Agunilliformes)和鲽形目(Pleuronectiformes),均占9.92%。种类数具明显季节变化,以夏季最高,69种;春季最低,32种。鱼类群落优势种组成主要以二长棘犁齿鲷(Evynnis cardinalis)、李氏(Callionymus richardsoni)、斑(Clupanodon punctatus)、竹荚鱼(Trachurus japonicus)、黄鳍马面鲀(Thamnaconus hypargyreus)、短吻鲾(Leiognathus brevirostris)和细条天竺鲷(Apogon lineatus)等小型鱼类为主。多样性分析显示,鱼类物种多样性存在明显的季节差异和空间差异。季节变化上,多样性指数(H')季节变化范围为1.516~1.998,以冬季最高,秋季最低;均匀度指数(J')季节变化范围为0.494~0.869,以冬季最高,夏季最低;丰富度指数(D')季节变化范围为2.230~3.777,以夏季最高,秋季最低。典范对应分析表明,温度、盐度和水深是影响大亚湾海域鱼类群落结构的主要环境因子。空间分布上,海湾中部海域鱼类多样性水平高于沿岸海域。与历史资料相比,由于人类活动对大亚湾生态系统的干扰,鱼类群落结构发生了较大变化,优势种组成更替明显,多样性水平降低,鱼类群落结构趋向简单化。     

北部湾东北部游泳生物资源现状

2009年至2010年对北部湾东北部海域游泳生物调查研究表明，该海域共有游泳生物300种，其中鱼类有209种（硬骨鱼类205种，软骨鱼类4种），隶属15目、70科、119属；甲壳类76种；头足类15种。底层鱼类100种，近底层鱼类72种，中上层鱼类29种，岩礁性鱼类8种，分别占鱼类总数的47．85％，34．45％，13．87％和3．83％。暖水性鱼类153种，暖温性鱼类55种，冷温性鱼类1种，分别占鱼类总数的73．20％，26．32％和0．48％。游泳生物种类数季节变化为夏季〉秋季〉春季〉冬季；资源密度指数季节变化为夏季〉秋季〉春季〉冬季；渔业资源密度随季节变化为夏季〉秋季〉春季〉冬季，渔业资源年平均资源密度为522．925kg·km^-2，约相当于该海域原始渔业资源密度的1／10；生物多样性指数以夏、秋季最高。估算了北部湾东北部海域潜在渔业资源量为1．092×10^5t·a^-1，最大可捕量为5．460×10^4t·a^-1。比较了北部湾渔业资源的历史变动情况，对渔业资源的进一步养护和管理提出了建议。     

岱衢洋鱼类资源及其群落多样性的季节变化

根据2010年春季(5月)、夏季(8月)、秋季(11月)与2011年冬季(2月)对岱衢洋进行的共4个航次的底拖网渔业资源调查资料, 对该海域的鱼类资源状况及其多样性进行了分析, 结果表明: 所捕获的38种鱼分别隶属于1门2纲8目21科31属; 暖温性鱼类无论在种类数量还是生物量与尾数密度方面均居主导地位; 凤鲚四季均为该海域的优势种; 在时间分布上, 生物量与资源尾数密度均以夏季为最高, 而冬季则恰好相反, 且该两季的生物量与资源尾数密度间均存在显著差异(P<0.05), 另外, 在空间分布上, 生物量与尾数密度四季总体上均呈北高南低、东高西低的趋势; 生物量与平均底层温度呈二次曲线相关(P<0.01); 春、秋两季的Margalef丰富度指数( D )、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数( H' )和Pielou均匀度指数( J' )均存在显著差异(P<0.05); 与东海近、外海海域鱼类群落的多样性比较, 岱衢洋的Shannon- Wiener多样性指数( H' )较低。     

辽东湾北部海域鱼类群落结构及多样性

根据2006年夏季(8月)、冬季(11月)和2007年春季(4月)、秋季(10月)在辽东湾北部海域进行的底拖网调查数据,应用相对重要性指数(IRI)、生物多样性指数和多元分析方法等研究了辽东湾北部海域鱼类群落结构特征及季节变化。结果表明:本次调查共出现鱼类39种,隶属于8目23科35属,种类组成以暖温性和暖水性鱼类为主。优势种有较明显的季节更替,季节性优势种包括矛尾虾虎鱼、斑尾复虾虎鱼、小黄鱼、梭鱼、印度鲬、大银鱼和黄,无四季共有优势种,季节性优势种组成较1998年发生较大变化。鱼类群落多样性指数季节变化范围分别为Margaler物种丰富度指数D(0.40～1.69)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H'(0.39～1.45)、Pielou物种均匀度指数J'(0.43～0.75),方差分析表明,3种多样性指数的季节变化差异显著。单因子相似性分析(AONSIM)表明鱼类群落结构存在明显的季节更替现象。相似性百分比分析(SIMPER)表明,小黄鱼、矛尾虾虎鱼、斑尾复虾虎鱼、斑、黄、梭鱼、印度鲬、蓝点马鲛、横带高鳍虾虎鱼、焦氏舌鳎是造成鱼类群落结构季节变化的主要分歧种。鱼类群落结构与环境因子的相关分析和BVSTEP分析表明,水温是影响辽东湾北部海域鱼类群落结构季节变化的主要环境因素。本研究可为渔业生物多样性保护和渔业资源可持续利用提供科学依据。     

春秋季台州湾海域鱼类资源的时空分布特征研究

为研究浙江近岸河口海域鱼类资源分布的时空变化特征,利用2010年4月(春季)和10月(秋季)鱼山渔场台州湾海域底拖网游泳动物资源调查资料,分析了台州湾鱼类资源量的时空分布特征和优势种、温度、盐度、水深等因素对鱼类资源量和分布的影响。结果发现,鱼类尾数密度和质量密度变化趋势一致,秋季鱼类质量密度和尾数密度均远远高于春季;春季调查海域鱼类密度北部高于南部,秋季截然相反。回归分析显示,两季优势种对鱼类资源量变化均有密切关系,其中,龙头鱼对鱼类资源量的贡献率明显高于其他物种,两季均为第一优势种。调查海域底层温度与鱼类质量密度和尾数密度均呈显著的正相关关系(PW=0.001,PN=0.009),水深与资源量相关关系不显著(Pw=0.067,PN=0.051),春季20 m以内水深鱼类资源量较高,而秋季密度高值区水深均大于20 m。研究表明,台州湾海域春秋季鱼类资源密度季节变化明显,空间差异显著,底层水温是主要影响因素。     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

Fertilization by refrigerator stored sperm of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

This study reports on the spermatological properties, and on the development of a protocol for refrigerator storage (4°C) of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) sperm for artificial breeding. Volume, motility, concentration and pH of the freshly collected sperm were 2.21 ± 0.53 (μL g^?1 of fish weight) (mean ± SD), 95 ± 1 (%), 1.93 ± 0.44 × 10⁹ (cells mL^?1) and 7.56 ± 0.17 respectively. Sperm activation was evaluated at different osmolalities of NaCl solution, and motility ceased completely when osmolality of the extender was ≥287 mOsmol kg^?1. Sperm retained motility for 24, 72 and 108 h, after refrigerator storage when sperm were undiluted, suspended in Alsever's solution and suspended in Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol respectively. Fertilization rate of fresh eggs with sperm stored at 4°C in Alsever's solution and Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol was 77% and 60% with a hatching rate of 60% and 43% respectively. The fertilization and hatching success of the stored sperm suggests potential to use refrigeration for transporting genetic material to hatcheries for artificial breeding of L. calbasu in Bangladesh.     

A novel approach to denitrification processes in a zero-discharge recirculating system for small-scale urban aquaculture

This paper presents an innovative process to solve the nitrate build-up problem in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The novel aspects of the process lie in a denitrification bioreactor system that uses solid cotton wool as the primary carbon source and a unique degassing chamber. In the latter, the water is physically stripped of dissolved gaseous O₂ (by means of a Venturi vacuum tube), and the subsequent denitrification becomes more efficient due to elimination of the problems of oxygen inhibition of denitrification and aerobic consumption of cotton wool. The cotton wool medium also serves as a physical barrier that traps organic particles, which, in turn, act as an additional carbon source for denitrification. Operation in the proposed system gives an extremely low C/N ratio of 0.82 g of cotton wool/g of nitrate N, which contributes to a significant reduction of biofilter volume. The additional advantage of using solid cotton wool as the carbon source is that it does not release organic residuals into the liquid to be recycled. Operation of the system over a long period consistently produced effluents with low nitrate levels (below 10 mg N/l), and there was only a very small need to replace system water. The overall treatment scheme, also incorporating an aerobic nitrification biofilter and a granular filtration device, produced water of excellent quality, i.e., with near-zero levels of nitrite and ammonia, a sufficiently high pH for aquaculture, and low turbidity. The proposed system thus provides a solution for sustainable small-scale, urban aquaculture operation with a very high recovery of water (over 99%) and minimal waste disposal.     

Effects of metomidate anaesthesia or transfer to pur sea water on plasma parameters in ammonia-exposed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) in sea water

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) postsmolts weighing 150 ± 53 g were exposed to 14–15 mg l^–1 TA-N (total ammonia-N) in sea water in 1 m³ tanks for 24h. Blood samples were then taken A) immediately after the fish were netted from the exposure tanks and stunned by a blow to the head; B) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of an anaesthetic solution of metomidate in ammonia-free sea water; or C) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of ammonia-free sea water. Plasma TA-N level was 18% lower in the anaesthetised fish compared to in the fish sampled directly from the exposure tanks (p 0.05), and accordingly 16% lower in the fish transferred to pure sea water although this difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Plasma glucose level was higher in the fish transferred to pure sea water than in the fish receiving the two other treatments (p 0.05), but plasma urea, osmolality, Na^{+, Cl–, Ca2+ or Mg2+} levels did not vary significantly between the different treatments. Plasma TA-N level increased with time in the fish in the metomidate solution (p 0.02).