成体瘤背石磺不同组织中的重金属含量及其评价

采用原子吸收法测定了瘤背石磺栖息地(崇明北支芦苇滩涂)的水质、土壤及成体瘤背石磺不同组织中的各项重金属含量,并与相应的国家标准进行了比较。结果表明:瘤背石磺栖息地的水质和土壤基本符合相应的国家标准,仅土壤中的Cu和Zn含量略超过国家标准《土壤环境质量标准》,污染指数分别为1.39和1.09。瘤背石磺肝胰腺中积累了较多的Cu、Zn和Fe,含量分别高达314.33、258.33和192.40μg/g组织湿重,两性腺中的Zn含量为309.33μg/g组织湿重,显著高于其它组织(P<0.05),肌肉和卵黄腺中的重金属含量均较低。除Cd含量外,瘤背石磺肌肉中的其它重金属含量均符合国家标准《农产品安全质量:无公害水产品安全要求》中的规定要求,但是肌肉中Cd含量远低于CAC标准(国际食品法典委员会标准)规定的2.0μg/g湿重。     

4种石磺水中呼吸耗氧初步研究

在温度22℃、盐度30的密闭容器内,采用WINLKER氏碘量法测定溶氧量,分别对不同规格的4种石磺[瘤背石磺(Onchidium struma)、平疣桑椹石磺(Platevindex mortoni)、里氏拟石磺(Paraoncidium reevesii)、紫色疣石磺(Peronia verruculata)]的水下呼吸耗氧率进行了测定。结果表明:4种石磺的表皮呼吸耗氧率均随体质量的增加而降低;在相同条件下,比较4种石磺的耗氧率发现,紫色疣石磺、瘤背石磺和平疣桑椹石磺在3 h时耗氧率降到最低,分别为(0.126±0.014)mg·(g·h)-1、(0.111±0.011)mg·(g·h)-1、(0.081±0.006)mg·(g·h)-1,里氏拟石磺在4 h时降到最低,为(0.098±0.015)mg·(g·h)-1;紫色疣石磺的耗氧率在各时间段均明显高于其它3种石磺,以下依次为瘤背石磺、里氏拟石磺、平疣桑椹石磺。     

不同个体大小和环境因子对瘤背石磺水中耗氧率及皮肤特性的影响

本研究设定了3种不同规格,以及温度(15℃、20℃、25℃和30℃)、盐度(5、15、25、35和45)和pH(7.5、7.8、8.1和8.4)3种主要环境因子,通过测定瘤背石磺(Onchidium struma)耗氧率和呼吸器官组织结构的变化研究了其对瘤背石磺呼吸的影响。结果显示,个体较小的瘤背石磺的耗氧率显著高于个体较大的瘤背石磺,且温度、盐度和pH对瘤背石磺的呼吸均有显著影响(P0.05)。在低于25℃时,瘤背石磺的耗氧率和黏液腺长短径随温度的升高而增大,并在25℃时出现峰值;高于25℃后,耗氧率和黏液腺长短径随之减小;表皮厚度的变化趋势与其相反;每0.1 cm~2皮肤所含颗粒腺数目及长短径变化规律不明显。盐度组各项指标的变化规律或趋势与温度组相似,峰值出现在盐度15。pH实验组中,耗氧率和黏液腺长短径随着pH的增加而增加,表皮厚度和颗粒腺长短径却在减小,每0.1 cm~2皮肤所含颗粒腺数目先增大,在pH 8.1时达到最高值,随后急剧减少。随着时间的增加,各影响因子对瘤背石磺的呼吸强度均减小。由此得出,在水下,环境因子对瘤背石磺皮肤呼吸具有显著影响,在25℃、盐度15和pH 8.1时,呼吸代谢良好;而在15℃、盐度45和pH 7.5时,呼吸代谢受到严重胁迫,这为深入揭示瘤背石磺呼吸机制、物种保护和人工增养殖奠定基础。     

不同规格瘤背石磺胃盲囊组织学初步研究

通过组织学观察与组织化学染色,研究了野生瘤背石磺不同体重(2～25 g)与胃盲囊的组织结构和PAS阳性细胞及肥大细胞的分布关系,为进一步探讨瘤背石磺消化生理和食性提供理论依据。结果发现:瘤背石磺胃盲囊组织主要由浆膜层、粘膜下层、固有膜和粘膜上皮层构成。瘤背石磺胃盲囊绒毛主要有两种类型,分别为非纺锤型绒毛和纺锤型绒毛,其中非纺锤型绒毛比例有随瘤背石磺体重增高而降低的趋势。胃盲囊横截面积、绒毛长度和粘膜上皮高度均有随瘤背石磺体重增高而增高的趋势,其中尤以低体重组(<8 g)和高体重组(>18 g)差异明显(P<0.05)。经PAS染色和肥大细胞染色后,发现仅在高体重组(>18 g)瘤背石磺胃盲囊绒毛粘膜上皮有大量的PAS染色阳性细胞和肥大细胞分布。     

几种重要环境因子对瘤背石磺人工养殖成活率的影响

该试验通过模拟生态环境的方式系统研究了温度、盐度和相对湿度等环境因子对瘤背石磺（Onchidiumstrurna）室内养殖成活率的影响。结果显示，当养殖温度为20～26℃且昼夜温差不高于3℃，盐度控制为35左右，相对湿度调节为80％以上，养殖密度低于50只·箱-1（333只·m-3），底泥采用海边高潮线附近的表层粉砂性盐成土，以3cm的厚度铺于养殖箱底部，光照强度低于701x时瘤背石磺死亡率最低，其成活率可达90％以上，且与其他各试验组相比均差异显著（P〈0．05）。结果表明，养殖瘤背石磺需控制温度、盐度、相对湿度、养殖密度、光照强度及底泥等各项指标；同时通过模拟生态环境、改善养殖条件等方式能够提高瘤背石磺成活率，从而实现人工条件下的长期养殖。     

瘤背石磺滩涂生态繁殖的初步研究

2006年6~10月,在长江口北支崇明沿岸的芦苇滩涂上进行了瘤背石磺生态繁殖的实验,观察了瘤背石磺繁殖期的性腺发育、交配与产卵、生殖性能、胚胎与幼体发育和繁殖期的其它生态习性。结果表明:(1)瘤背石磺的性腺发育可以初步分为四期,7~8月份亲本石磺的性腺发育主要处于Ⅲ期和Ⅳ期,9~10月份亲本石磺的性腺主要处于Ⅱ期和Ⅲ期,5g以下的当年繁殖个体性腺发育均处于Ⅰ期;(2)实验区的瘤背石磺多为两个体间的交配,夜间和白天均可见交配个体,7~8月初为交配盛期,9月中旬后很少见交配个体。实验区的瘤背石磺有3个产卵高峰期,最后一个产卵高峰期的产卵量(8月28~29日)远低于前两个产卵高峰期,单只瘤背石磺每次所产卵块面积为10~40 cm2之间,平均每次产卵量为(10.14±3.56)×104cell/只亲本石磺,单个受精卵湿重为(8.95±0.55)μg,受精卵的孵化率为(92.50±3.63)%;(3)实验区瘤背石磺胚胎发育时间为4~10 d,孵化的面盘幼虫10 d后可以顺利发育到匍匐幼虫阶段,匍匐幼虫经过15 d左右可以发育成0.2 g左右的幼体石磺,但是成活率极低,其变态过程和变态条件不详。     

不同规格瘤背石磺胃盲囊5-羟色胺和P物质分布与数量的初步研究

将不同规格野生瘤背石磺，按8g以下、8-18g和18g以上分为三组，组织切片观察胃盲囊组织结构，并采用免疫组化方法，观察5-羟色胺和P物质在胃盲囊中分布及数量变化规律。结果表明：瘤背石磺胃盲囊主要由非纺锤型和纺锤型两种类型绒毛组成，这两种绒毛所占比例在瘤背石磺不同发育阶段明显不同，在18g以上组中以纺锤型为主，此时纺锤型所占比例(66%)约为非纺锤型(34%)的2倍。各组瘤背石磺胃盲囊中均有大量5-HT和P物质阳性细胞的分布，这些细胞主要分布于上皮粘膜层，且主要分布在非纺锤型绒毛中，5-羟色胺和P物质阳性非纺锤型绒毛比例均匀约为纺锤型绒毛的10倍。5-羟色胺和P物质阳性细胞数在瘤背石磺胃盲囊的分布规律，均有随瘤背石磺不断发育重量不断增加而增加的趋势，其中18g以上组5-羟色胺阳性细胞数（112.82个·cm-2）约为8g以下组（34.8个·cm-2）的3倍，而18g以上组P物质阳性细胞数（177.48个·cm-2）约为8g以下组（51.08个·cm-2）的3.5倍。在各组中P物质阳性细胞的数量明显高于5-羟色胺，且在不同发育段其增加趋势更为明显。结论：瘤背石磺胃盲囊5-羟色胺和P物质分布均有随体重增加而增加的趋势。这些细胞主要分布于非纺锤绒毛的粘膜上皮。其中P物质阳性细胞数明显高于5-羟色胺。     

成体瘤背石磺脂类和脂肪酸组成

测定和比较了成体瘤背石磺的肌肉、肝胰腺、两性腺和卵黄腺指数、水分含量、总脂（TL）含量、脂类和脂肪酸组成。结果表明：（1）瘤背石磺的肌肉指数为57131％，显著高于其他3种组织（P〈0．05）；肌肉和两性腺中的水分含量为80％左右，肝胰腺中的总脂／湿质量含量为8．23％，显著于其他3种组织（P〈0．05）。（2）成体瘤背石磺各种组织总脂主要由磷脂（PL）、胆固醇（Cho）、游离脂肪酸（FFA）、甘油三酰（TG）和甘油-酰（MG）组成；肌肉中的PL／TL高达85．24％，显著高于其他3种组织（P〈0．05）；肝胰腺中PL／TL含量仅为41．77％，显著低于其他组织（P〈0．05）；肝胰腺中的FFA/TL达44．99％，显著高于其他组织。（3）成体瘤背石磺肝胰腺中的总饱和脂肪酸（∑SFA）含量达34．93％，显著高于其他3种组织（P〈0．05）；两性腺中总单不饱和脂肪酸（∑MUFA）含量仅为18．96％，显著低于其他3种组织，总多不饱和脂肪酸（EPUFA）含量从大到小顺序依次为：两性腺（40．60％）、卵黄腺（33．21％）、肌肉（30．85％）、肝胰腺（21．00％）。肌肉中C20：4n6（AA）含量显著高于其他组织，两性腺中的C22：5n3（DPA）含量高达10．34％，4种组织中的C20：5n3（EPA）含量均显著大于C22：6n3（DHA）含量。由此可见，PL和PUFA对于瘤背石磺的两性腺发育具有十分重要作用，肝胰腺中高含量的FFA可能与其旺盛的脂类代谢有关，肌肉、卵黄腺和两性腺具有较高的脂类营养价值。[中国水产科学，2008，15（3）：431-438]     

盐度对瘤背石磺血淋巴生理生化指标及免疫应激指标的影响

为探讨盐度对瘤背石磺(Onchidium struma)血淋巴生理生化指标及免疫指标的影响,用不同盐度水平(5、15、25、35和45)的人工海水饲养瘤背石磺幼贝[湿重(2.96±1.02)g]60 d后测定瘤背石磺血淋巴生理生化指标及免疫指标。结果显示:盐度对瘤背石磺血淋巴生化指标和免疫应激指标均有显著影响。低盐度时血糖浓度显著高于高盐度;白蛋白、球蛋白和总蛋白含量均呈现先下降后上升再下降趋势,且均在盐度25时最低;而随着盐度的升高,瘤背石磺血淋巴中甘油三酯含量呈下降趋势,但无显著影响。碱性磷酸酶活性随着盐度的升高呈现下降趋势,而谷丙转氨酶随着盐度的升高呈现抛物线变化,且在盐度15时最高。免疫指标与血液生化指标相一致,均在盐度胁迫时,诱导瘤背石磺机体发生一系列反应,对机体产生一定的损伤。试验结果表明,在低盐度时,瘤背石磺用于渗透压调节的能量多于高盐度,且过高和过低盐度均对瘤背石磺的肝胰腺产生损伤,造成血淋巴中谷丙转氨酶含量增多。     

6个不同产地瘤背石磺肌肉脂质及脂肪酸组成分析与比较

为比较不同产地瘤背石磺(Onchidium struma)肌肉脂质和脂肪酸组成的差异性,采用气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)对6个不同产地(分别为江苏省盐城市亭湖区和大丰市、上海市浦东新区和崇明县、浙江省温州市苍南县、福建省厦门市)的瘤背石磺肌肉脂肪酸组成进行了分析研究。结果显示:(1)瘤背石磺肌肉磷脂/总脂(PL/TL)崇明产高达(74.84±1.38)%,显著高于其它产地的瘤背石磺(P0.05);各产地瘤背石磺肌肉中胆固醇/总脂(Cho/TL)和甘油三酯/总脂(TG/TL)含量差异不明显;苍南产瘤背石磺游离脂肪酸/总脂(FFA/TL)含量最高;(2)苍南产瘤背石磺的总饱和脂肪酸(ΣSFA)含量显著高于其它产地石磺(P0.05),总单不饱和脂肪酸(ΣMUFA)和总多不饱和脂肪酸[ΣPUFA(≥18∶2n)]显著低于其它产地石磺,其它5个产地ΣMUFA含量差异较小,各产地ΣPUFA和总高不饱和脂肪酸[ΣHUFA(≥20∶3n)]含量差异较大。浦东产瘤背石磺肌肉的C20∶5n3(EPA)、C22∶6n3(DHA)、ΣPUFA、ΣHUFA均显著高于其它产地石磺(P0.05)。研究表明,6个产地瘤背石磺肌肉中脂质及脂肪酸组成存在较大差异,上海和盐城两地的瘤背石磺含有丰富的人体必需脂肪酸,且DHA+EPA含量较高,营养价值丰富;苍南和厦门两产地的瘤背石磺具有含量较高且有特殊生理活性的脂肪酸。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).