Assessment effects of cage culture on nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in relation to fallowing in a shallow lake in China

Nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in relation to fallowing in a fish cage farm was investigated in a shallow lake in China. Four sampling sites were set: beneath the cages, at the cage sides, and 50 and 100 m east of the cage farm. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in lake water and sediment were analyzed during a 2-year rearing cycle. The cage culture had a fish yield of 16.3–39.2 tonnes in the study period. Based on the mass balance equation, 1533–3084 kg TN and 339–697 kg TP were contributed to the lake environment. Nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations showed greater increase in the first culture period than in the second rearing cycle. No obvious changes were found at the sampling sites 50 and 100 m east of the cages during the study periods. Main impacts were found close to the cages (beneath the cages and at the cage side); the sampling points at the cage side showed relatively high TN and TP sedimentation. After 3 months of fallowing, water TN and TP decreased significantly but the sediment TN and TP contents remained high. Therefore, recovery seems to happen during fallowing but attention should be paid to whether the culture continues to operate in the future.     

Seasonal fluctuations in the flux of particulate organic matter discharged from net pens for fish farming

ABSTRACT:   Fish farming using net pens consumes large amounts of food for the reared fish, resulting in organic enrichment of the sediment below the fish farm from organic discharge in the forms of fish feces and food residues. Sediment traps were set at a net pen within and outside a fish farm, and organic flux on the sea floor was compared. The year-mean organic flux to the sea floor caused by fish farming from September 2003 to September 2004 was estimated at 2.11 gC/m²/day in total organic carbon (TOC) and 0.26 gN/m²/day in total nitrogen (TN), which were 2.5 times (TOC flux) and 2.2 times (TN flux) larger than that for natural organic flux outside the fish farm. The seasonal fluctuation patterns of organic flux to the sea floor below the fish farm did not necessarily coincide with those for the amount of food spent for the fish farming. The largest organic flux to the sea floor occurred in the autumn, when the vertical mixing of the water had just started. Therefore, organic enrichment of the sediment on the sea floor of a fish farm proceeded during this season.     

梅溪湖表层沉积物营养盐和有机质分布特征及污染评价

梅溪湖属于城市浅水湖泊，其沉积物特征可反映湖泊的水生态环境状况，对防止湖泊富营养化具有重要意义。2020年11月至2021年7月，分季节对梅溪湖表层沉积物（0～10 cm）进行了采样，分析了沉积物TN、NH4+、NO3-、TP、有效磷（AP）和有机质（OM）等指标的时空分布特征和污染程度。结果表明：沉积物（0～10 cm）TN、NH4+、NO3-、TP、AP和OM的平均含量依次为1654.68± 754.22 mg/kg、24.66± 20.02 mg/kg、13.60± 2.33 mg/kg、512.60± 281.39 mg/kg、8.58± 6.81 mg/kg和2.84± 1.43 %。湖区东部营养物和有机质含量最高。人类活动对梅溪湖表层沉积物营养盐的空间分布有着较大的影响。梅溪湖沉积物TP和NO3-含量在春季最高（4月份），冬季（1月）最低。AP含量在春季（4月）最高，在夏季最低（7月份）。沉积物TN、NH4+和OM含量没有明显的季节差异。梅溪湖沉积物TN和TP的含量变幅分别为667～4000 mg/kg和184～1475mg/kg，均已超出我国东部浅水湖泊沉积物的营养物参考阈值范围；TN和TP的标准指数变幅分别为1.21～7.27和0.31～2.46，TN全部超标，梅溪湖生态环境质量受N元素的影响较为严重，对湖泊生态系统安全构成了一定的威胁。相关分析表明，沉积物OM与TN、TP、AP、NH4+、NO3-均显著正相关，说明沉积物有机质的降解和释放对梅溪湖氮磷营养盐具有重要影响。     

网箱养殖对千岛湖水环境的影响

通过对千岛湖网箱养殖区内外水域的四季水质调查,分析得出网箱养殖对千岛湖局部水域会产生明显的影响。造成养殖区水域的DO、pH下降,TN升高,不同季节和不同的水层影响存在差别。冬季对浅层的DO、pH产生明显下降,影响区域小;春季对表层的DO、pH产生明显下降,影响区域大;夏季受水温分层,影响不明显;秋季造成各层水体DO、pH下降,TN上升,影响区域大。千岛湖网箱养殖在春季和秋季对养殖区局部水域影响明显,但分散的网箱养殖对水域影响范围较小,对千岛湖水体短期内影响不明显。     

上海地区池塘沉积物中氮、磷、有机碳及重金属风险评价

为综合评估上海地区池塘沉积物环境质量状况,2016-2019年对上海地区36个养殖场池塘采集沉积物样品360个,检测和分析沉积物中总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）、总有机碳（TOC）及重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Cr、Hg和As含量。研究结果表明,池塘0~10 cm层和10~20 cm层沉积物中TN、TP、TOC及各重金属均值分布无显著差异（P>0.05）,0~20 cm层沉积物（干重）中TN、TP和TOC平均含量分别为（873.37±352.45）mg/kg、（685.66±199.66）mg/kg和（6.62±3.05）mg/g,三者相关性显著。综合污染指数法和有机指数法评价结果表明,池塘沉积物中氮和有机物质的累积量较低,磷累积量相对较高,均低于其他地区高产池塘。池塘沉积物中Cr、Cd、Cu和Hg样品超标率分别为6.42%、3.21%、4.13%和1.38%,Zn、Pb和As无超标现象。地质累积指数、潜在生态危害指数法和一致性沉积物质量基准评价结果表明,上海地区池塘沉积物中重金属整体上处于清洁等级、低潜在生态危害状态,预测不会引发生物毒性效应。     

Environmental effects of a marine fish farm of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in the NW Mediterranean Sea on water column and sediment

This study examined the effects of organic enrichment on water column, sediments and macrofauna caused by a fish farm in the Mediterranean Sea. Samples were collected on four sampling campaigns over a one‐year cycle. Significant differences were found in the water column in dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and total phosphorus concentrations between the fish farm and the control. The increase in the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate concentrations at the fish farm modified the stoichiometric ratios between nutrients, with silicate acting as limiting nutrient at the fish farm 11% more than at the control. Nevertheless, chlorophyll a concentration in the water column was higher at the control station, probably due to the fouling of the underwater fish farm structures. Significant differences were found in sediment concentrations of organic matter, total phosphorus and redox potential between the fish farm and the control. The Canonical Correlation Analysis indicated that organic matter, total phosphorus, redox potential and% of gravels accounted for 68.9% of the total variance in the species data. Changes were observed in macrofauna, with a decrease in number of species and up to a nine‐fold increase in abundance with respect to the control.     

Spatial and temporal variations of sediment quality in and around fish cage farms: A case study of aquaculture in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan

ABSTRACT: Fish cage farming generates large amounts of organic waste in the form of unconsumed feed and fecal matter, resulting in sediment deterioration and a threat to its own sustainability. Field studies analysed the scale of the impact of fish cage farming on sediment quality, variability of impact and spread of sediment enrichment in the vicinity of a fish farm. Two fish culture sites near the Fukuyama area of the Seto Inland Sea of Japan were chosen for the study. There was a significant difference between the quality of the sediment in aquaculture and non-aquaculture areas. The sediment underlying the fish cage farms was found to be extremely reducing, acidic and sulfidic. Sediment ignition loss did not vary markedly with the season. However, the redox potential and acid volatile sulfide content of aquaculture areas did show some seasonal variation. Sediment encircling a 165 m radius from the center of a farm in Yokota was judged as organically enriched by fish farming. A variation in sediment quality within the two sites and also within the stations was observed. Based on sediment quality, the stations could be categorized as less affected, highly affected or moderately affected.     

沉积环境对鱼类网箱养殖的响应

网箱养殖是鱼类集约化养殖的主要方式,近年来得到大力发展,但是网箱养殖也带来诸多的环境问题。本文从沉积环境改变的角度阐述了网箱养殖对环境的影响,包括底层水环境要素、底质理化环境要素和底栖生物环境要素对网箱养殖的响应,并探讨了有机负荷的消减对策。网箱养殖区水环境中溶解氧(DO)通常下降,而化学耗氧量(COD)、氨氮(NH4-N)和无机磷(D IP)增多;底泥沉积物中N、P、硫化物、有机质等大量富集,其中富集现象最明显的是P、硫化物和NH4-N,其次是总氮(TN)和有机质;一般情况下,网箱养殖区底栖生物尤其是多毛类增加,而当污染严重时,会使底栖生物缺失。有机负荷的消减对策包括收集残饵粪便等沉积物、利用生物方法去除有机碎屑和加强养殖管理提高饲料利用率等。     

Cage fish farming in the tropical Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe: impact and biogeochemical changes in sediment

Accumulation of nutrients in the sediment under a tilapia cage farm (2.8–4.4% C, 0.26–0.49% N and 0.04–0.26% P) seemed to follow a seasonal pattern, with highest concentrations prior to winter water turnover. However, in April 1994 (and for P also in April 1992) the surface sediment contained significantly higher nutrient concentrations compared to controls. Generally, significantly higher pore water concentrations were found under the cages compared to controls. However, only in April 1992 were these concentrations of the same magnitude as those found in temperate studies. The average flux of particulate material under the cages, 20–49 g m^?2 per day, was up to 22 times greater compared to controls. Carbon accumulated only in April 1994, implying rapid decomposition. This was supported by a 4–25-fold higher outward flux of ammonium and phosphate from the farm sediment but sediment O₂ consumption was only 29–40% higher compared to control sites. It was concluded that intensive fish farming in the tropics can generate similar eutrophication effects that are observed in temperate regions. However, the results also indicated that a tropical lake system may be able to process local deposition of organic wastes better than a temperate one, suggesting that microbial decomposition may be a rapid and prominent process.     

海水鱼类网箱养殖水域沉积物有机质的来源甄别

利用稳定碳氮同位素示踪技术,对南沙港网箱养殖水域沉积物中有机质的来源进行了分析研究。结果表明,网箱养殖区(距离网箱边缘100 m范围内)及对照区(距离网箱边缘大于500 m)沉积物的δ13C值分别为(-17.72±1.2)‰和(-12.73±0.38)‰,δ15N分别为(6.44±0.2)‰和(5.61±0.2)‰。网箱养殖区沉积物的有机质来源主要为残饵和鱼类粪便,比例分别占47.70%和27.71%。随着与养殖网箱距离的增加,网箱养殖源有机质(残饵和鱼类粪便之和)的比例降低,变化趋势符合指数方程y=97.167e-0.007 4x(R2=0.848 1),在潮流驱动的沉积物再悬浮及野生鱼类的扰动影响下,网箱养殖源有机质的水平位移可达400 m。鱼类网箱养殖的养殖废物是南沙港水域沉积物有机污染的主要来源。     

阳宗海湖滨湿地沉积物中重金属空间分布特征

以阳宗海不同湖岸湖滨湿地沉积物为研究对象，分析测定沉积物中7种重金属含量，评价不同湖岸重金属的污染程度，探讨在不同干扰方式下湖滨湿地沉积物中重金属的主要污染特征，为阳宗海重金属污染防治提供理论依据。结果表明：（1）阳宗海湖滨湿地不同湖岸7种重金属元素污染程度存在差异，表现为：东岸>北岸>南岸>西岸。As、Cd、Cr、Zn、Mn的最高值出现在东岸，Co、Cu、Ni的最高值出现在北岸，Pb的最高值出现在南岸。（2）不同区域湿地沉积物中，东岸（Cu、Ni、As、Cd）、南岸（Cu、Cd）、西岸（Cd）、北岸（Cu、Ni、Cd）的重金属含量明显高于土壤环境质量2级标准，是主要的重金属污染因子，Cu、Ni、As、Cd的含量分别为43.41~111.15、41.64~57.23、10.28~65.31、1.02~1.99 mg/kg；（3）阳宗海流域上游的铝厂、电厂等高污染企业产生的工业“三废”未经有效净化直接排放，流域周围生活污水、化肥和农药等农业面源污染是导致湖泊重金属污染严重的主要原因；（4）湖滨湿地沉积物中重金属与有机质、全磷之间相互影响，Cu、Ni、As和Cd与全磷呈显著正相关，相关系数分别为0.674、0.790、0.357和0.626（P<0.01），增加磷的含量，会增加沉积物对重金属的吸附量；Cu、Ni、As和Cd与有机质呈显著正相关，相关系数分别为0.393、0.451、0.406和0.497（P<0.01）。有机质的降解促进金属离子的释放，使沉积物中重金属含量增高。     

Microbial mineralization of organic matter in sinking particles,bottom sediments and seawater in a coastal fish culturing area

Microbial mineralization rates in sinking particles, bottom sediments and seawater were determined in a coastal fish (red sea bream Pagrus major) culturing area to clarify the mineralization process of organic matter (OM) in the entire water column. The mineralization rates of ¹⁴C‐labelled glutamate and glucose per unit volume were highest in the sinking particles and were 131–572 and 7–49 times higher than those of the seawater and bottom sediments respectively. The turnover time of glutamate tended to be shorter than that of glucose at all three sites of the water column. Bacteria appeared to prefer amino acids to monosaccharides because amino acids could be utilized as both energy and nitrogen sources. The sedimentation rate of particulate organic carbon (POC) derived from phytoplankton accounted for 9–61% of the total POC, and it was particularly high in early summer (61% and 50% at fish cage and non‐cage stations respectively). The present study clearly shows that sinking particles serve as an important site of microbial mineralization process of OM within the water column, and that phytoplankton production was another serious cause of organic pollution of the seafloor in addition to the organic wastes directly discharged from fish farms.     

珠江口淇澳岛红树林湿地沉积物碳、氮分布研究

为了对珠江口红树林湿地沉积物有机质有更为全面、深入的认识,以珠江口淇澳岛红树林湿地为对象,对其沉积物有机碳(TOC)和总氮(TN)的含量分布、储量及来源进行了研究。结果表明,淇澳岛7种主要红树[秋茄(Kandelia candel)、无瓣海桑(Sonneratia opetala)、桐花(Aegiceras corniculatum)、木榄(Bruguiera gymnorhiza)、卤蕨(Acrostichum aureum)、老鼠簕(Acanthus ilicifolius)、海漆(Excoecaria agallocha)]群落表层沉积物TOC质量分数介于1.125%~1.969%,TN质量分数介于0.058%~0.136%。其中秋茄林内TOC含量最高,无瓣海桑林缘TOC含量最高,而木榄林内、林缘TOC含量均最低,且各红树群落TOC含量均呈林内大于林缘的特征。表层沉积物碳氮比(C/N)为12.032~26.690,显示出高等植物对其有机质组成具有较高的贡献率,其中植被内源有机碳的平均贡献率约为70.21%。受土地利用变化等因素的影响,0~30 cm层沉积物的TOC和TN含量均呈现出波动变化的趋势。0~30 cm层沉积物有机碳储量(SOC)介于56.83~69.54 t·hm?2,显示出淇澳岛红树林湿地较强的有机碳埋藏能力。     

The fate of organic matter derived from small-scale fish cage aquaculture in coastal waters of Sulawesi and Sumatra, Indonesia

To determine the fate of organic matter derived from fish cage aquaculture, carbon and nutrient cycling processes in waters and sediments, and water circulation, were examined at two fish cage farms of different size and utilizing different food types, on Sulawesi and Sumatra islands, Indonesia. Mass balance models of C, N and P were constructed to assess the pathways of waste utilization and dispersal. At the smaller farm in Sulawesi (64.5 m² cage area; 3 t annual net production) using pelleted food, there was proportionally less waste (≈ 40% of total C input) than at the larger Sumatran farm (2432 m² cage area; 9 t annual net production) using trash fish (≈ 70% of total C input) as food. At the small farm, the mass balance and hydrographic models indicated a maximum dispersal area of 1180 m², equivalent to 18 times the farm area. Within this area, 30% of total organic matter input (farm waste + fixed phytoplankton carbon) was buried in sediments with 30% mineralized in the water-column and 40% mineralized in the seabed. At the larger Sumatran farm, the models indicated a maximum dispersal area of 29  220 m², roughly 12 times the farm area. Within this area, 30% of total organic matter input (farm waste + natural pelagic input) was buried in sediments with 50% mineralized in the water-column and 20% mineralized on the seabed. There was some evidence of benthic enrichment at both farms, mostly as enhanced dissolved nutrient release, but sulfate reduction accounted for < 25% of total C flux, and denitrification/ammonium oxidation accounted for only 4–17% of N lost from sediments. There was no clear evidence of impact with distance from the cages at either farm. Phytoplankton gross primary production accounted for 60–77% of the total organic input to the receiving environment, suggesting that the relative importance of fish cage wastes must be assessed against natural inputs of organic matter.     

大亚湾鱼类深水网箱养殖对环境的影响

2016年5月(养殖开始前)和2016年8月(养殖投饵高峰期)对大亚湾大碓鱼类深水网箱区、外围区(网箱外0.1 km)和非养殖区(网箱外10~15 km)的海水和沉积环境进行了调查,采用有机污染指数(A)法、营养状态质量指数(NQI)法对水环境进行评价,用潜在生态危害指数(RI)法对表层沉积物重金属潜在生态危害进行评价。结果显示,与传统网箱养殖化学需氧量(COD)由网箱区中心向四周递减的趋势不同,深水网箱养殖CODMn浓度在3个区域间无显著性差异。深水网箱养殖海域水质较好(A1),水质处于贫营养水平(NQI2)。深水网箱养殖海域表层沉积物重金属铅(Pb)和锌(Zn)含量均符合第一类海洋沉积物质量标准,但铜(Cu)和镉(Cd)含量轻微超标。沉积环境处于轻微生态危害状态(Eir30,RI100),与中国同类型海区相比,污染危害程度相对并不严重。深水网箱养鱼对周围海域环境的影响较小。     

南太湖入湖口蓝藻生物量与氮营养因子的年变化特征以及相关性研究

为了解南太湖水域近年来水质状况,以及蓝藻生物量与氨氮和总氮之间的变化规律,实验采用统计学方法,对南太湖水域3个入湖口(小梅港、新塘港、大钱港)水质中蓝藻生物量、氨氮和总氮的年变化特征进行了调查;使用SPSS10.0中的Bivariate(pcarson)软件对蓝藻生物量与氨氮和总氮的相关性进行了分析。结果表明:(1)南太湖入湖口蓝藻生物量一般有两个高位期,一个是在每年5—6月,另一个在每年的9—10月;(2)南太湖入湖口的总氮浓度处于富营养水平,并有向重富营养化发展的迹象;(3)蓝藻生物量与氨氮浓度的相关性系数r介于0.102～0.290,呈现不相关;(4)2008—2009年蓝藻生物量与总氮浓度的相关系数r介于0.010～0.210,呈现不相关;2010年蓝藻生物量与总氮浓度的相关系数r介于0.430～0.474,呈现低度负相关。结果说明南太湖入湖口的氮营养盐已经不容忽视,湖泊中氨氮和总氮浓度升高,将为蓝藻的繁殖生长提供条件,蓝藻一旦暴发,氨氮和总氮浓度反而迅速降低,在南太湖水域蓝藻生物量与氨氮和总氮浓度之间存在一定的此消彼长规律。     

Effects of organic effluents from a salmon farm on a fjord system. I. Vertical export and dispersal processes

Vertical flux of organic waste from a Norwegian salmon farm (which produced 2910 tonnes of fish in 19 months) located in 230-m-deep water was measured nine times in the course of 2 years by sediment traps along a transect stretching from the farm and 3 km out towards the sea. The chemical composition of the trapped material and the sediment below the traps were analyzed. The results showed that when the fish farm was empty, sedimentation rates of organic matter were similar all along the transect. Throughout the production cycle high and very variable sedimentation rates of particulate organic matter, particulate organic carbon and particulate organic nitrogen were measured within 250 m from the farm, while between 550 and 3000 m away from the farm sedimentation rates were lower and constant throughout the cycle. During the second year of production, the annual vertical flux of particulate organic carbon to the bottom adjacent to the farm was 365 g m^− 2, nine times as high as what was found 3 km away from the farm. While the sedimentation rates showed that most of the waste matter settled within 250 m of the farm, the fatty acid composition and δ¹³C isotope ratio of the material in the bottom traps indicate that some components of the organic waste were transported as far as 550 to 900 m, probably due to resuspension of surface sediment. Despite the high sedimentation rates the content of sedimentary organic matter, total organic carbon and total organic nitrogen was not elevated in the sediment around the farm. However, phosphorus was found in higher concentrations in the sediments close to the farm, indicating that organic matter had settled on the sediment and been decomposed. The unchanged content of organic matter in the sediment during the production cycle showed that at this site the local resuspension and dispersal conditions and the decomposition capacity of the benthos were sufficient to prevent overloading of the locality.     

三沙湾大黄鱼网箱养殖衍生有机物的沉降特征

为了解三沙湾大黄鱼（）网箱养殖衍生有机物（AOM）的沉降特征,采用原位实验方法,收集区域内使用颗粒饲料和冰鲜饵料两种典型饲喂方式下距离网箱200 m范围内AOM样品,分析其沉降量、营养物质[颗粒有机物（POM）、颗粒有机碳（POC）、颗粒态氮（PN）、总磷（TP）]沉降通量和扩散特点。研究结果表明,饲喂颗粒饲料状态下AOM沉降量显著高于投喂冰鲜饵料,两者均值分别为（563.66±119.18）g/（m²·d）和（266.07±139.15）g/（m²·d）。POM、POC、PN和TP沉降通量在两种饲喂方式下的差异与之相似,饲喂颗粒饲料时各参数均值分别为（27.25±2.43）g/（m²·d）、（6.03±0.58）g/（m²·d）、（0.66±0.06）g/（m²·d）和（0.39±0.04）g/（m²·d）;饲喂冰鲜饵料时各参数均值分别为（13.04±1.62）g/（m²·d）,（3.57±0.45）g/（m²·d）、（0.51±0.06）g/（m²·d）和（0.22±0.04）g/（m²·d）。沿近底层海流主导流向距离养殖网箱100 m的空间范围内,AOM沉降量和营养物质沉降通量均呈现自网箱处递减的变化特征,下降程度在饲喂冰鲜饵料时尤为显著。AOM中POC、PN和TP含量在饲喂冰鲜饵料时较高,在距离养殖网箱50 m范围内呈现递减趋势。综上,在三沙湾大黄鱼网箱养殖过程中,投喂颗粒饲料引发的环境污染程度高于冰鲜饵料,两种情形下的AOM沉降影响主要限于距离养殖网箱50~100 m的空间范围。三沙湾内饲喂颗粒饲料引发较高营养物质沉降通量源于较大的AOM沉降量,此现象说明养殖过程中可能存在颗粒饲料过度投喂、饵料利用效率较低等问题,围绕此类问题的针对性研究对于减缓区域内养殖活动的环境影响具有重要意义。     

卫河新乡段底泥-间隙水-上覆水中营养盐的分布特征

为研究卫河新乡市区河段底泥-间隙水-上覆水中营养盐的时空分布特征,分别于2013年1、4、7、10月对卫河新乡段上游（S1）、人口密集区（S2）、人工拓宽河道形成的牧野湖入湖水口（S3）、湖岸静水区（S4）、湖心处（S5）和湖区下游（S6）共计6个样点进行采样分析。结果表明：（1）S1和S2底泥中总氮（TN）、氨氮（NH4+-N）含量呈现随深度增加而上升的趋势,除S3外,各样点底泥中总磷（TP）含量的垂向分布在15～20 cm处比表层含量低,但并无明显规律性;（2）S2、S3、S4样点在4月时底泥(干重)中的TN含量达到最大值,分别为5.8、2.2、1.7 g/kg,10月时TP含量达到最大值,分别为0.88、0.22、0.21 g/kg,除S3号样点外,其余各样点底泥NH4+-N的含量均在7月出现最大值,按样点号依次为25.42、37.19、14.23、12.28、34.11 mg/kg;（3）间隙水中TN和NH4+-N含量的垂向分布与底泥中的分布相似,间隙水和底泥中的TN、NH4+-N之间呈显著的正相关,TP之间无明显相关性;（4）间隙水和上覆水中的各营养盐之间均无明显相关性。     

Effects of sea cage salmon farming on sediment nitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reductions

Within a few months of the establishment of a sea cage salmon farm in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, sediment physical and chemical characteristics reflected the extremely high sedimentation rate immediately underneath the fish cages. In the surface sediment, dry weight was reduced to about one-third, density was halved and the volatile solids content increased about seven-fold compared with nearby sediments. Similarly, the sediment pools of ammonium, organic N and total phosphorus were much higher underneath the cages than at farther removed sites. The total N/P ratios were the same (1.5) in the surface sediment underneath the cages and in the feed but markedly higher in the less affected areas. In situ nitrification and denitrification were not measurable in the immediate vicinity of the salmon farm. The potentials for nitrification and denitrification gradually increased from virtually nil underneath the fish cages to commonly observed rates about 30 m from the cages. The complete absence of denitrifying enzymes in the salmon farm sediment to a depth of 6 cm explained why nitrate diffusing from the water column into the sediment was not denitrified. Within 10 m of the fish cages the bulk of added ¹⁵N-nitrate was reduced to ¹⁵N-ammonium. The results demonstrate that nitrification/denitrification in the immediate vicinity of a sea cage fish farm is not a significant mechanism of N removal.