Metal leaching and toxicity of denitrifying woodchip bioreactor outflow—Potential reuse application

The denitrifying woodchip bioreactor is designed to remediate nitrate-rich water, including those produced from aquaculture effluents. Reuse of treated bioreactor outflows in recirculating aquaculture would offer considerable water savings and valuable alkalinity recuperation. However, such bioreactors may leach detrimental wood-bound contaminants, preventing outflow reuse. To determine water reuse potential, woodchip media from two hardwood species (white ash, Fraxinus americana; Norway maple, Acer platanoides) were evaluated for 206 d under a range of operating conditions (start-up, steady-state, reducing conditions, and drying-rewetting cycles) for a spectrum of potentially harmful dissolved contaminants. Aerated outflows also were evaluated for acute and chronic toxicity to the biologically sensitive invertebrate Ceriodaphnia dubia. Dissolved metal leaching subsided within the first few weeks of operation, though initial concentrations of copper and zinc were detected at concentrations of concern. Elevated concentrations of tannins-lignin and total ammonia nitrogen were detected throughout the study and were influenced by operational phase. Acute toxicity was not generally detected, though chronic toxicity was observed during drying-rewetting cycles in the maple outflows. The measured toxicity was not correlated with water chemistry, indicating an additive effect of several toxicants. Overall, significant differences in outflow water quality between ash and maple wood species were negligible. Results indicated that bioreactor outflows may be applicable for aquacultural reuse, though reusing outflows immediately following start-up or restarting after a dry period would not be recommended.     

Substrate composition determines emergence success and development of European nase larvae (Chondrostoma nasus L.)

European nase (Chondrostoma nasus) is a specialist riverine fish, characterised by a complex life cycle making it vulnerable to habitat degradation. Recent findings indicate that, analogously to salmonids, the interstitial zone quality may pose a serious bottleneck for successful recruitment of this species. In this study, nase eggs were exposed to different substrate qualities. First, standardised substrate mixtures with differing fine sediment additions were used. Second, we tested different homogenous gravel fractions for their influence on egg development and emergence success. In both setups, substrate composition significantly affected emergence success, timing of emergence and larvae size at emergence. In the substrate mixtures, emergence was most successful in substratum with no fine sediment addition (98%) and decreased to 55% in substratum with 20% fine sediment addition. Emergence was most successful in the coarsest fraction (93%) and decreased to 47% in the finest fraction. Over all treatments, the time between hatching and emergence from substrate differed by up to 156 degree days, thereby indicating that free embryos of nase use the shelter of the interstitial zone for early ontogeny. These results suggest that a loose and porous stream bed can positively contribute to the development success of eggs and larvae and thereby potentially improve the recruitment of nase populations. It is thus important to consider the substrate and interstitial conditions in the conservation and restoration management of this rheophilic cyprinid.     

Hydrodynamic method for estimating production carrying capacity of coastal finfish cage aquaculture in Southeast Asia

This paper presents the development of a simple and generally applicable hydrodynamic method for the estimation of production carrying capacity (PCC) of coastal finfish cage aquaculture. Dimensional analysis was used to find significant and general interdependencies between the hydrodynamics at fish farm locations and particulate wastes deposited on the seafloor by fish farms. Modeled ratios of deposition to emission of particulate wastes underneath fish farms were found to be primarily a function of the flow Reynolds numbers at the farming locations and the non-dimensional settling velocity of emitted wastes. In the non-dimensional model, farming conditions include daily feed rate, proportion of unconsumed feed, and carbon content in feed and fish feces. The relationship can be used to estimate the PCC of floating net cages imposing a threshold value for deposition. Results of in-situ assessments of the benthic impacts of several fish farms in an aquaculture site in the northwest of Bali, Indonesia were used to validate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Predicted results were able to clearly identify fish farms operating beyond ecologically sustainable carrying capacity. The proposed method has broad applicability and could help make decisions regarding the estimation of production potential of individual farms in pristine areas, for providing first estimates in sites that have scarce data, and for assessment, expansion, and optimization of the currently operating aquaculture sites in Southeast Asia, China and potentially other data-poor island nations. As the method relies on dynamic models, it enables straightforward assessments over the entire aquaculture region.     

Dietary β‐carotene improves growth performance and antioxidant status of juvenile Piaractus mesopotamicus

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary synthetic β‐carotene on growth performance, haematological and immunological parameters, energy reserves and antioxidant status of juvenile fish Piaractus mesopotamicus. Two hundred and ten fish (12.24 ± 2.98 g) were fed with a control extruded feed (CEF) and the same diet supplemented with β‐carotene (BEF) for 90 days. A higher weight gain and specific growth rate were found in fish fed BEF in comparison with those fed CEF. In addition, BEF‐fed fish showed lower liver somatic index and a higher percentage of eosinophils. No statistical differences were found in energy reserves, except for plasma triglycerides which decreased in fish fed with BEF. Regarding oxidative stress markers, decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes were found in intestine and gills of BEF‐fed fish (SOD and GST, respectively). In the liver, both LPO levels and CAT activity decreased in fish fed with BEF. Additionally, lower brain LPO levels without changes in the antioxidant enzymes were observed in BEF‐fed fish. The inclusion of dietary synthetic β‐carotene improved growth and antioxidant status, and had a plasma triglyceride‐lowering effect in juvenile P. mesopotamicus.     

Aurantiochytrium sp. meal as DHA source in Nile tilapia diet,part II: Body fatty acid retention and muscle fatty acid profile

Nile tilapia juveniles (8.35 ± 0.80 g) were fed on four levels (0.0%; 0.5%; 1.0%; 2.0%, 4.0%) of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal (ALL‐G‐RICH?), a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The 1% Aurantiochytrium sp. meal diet was compared to a control diet, which contained the same amount of DHA as cod liver oil (CLO) at 1.7% diet. Groups of 25 fish were stocked in 100 L tanks and fed twice daily until apparent satiation, for 57 days, at 28°C. Increasing dietary Aurantiochytrium sp. meal reduced the body retention of DHA and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) but increased the body retention of alpha‐linolenic (α‐LNA), linoleic (LOA) and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 PUFA). Fatty acid profile in tilapia muscle was affected by increasing dietary inclusions of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal, with an increase in DHA, α‐LNA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐3 long chain‐polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 LC‐PUFA) but a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), n‐6 PUFA and n‐6 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 LC‐PUFA). There was a larger body retention of DHA, α‐LNA, LOA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐6 PUFA fatty acids and a higher percentage of DHA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐3 LC‐PUFA in muscle fatty acid profile in fish fed on CLO diets than in those fed on 1% Aurantiochytrium sp. Therefore, Aurantiochytrium sp. meal is an alternative source of DHA for Nile tilapia diets.     

Dietary nucleotides enhance growth performance,feed efficiency and intestinal functional topography in European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Nucleotides, nucleosides and nucleic acids (NU) have many critical functions in supporting life and increasing evidence suggests that exogenous supply can benefit the health of mammals and fish. For these reasons, a 6‐week feeding trial was conducted on juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with diets containing 0%, 0.15% and 0.3% inclusion of a NU mixture (Laltide^®) derived from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At the end of the study no significant differences were found in fish performance, although a tendency towards better performance was indicated in fish fed the Nu0.3 diet. In relation to histological assessment, a significantly greater perimeter ratio; internal to outer (IP/OP) was observed in the posterior intestine of fish fed supplemental NU. Microvilli heights in the posterior intestine were also shown to be significantly promoted in fish fed NU diets (p < 0.05). Goblet cell abundance was shown to be unaffected by the inclusion of NU in the diet (p > 0.05). Overall, this study indicates that orally administered NU may be effective promoters of gut functional topography with marginal associated improvements to fish performance. Nonetheless, longer exposure and/or commercial scale application, and in diets that were challenging in use of high inclusion levels of plant by‐products would potentially amplify improvements in production characteristics, in turn benefiting fish culturists.     

2000年来中国水产养殖发展趋势和方向

中国是世界最大的水产养殖国家，为全球粮食安全和营养供应做出了重要贡献。在新的社会发展阶段，中国水产养殖需要解决与粮食安全、减贫和提供就业、食品安全和环境保护等相关的复杂且敏感的问题，以期达到更加可持续地发展。本文系统综述了2000年来中国水产养殖发展趋势、存在问题和发展方向。中国水产养殖业自2000年以来获得了持续的发展，集约化水平不断提高，新增的特种养殖品种使得产业多样化水平增加，一些传统的养殖模式逐渐消失，而新的养殖技术和模式不断涌现。中国水产养殖的变化和发展响应了社会发展对水产养殖业的需求。然而中国水产养殖目前仍面临诸如生态环境、科技水平、产品供应结构、小农生产和政策风险等亟待解决的问题。随着中国社会发展和经济水平不断进步，发展水产养殖的主要侧重点也逐渐从提供食物到提供就业和发展经济，再到环境保护和食品安全。中国水产养殖业需要充分利用最新的设施装备技术、信息技术、遗传育种技术、营养饲料和病害防治技术促进水产养殖业发展，努力提高水产养殖业规模化和组织化，促进渔业“一、二、三产”协同发展，并在新形势下逐渐走向国际化和可持续发展的道路。     

多营养层次生态养殖模式简析

系统介绍了多营养层次生态养殖模式在淡水养殖及海水养殖中的应用与发展,对比了国内外有关该养殖模式发展方向的异同,简述了该养殖模式通过提高物质和空间利用率、改善养殖环境的原理以及在我国推广应用情况,并汇总了我国沿海省份近年来开展该养殖模式选用的品种搭配及产量产值。指出了多营养层次生态养殖模式还存在的问题,对今后发展提出了建议。     

连续模拟降雨下岩溶区含砾石堆积体坡面径流产沙特征

为明确砾石含量对岩溶区石灰土质堆积体坡面径流产沙特征的影响,以土质坡面为对照,采用室内模拟降雨试验方法,研究了递增型降雨(0.5,1.0,2.0,2.5,3.0 mm/min)条件下偏土质(砾石含量30%)和偏石质(砾石含量70%)石灰土坡面的径流特性及侵蚀特征。结果表明:(1)随雨强增大,各坡面径流率呈稳定增长—波动的变化趋势,且土质坡面径流率整体小于2种含砾石坡面;偏土质、偏石质坡面累计产流量较土质坡面增加了0.49,0.37倍;(2)1.0~3.0 mm/min雨强下,土质坡面侵蚀速率在0.16~5.4 g/(m^2·s)范围内波动,整体呈稳定—波动增加的变化趋势;偏土质和偏石质坡面分别为0.16~5.4,0.06~0.74 g/(m^2·s),前者侵蚀速率变化范围大且波动剧烈,后者变化范围小且稳定;随砾石含量的增加,各坡面累计侵蚀量呈先增后减的变化趋势,偏土质坡面侵蚀量较土质坡面增加2.5倍,偏石质坡面较其减少了0.9倍;(3)土质、偏土质和偏石质坡面的侵蚀速率与径流率分别呈极显著正相关幂函数、线性函数和线性函数关系。研究结果可为桂西北岩溶区弃渣场水土流失治理提供一定的科学依据。     

降雨类型与坡度对棕壤垄沟系统产流产沙的影响

为深入理解棕壤垄作坡耕地的土壤侵蚀机理,利用1.60 m×0.53 m的试验土槽,设计2个降雨类型,即增强型(70～70～100～100 mm/h)和减弱型(100～100～70～70 mm/h),以及2个坡度(9°和18°)的人工模拟降雨试验。每个雨型分2个阶段(阶段I、阶段II),每个阶段进行相同雨强的2个场次降雨,每个场次降雨历时20 min。结果表明:(1)雨强对径流量呈显著影响(P0.05),100 mm/h雨强下的径流量70 mm/h时的径流量。在减弱型雨型下,坡度对径流量影响显著(P0.05),而增强型雨型下在不同阶段坡度对径流量的影响不同。(2)雨强对产沙量的影响显著(P0.05),在阶段Ⅰ降雨中,100 mm/h雨强下9°和18°坡面的平均每分钟产沙量分别为70 mm/h雨强下的23.98,9.07倍。在70 mm/h雨强下,坡度对产沙量的影响显著(P0.05),而100 mm/h雨强下不同阶段坡度对径流量的影响具有差异性。(3)100 mm/h雨强在不同雨型中出现的时序对产沙量影响不显著(P0.05);在70 mm/h雨强下,产沙量整体较小,基本在15 g/min以下。同一雨强在不同雨型中的时序对径流量均存在显著影响(P0.05)。(4)总径流量从大到小依次为:9°减弱型18°减弱型9°增强型18°增强型;总产沙量从大到小依次为:18°增强型18°减弱型9°减弱型9°增强型。不同雨型下,雨强发生改变后,累计径流量和累计产沙量增加速率和雨强的改变具有一致性。