Heavy metal concentrations and sediment quality of a cage farm on Lake Volta,Ghana

This study involved the determination of sediment quality and heavy metals in the water column and bottom sediment of a selected cage fish farm in Lake Volta, to assess the potential impact of metals and organic matter pollution on the lake due to cage fish farming. Sediment analysis indicated that the texture of all sampling sites was sandy clay loam with sand dominating with a range of 31.5%–81.2%. The organic matter (TOM) ranged from 4.42%–8.89%, while organic carbon (TOC) was from 2.57%–5.22%. Total nitrogen (TN) fluctuated between 0.22% and 0.45%; total phosphate ranged between 0.22% and 5.30%. The TOC, TOM and TN content in the farm sediment were significantly lower than those of the reference sites (ANOVA, p < .05). Lead, copper, cadmium and selenium were not detected in the water. The results revealed that heavy metal concentrations in the water column and sediments were low and within tolerable levels, indicating no influence of metals from fish feed was observed on the lake water quality. However, the farm seemed to have moderate impact on sediment quality from organic matter. Water and sediment quality monitoring should be embarked upon periodically to ensure sustainable cage culture in the Lake Volta.     

Benthic microbial indicators of fish farm impact in a coastal area of the Tyrrhenian Sea

We studied the impact of organic loads due to the biodeposition of a fish farm in a non-impacted coastal area of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean). Sediment chemistry and benthic microbial community were investigated from July 1997 to February 1998 on monthly basis at two stations: one was located under the fish farm, while the second was about 1 km away, and served as a reference site. The presence of the cage induced rapid changes in the benthic conditions: the sediments were rapidly (after 6 weeks) reduced. A significant accumulation of biopolymeric carbon was observed beneath the cage both 2 weeks after the initial cage deployment, on non-impacted sediments, and 5–7 months after, and appeared to be related to the fish farm production cycle. The density of microbial communities beneath the fish farm increased only during the first month of farming activity (July) and partially 7 months after cage disposal (i.e. in January), when there was a significant sediment organic enrichment. Additional evidence of rapid impact of the fish farm on the benthic bacterial communities is provided by the increase in the numbers of autofluorescent microbial cells. The photosynthetic eukaryotic cells displayed a highly reduced contribution to total autofluorescent microbial density, indicating that their decrease is related with biopolymeric carbon accumulation, and probably was due also to “shadow effect” induced by suspended material, coming from the fish farm, on the environment below. We propose here, to apply the ratio of culturable heterotrophic bacteria to microbial direct counts (CFU/MDC) to detect fish farm impact. In cage sediments, organic enrichment and the consequent modification of the characteristics of the benthic environment, determined an increase in aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and vibrio density indicating that they are efficient colonizers of organic-rich sediments. Densities of Escherichia coli and Enterococci were not significantly higher than in the reference site, and are likely of terrestrial origin. Thus they cannot be used as specific indicators of fish farm impact.     

Simultaneous occurrence of Vibrio salmonicida and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in sediments at abandoned aquaculture sites

Abstract. The present authors have examined the survival of the fish pathogenic bacterium Vibrio salmonidda and the occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in sediments from abandoned aquaculture sites. Survival of V. salmonidda was determined by fluorescent monoclonal antibody labelling combined with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Using this method, the authors were able to detect V. salmonidda in sediment samples from six out of 12 abandoned fish farm locations. One out of the six positive stations was abandoned in 1982. Vibrio salmonidda was not detected at the three stations not affected by aquaculture (control locations) or in sediment samples taken 200–250m away from aqua-culture sites. When applying high-performance liquid chromatography, oxytctracyclinc or furazolidonc residues were not detected in sediment samples from control or abandoned aquaculture sites. Nevertheless, the percentage of bacteria resistant to oxytctracycline was higher in aquaculture sediments, as compared to control sediments. The simultaneous occurrence of fish pathogens and high levels of resistant bacteria in sediments increases the risk of transfer of resistance to the pathogens.     

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.     

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。     

大鹏澳海水鱼类网箱养殖对水环境的影响

根据2001~2002年对大亚湾大鹏澳海水鱼类网箱养殖海域水环境的监测资料,分析讨论了网箱养殖对水环境的影响。结果表明,该海域水环境质量较好,除夏季溶解氧(DO)和春季的硫化物浓度超第二类海水水质标准情况较严重外(超标率均为62.5%),其他水环境因子一般不超标。养殖区DO和叶绿素a(Chla)浓度均显著低于对照区(t-test,P<0.05),而NH4-N和PO4-P浓度则一般高于对照区,其他水环境因子的空间分布差异不大。海水CODMn、BOD5和硫化物主要与网箱养鱼生产季节性强的特点有关;而水温、盐度、透明度、悬浮物、DO和pH的季节变化主要受控于大亚湾亚热带季风气候,NO2-N、NO3-N、DIN、PO4-P和SiO4-Si等营养因子的季节变化主要受降雨和浮游植物的影响,Chla的季节变化则主要受水温和N:P比的影响,与网箱养鱼的关系并不明显。     

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.     

Relationship between feed input and sediment quality of the fish cage farms

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to examine the variation in fish farm sediment quality with varying organic carbon input in the form of feed. In order to elucidate the seasonal variation in farm sediment quality, relation between seasonal organic carbon input, temperature and sediment quality was studied. The sediment ignition loss, redox potential and acid volatile sulfide sulfur (AVS-S) content showed a correlation with annual organic carbon input. The seasonal AVS-S content showed a significant correlation with the seasonal organic carbon input as well as temperature. Multiple regression analysis revealed that both of these factors explicated 80% of the seasonal variation in AVS-S content. Although redox conditions of the sediment could also be correlated with both the organic carbon input and temperature, the latter seemed to have a greater control. Thus, the farm sediment quality could be directly related to the annual organic carbon input to the fish farm under similar hydrographic conditions. Acid volatile sulfide sulfur content exhibited a significant correlation with both the annual as well as the seasonal organic carbon input. Therefore, AVS-S content proved to be a fairly simple and better indicator for monitoring the fish farm environment for effective farm management and sustainable aquaculture. Importance of size of pellets as a factor affecting the feed input-sediment quality relation is also demonstrated in the present study.     

Aquacultureagriculture systems integration: an Australian prospective

The concept of integrating aquaculture with irrigated farming systems was evaluated in three projects in the GoulburnMurray Irrigation District (GMID) in south-eastern Australia. (1) Semi-intensive cage culture trials using silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell), were undertaken in a range of irrigated farming systems: irrigation supply channels; groundwater supplies; and on-farm storage dams. Survival and growth of fish under these conditions were comparable to fish reared in conventional aquaculture ponds. However, poor water quality at some sites reduced survival and growth. (2) A study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of the cage culture of silver perch and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in three irrigation water storage reservoirs. Conditions within each reservoir, particularly water quality, wind and wave action, and cage fouling, varied considerably, and influenced fish growth and survival. (3) Mariculture trials were undertaken in two saline groundwater evaporation basins, which were part of an integrated agriforestry and salt reclamation system. The species tested included two oyster, two prawn and nine fish species. Some species exhibited exceptional survival and growth rates under trial conditions. These projects indicate that the concept of integrating aquaculture with existing irrigated farming systems has the potential to enhance productivity, water use efficiency and overall environmental sustainability in the GMID.     

哑铃湾网箱养殖海区表层沉积物磷的含量特征

在哑铃湾不同养殖历史网箱下、距离网箱50m和100m以及对照海区共布设8个采样点,于2002年4月~2003年1月分四季采集表层沉积物样品,对沉积物中总磷、无机磷和有机磷进行了测定,分析了调查区磷的空间分布和季节变化特征。结果表明:哑铃湾海水养殖网箱下沉积物磷含量明显高于对照点,沉积物中总磷是对照点的3.71~9.99倍。养殖历史越长,沉积物中的磷含量越高;网箱养殖引起的沉积物磷累积仅限于网箱下及距离网箱50m范围内,对距离100m以外的海区影响较小;沉积物中的无机磷占70%以上,以无机磷为主;养殖历史较长的东升村养殖区沉积物磷的季节变化明显,有机磷的变化与养殖活动密切相关。     

象山港三种不同养殖方式对浮游动物群落的影响

为探究不同营养类型养殖方式对半封闭海湾浮游生态系统的影响,于2015年在象山港的鱼类网箱养殖、牡蛎筏式养殖和海带筏式养殖3种养殖区内外分别进行大、中型和中、小型浮游动物群落及相关环境因子的四季研究。结果显示,牡蛎养殖区内大、中型浮游动物群落结构变化明显,夏、秋季优势种太平洋纺锤水蚤的优势度下降,冬季优势种腹针胸刺水蚤的优势度上升;网箱养殖区内浮游动物群落变化不明显,变化主要为大、中型浮游动物优势种,春、冬季腹针胸刺水蚤的优势度下降,秋季优势种种类组成变化明显;海带养殖区内浮游动物群落和优势种变化均不明显。此外,3种养殖方式对浮游动物的生物量、丰度和α多样性均未产生明显影响。结合象山港的水文特征和养殖区内外的环境因子,研究表明,牡蛎养殖区浮游动物群落变化是牡蛎滤食行为和铁港水交换能力差的综合结果,而浮游动物优势种变化可能与水体总磷含量较高有关;因目前网箱养殖规模小且西沪港水动力条件较好,网箱区内局部环境和浮游动物的变化较小;海带养殖因面积小且仅春、冬季养殖,不足以对水质和浮游动物产生影响。此外,本研究显示不同环境中,大、中型浮游动物群落结构的变异较中、小型浮游动物明显,这可能与中、小型浮游动物群落的稳定性较高有关。     

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.     

Bacterial community structure and activity in fish farm sediments of the Ligurian sea (Western Mediterranean)

The environmental impact of a well-established fish farm has beeninvestigated in surface sediments of the Ligurian Sea in order to assess thebiodeposition, bacterial community structure and dynamics at a mature stage oforganic enrichment.The Biopolymeric carbon (BPC) fraction of organic matter and phytopigmentconcentrations displayed very high values beneath the fish cages. In particularlipid, carbohydrate and chlorophyll-a concentrations werehigher in farm sediment while protein concentrations did not show significantchange between farm sediment and control.Benthic bacteria were closely related to organic enrichment and their densitywas three times higher (up to 3 × 10¹⁰ cellsg^–1) in stations beneath the cages being positivelycorrelated with BPC (n = 10, p < 0.05) and lipid (n = 10, p < 0.05)concentrations. Colony forming units (CFU) counts of heterotrophic bacteriaindicate a shift in the relative importance of the gram negative bacterialfraction, displaying the predominance of theCytophaga/Flexibacter-like bacteria (CBF), as well as theoccurrence of pathogenic bacteria (such as Vibrio) insediments beneath the farm. In contrast, Gram positive bacteria were moreprevalent in control site where they represented up to 90% of total isolates.Aminopeptidase activity displayed higher values in sediment beneath the cages,whereas the enzymatic activity per bacterial cell was lower. These data suggesta functional stress of bacterial degradation rates and represent a potentialvaluable environmental index of imbalance between supply and removal of organicmatter in eutrophicated environments.Data presented in this study also suggest that either the biochemicalcomposition of sedimentary organic matter as well as the selected microbialvariables may represent useful tools for evaluating the effects of organicenrichment due to fish farming and could be proposed as new environmentalindices of aquaculture impact on marine sediment.     

Diet of demersal fish species in relation to aquaculture development in Scottish sea lochs

The diets of demersal fish, principally haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and several flatfish species, sampled from four Scottish sea lochs (Hourn, Kishorn, Duich and Nevis) which support aquaculture sites, were examined in order to determine whether the impact of aquaculture on benthic biodiversity would affect the diets of demersal fish. Loch Kishorn had the highest maximum planned aquaculture production, loch Nevis follows and lochs Hourn and Duich have the lowest planned production. Samples were collected from locations less than and more than 2000 m from fish farm cages. Fish close to the fish farm cages were on average of greater individual weight than those further away from fish farms. Haddock ate predominantly Malacostracan crustacea, Ophiurid echinoderms and Polychaete annelids; whiting ate predominantly Malacostracan crustacea and teleost fish and flatfish ate Malacostracan crustacea, Polychaete annelids and Ophiurid echinoderms. A small number of saithe sampled had eaten mainly fish farm pellets. Dietary variation in each species was analysed in relation to loch, proximity to aquaculture facilities and fish size. Diet of whiting varied with body size. Dietary differences were observed between the lochs and between sites close to and far from farms in two lochs although these differences cannot be specifically attributed to aquaculture development. Controlling for differences between individual lochs, proximity to aquaculture facilities did not consistently affect diet composition.     

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。     

Microbiological indicators for aquaculture impact in Mar Piccolo (Taranto, Italy)

The mussel and fish-farming impact was investigated both in pelagic and sediment environments of Mar Piccolo in Taranto. We studied the yearly distribution of microbiological indicators (heterotrophic bacteria and coliforms), in relation to physical and chemical parameters of surface water at three different sites, characterized by mussel farms, fish cages and Citro springs. The heterotrophic bacteria and Clostridium perfrigens distribution were also examined in relation to organic content and granulometry of sediments. The urban sewages affected the quality of waters of the mussel site, by increasing faecal coliforms in the entire basin during summer. In the benthonic environment the aquaculture activity increased the bio-deposition of the sediment, causing changes in the abundance and the composition (heterotrophic bacteria/clostridia ratio) of microflora. A significant increase of heterotrophic bacteria in the warm season was observed. The clostridia proved to be a good indicator of impact of organic matter because they were significantly higher in the sites than the control stations.     

Monitoring the environmental impacts and consent compliance of freshwater fish farms

Strategies for monitoring the chemical and biological impacts of freshwater land-based and cage fish farms in the West of Scotland are described and the results of monitoring are presented. The compliance of land-based farms with discharge consents is discussed. The impact of fish farming on receiving water chemistry was found to be limited, but effects on benthic invertebrate communities in both running waters and lochs were more readily detectable, although generally localized in the immediate vicinity of the farm. The benthic fauna of a stream receiving wastes from a land-based farm recovered within 19 months of the discharge ceasing. At a vacated cage site in a loch, severe impact on the sediments was still evident after more than 3 years. Problems in monitoring for consent compliance are discussed and the need for closer liaison between the industry and regulatory bodies is emphasized.     

Ecological footprint for assessment of resource use and development limitations in shrimp and tilapia aquaculture

We review estimates of the spatial ecosystem support required to run a typical semi-intensive shrimp farm in a coastal mangrove area in Carribean Colombia, and to produce food inputs and process wastes for large-scale industrially managed tilapia cage culture and small-scale, semi-intensive tilapia pond farming in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. The tilapia farming is discussed in relation to the pelagic kapenta, Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger), fishery and to inshore fisheries in the Lake. The results show that a semi-intensive shrimp farm needs a spatial ecosystem support—the ecological footprint—35 to 190 times the surface area of the pond, mainly mangrove area. Based on the analysis, we conclude that shrimp farming in Colombia is already utilizing close to the full support capacity of its coastal environment. In intensive tilapia cage farming, the ecological footprint for feed production is 10 000 times larger than the area of the cages. In contrast, a tilapia pond farm maintained on offals from fisheries, agriculture and households depends very little on external ecosystem areas. As long as there is a direct market for human consumption of all kapenta caught in the Lake, fish cage farming based on fish meal from kapenta would be doubtful from ethical, ecological as well as resource management points of view, even if it was economically feasible.     

Assessment of the removal efficiency of fish farm effluents by grey mullets: a nutritional approach

A field study was carried out to assess the use of the bottom‐feeding grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) within benthic enclosures as a means to reduce the benthic impacts of a net cage fish farm in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Five experimental 1‐m³ net‐cage enclosures were stocked with 12 grey mullets each (fish weights 50, 70 or 144 g). The enclosures had no bottom and the mullets had access to the enclosed organically enriched sediments and to particulate matter (PM) falling from the overlying cages. Sediment traps were used to quantify and qualify the PM falling from the fish farm to the sea floor. Simultaneously, a feeding trial was performed with mullets (50 and 70 g) in experimental tanks. In order to estimate the potential growth rate and to quantify energy and protein requirements, the fish were fed a formulated diet with known composition. After approximately 70 days at sea, mullets in the enclosures had used up all the available food in the sediment and gained up to 0.78 g day^?1 fish^?1. Applying the values for energy and protein requirements for maintenance and growth derived from the experimental trial, estimates indicated that the grey mullets effectively removed 4.2 g organic carbon, 0.70 g nitrogen and 7.5 mg phosphorus kg^?1 mullet m^?2 day^?1 from the organically enriched sediment. Thus deployment of grey mullets may be an efficient means to improve the quality of sediments below intensive net‐cage fish farms.     

我国离岸养殖工程发展策略

发展离岸养殖工程对于保障水产品供给、开发蓝色国土资源、实现海洋水域资源的合理利用与有效开发具有重大意义。本文阐述了我国网箱养殖工程发展现状和面临的主要问题,介绍了国外在深水抗风浪网箱和养殖工船方面的研发进展,指出未来离岸养殖工程发展趋势是养殖设施系统大型化、养殖环境生态化、养殖地域外向化、养殖过程低碳化,提出了我国离岸养殖工程发展战略目标是:至2020年,全面形成面向深海、合理分布于主权海域的海上水产品养殖生产与流通体系,实现海洋渔业由"捕"向"养"的根本性转变,建立领先于世界的工业化蓝色农业生产体系。