Effects of marine fish farming on nutrient composition and plankton communities in the Eastern Aegean Sea (Turkey)

The hypothesis that the presence of fish farming zones affects the water quality and plankton communities was investigated in an Aegean Sea fish farm during February, June, September and January 2000–2001. In the spatial coverage, a total of 12 stations were sampled; three of them were reference stations. A variance analysis was applied to the measurements made at the stations near the fish farms and at the control stations. While no significant differences in concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon and particulate organic nitrogen were detected between the stations and the control sites within one season, significant differences were detected between the parameter values measured except for total dissolved phosphorus and dissolved organic phosphorus at different seasons. The seasonal differences were also significant with regard to the biodiversity. Together with these temporal differences in general, there was a higher diversity of species at the control site as compared with the other stations in September, which was the key season to detection of significant changes. The most important consideration is that it is not sufficient to take the instantaneous values for the physico‐chemical variables; rather, it is necessary to monitor the biological parameters in order to define the differences in the ecosystem.     

Growth variations within a farm of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) held near fish cages: importance for the implementation of integrated aquaculture

Fish farming releases extensive amounts of particulate organic waste that can be exploited by bivalves in integrated culture. We tested if mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis cultured at two depths (1 and 6 m) in a raft, moored 170 m from a fish farm had greater growth than bivalves held 550 m from the fish cages. Mussel growth was monitored monthly, covering the second phase of the culture, from thinning‐out to harvest (March to November 2011). We also studied if fish solid and dissolved nutrients increased the organic content of the seston and chlorophyll‐a levels near the fish cages through weekly samples. Results showed no differences in seston, chlorophyll and physiochemical characteristics of the water among rafts. Maximum growth and Condition Index (CI) occurred during spring–summer (April–August), when mussels had access to greater food quality and quantity. Mussels cultivated close to the cages showed similar shell length, weight and CI compared with mussels distant from the fish farm. Average shell length, meat dry weight and CI at harvest were 76.31 mm, 2.51 g and 23%. Bivalves cultured distant from the fish cages displayed 26% higher biomass than the other raft at the end of the experiment. Differences in biomass were explained by the significantly higher recruitment of mussel seed observed at the raft distant from the fish cages from June to November. The lack of a significant enhancement in growth of the bivalves cultured next to finfish is discussed.     

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.     

The significance of various environmental parameters for growth of the Iceland scallop, Chlamys islandica (Pectinidae), in hanging culture

Iceland scallops, Chlamys islandica (O.F. Müller), were grown in hanging culture at 3 different depths (2, 12 and 40 m below the sea surface) in a northern Norwegian fjord. The growth of the soft parts of the body and the shell increment were monitored throughout the growing season (March until September). At the same time, temperature, salinity, water density, current speed, chlorophyll, particulate organic matter (POM) and particulate inorganic matter (PIM) were monitored at each of the experimental depths. Analysis of the environmental data together with the growth data showed that growth differences between the experimental depths were essentially the results of differences in nutritional conditions for the scallops, defined by the relationship between PIM and POM in the water column. The results also showed that growth in Iceland scallops can be increased significantly by suspending the animals in a more favourable nutritional environment than that found on the natural scallop beds.     

Correlation of in situ respiration rates and microbial biomass in prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) ponds

Microbial biomass estimates (based on ATP concentrations) were highly correlated with water and sediment respiration rates in freshwater prawn ponds. Water column biomass-specific respiration rates (x ± 1 SD, 572.4 ± 410.6 μl O₂ μg ATP^?1 day^?1) were higher than sediment rates (11.5 ± 8.1 μl O₂ μg ATP^?1 day^?1). Phytoplankton cells dominated the seston, with nutrient-saturated, light-limited growth in the range 75–80%μ_max. Doubling times of phytoplankton ranged from 0.4–19 days. Measurement of benthic ATP biomass is recommended as a diagnostic water quality parameter for commercial freshwater prawn culture.     

Effect of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), size on phytoplankton filtration rate

Four different‐sized (390±3, 140±2, 40±2, 16±1 g) Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), stocked at the same biomass in timed pulse feeding chambers were provided 27–29°C water dominated by Microcystis (82%) and Scenedesmus (18%) to determine the effect of fish size on filtration rates. The number of Microcystis and Scenedesmus units filtered from the water decreased significantly with increasing tilapia size. The shaping constants and maximum filtration rates for Ivlev's feeding model used to describe the relation between filtration rates and the suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations were significantly different among the four sizes. Filtration rates of 763, 671, 512 and 300 mg C kg^?1 h^?1, which correspond to 70%, 82%, 86% and 90% saturation levels, were achieved at POC levels of 30, 32, 32 and 33 mg C L^?1 for 16, 40, 140 and 390 g Nile tilapia respectively. Smaller tilapia achieved these rates at lower POC concentrations than larger tilapia.     

夏季桑沟湾养殖水域有机碳的平面分布特征及其来源分析

根据2012年8月对桑沟湾养殖海域18个站位取得的溶解有机碳(DOC)、颗粒有机碳(POC)和叶绿素a(Chl-a)数据,基于不同区域的养殖特点,分析了DOC和POC的平面分布特征,并对POC的来源进行了初步探讨。结果表明,整个调查海域表层DOC的浓度范围为1.70～2.82mg/L,平均值为2.03mg/L,大致呈自西向东递减的趋势。表层POC的浓度范围为0.04～1.33mg/L,平均值为0.55mg/L,大致呈自南向北逐渐递增的趋势。网箱养殖区表层DOC和POC含量最高,其次为桑沟湾近岸海域,而海带养殖区最低,这表明有机碳的含量与养殖品种和模式有直接的关系。根据POC/Chl-a比值对POC来源进行初步分析,表明贝类养殖区、海带养殖区、贝藻混养区、桑沟湾近岸海域以及外海对照点的POC主要来自活的浮游植物,而网箱养殖区存在降解的有机物质。     

Diet and Food Assimilation by Channel Catfish and Malaysian Prawns in Polyculture as Determined by Stomach Content Analysis and Stable Carbon Isotope Ratios 1

Stable carbon isotope ratios (?³C) and stomach contents were used to determine the diet of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and freshwater Malaysian prawns (Macrobrachium rosen-bergii) in polyculture. Catfish stomach contents were dominated by formulated rations. Macrophyte fragments and catfish ration were predominate in prawn stomachs. Catfish ?¹³C ratios became lighter from June to October, which paralleled the change in ?¹³C ratio of the formulated feeds fed to the fish. Prawn ?¹³C ratios became heavier from June to October with a change in diet from seston to aquatic macrophytes and formulated catfish feed. Formulated feeds contributed 68-99% of catfish growth, and “natural” pond biota, principally insects, the remainder. Prawns depended to a greater extent on the autotrophic food web for their diet. Seston and macrophytes contributed 18-75% of prawn growth, and formulated feeds the remainder. The prawns fed on seston at small sizes (<7 g) and consumed more aquatic macrophytes and formulated catfish ration at larger sizes (<7 g).     

Total nitrogen,carbon and phosphorus digestibility in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed with conventional and organic commercial feeds: implications for particulate waste production

Organic fish farming is postulated as a more environmentally friendly activity than conventional activities. However, environmental sustainability as regards waste output has not been addressed. In this respect, the most important environmental problems associated with fish farming are those related with the discharge of particulate wastes. In this study, total nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus digestibility was estimated in a wide size range of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed a commercially available conventional diet and an organic feed, as a previous step to assessing particulate waste output. Neither fish size nor feed nutrient content was seen to influence nutrient digestibility in either species. The organic diet provided higher carbon but lower nitrogen and phosphorus digestibility than conventional feed in both species. Simulations under real ongrowing conditions resulted in lower values for nitrogen and higher values for carbon particulate wastes when conventional feed was supplied to both species. Particulate phosphorus wastes were 2.6‐ to 3.4‐fold higher for fish fed the organic diet. Restrictions concerning NO the raw materials used for organic diet formulation and differences in nutrient bioavailability between the diets seemed to be the underlying reason for the differences found.     

枸杞岛贻贝养殖水域碳氮磷分布格局

于2013年贻贝成熟期和幼苗期对枸杞岛贻贝筏式养殖水域营养分布和碳分布格局开展相关实验。结果表明:从生态健康角度,夏季成熟期的贻贝养殖造成养殖海域氮、磷营养盐浓度升高,尤其是无机氮浓度显著高于非养殖区(P<0.05),养殖区处于受磷限制性的重富营养化,对其水体健康产生一定压力;秋季幼苗期贻贝养殖使养殖海域氮、磷浓度均降低,尤其是无机氮浓度显著低于非养殖区(P<0.05),与夏季分布格局相反,对水体有净化作用。从生态效应看,贻贝养殖使表层水体中溶解无机碳浓度显著低于非养殖区(P<0.05),产生碳汇效应;同时,贻贝养殖使水体中溶解有机碳浓度显著高于非养殖区(P<0.05),由于丰富的氮营养盐,溶解有机碳处于不稳定态,为碳源。因此,成熟期与幼苗期贻贝养殖对其水域健康产生不同作用,养殖的碳汇、碳源还有待进一步的系统研究。     

Effects of organic carbon addition on water quality and growth performance of bottom- and filter-feeding carp in a minimum-water-exchange pond polyculture system

A 120-day evaluation was performed to determine the impacts of various carbon source supplements on the water grade and production of bottom- and filter-feeding carp inside a minimum-water-exchange system. The outcomes revealed that the overall ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total inorganic nitrogen, and orthophosphate concentrations in every one of the carbon source treatments were significantly less (P?<?0.05) than the control. The net production of silver carp and bighead carp in the molasses treatment was significantly higher (P?<?0.05) than that in the control. The total feed conversion rates of the fish in the molasses and the mixed carbon source treatments were significantly lower (P?<?0.05) than in the control, while the total protein efficiency ratio values in the corn starch, molasses, and mixed carbon source treatments were significantly higher (P?<?0.05) than those in the control. The bioflocs significantly (P?<?0.05) impacted the muscle makeup of crude protein, crude fat, and ash of mirror carp. The current examination showed that the increased generation and feed used in mirror, silver, and bighead carp may be reached with an enhanced water grade when different carbon sources were added, while the use of molasses, an organic carbon source, was optimal compared to the other carbon sources due to its low price and good effect.     

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.     

Impact of shellfish biodeposits and rotten seaweed on the sediments of Ailian Bay,China

We assessed the function of a Patinopecten yessoensis and Saccharina japonica integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) model on the level of organic matter produced in the environment. The study was conducted in March–July 2012 using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope methods. Results showed that the quantity of rotten kelp increased considerably over these 5 months, with the length of the rotten blades reaching 150 cm in July. The contribution rates of biodeposits by the shellfish and kelp to the suspended particulate matter (SPM) were 3.93 ± 0.39 and 4.99 ± 1.09 %, respectively, but contribution rates to the sediments in the IMTA area were very low. In May and July, rotting kelp contributed 1.06 ± 0.46 and 1.64 ± 0.13 % in the kelp area, respectively. The organic carbon and nitrogen content of sediments from the IMTA area was significantly higher than from the kelp area (P < 0.05). C% and N% in SPM from the IMTA area were four times those from the kelp area (P < 0.05), but the C and N content in sediments were still at a low level.     

Effects of the winter Monsoon on the growth,mortality, and metabolism of adult oysters in Kinmen Island,Taiwan

The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is cultivated intertidally in Kinmen Island by both a traditional way of growing oysters on the surface of stone blocks, nicknamed “rock oysters”, and a recently introduced and more efficient way of hanging them in clusters on horizontal nylon lines, i.e. “hanging oysters”. We investigated the growth and mortality of both types of oysters from late July to early December 2003, and measured condition index (CI) and rates of oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion for the hanging oyster. Growth of oyster shells stopped in early October for the hanging oysters and early December for the rock oysters. Mortality rates were higher for hanging oysters than rock oysters. Hanging oyster's O/N ratio and CI, determined by a home-made CI meter that measured the volume of oyster's inner shell cavity with high precision, decreased significantly in October. Hanging oysters were apparently in poor physiological condition during the winter Monsoon, which is characterized by cold and persistently strong wind. On Kinmen Island the monsoon season begins in late September and is accompanied by declining seawater temperature and high seston loads in oyster farms. Chlorophyll a concentrations and seston food quality decreased significantly in early October after the winter Monsoon began. The hanging oyster's poor acclimation to the local climate was probably caused by the import of its spat from southwest coast of Taiwan where it is warmer than Kinmen Island in fall and winter. We recommend that oyster growers collect spat locally or from areas of similar climate.     

Growth and survival of the scallop Lyropecten (=Nodipecten) nodosus (L. 1758) in suspended culture in the Cariaco Gulf (Venezuela) during a non-upwelling period

Growth and survival of the scallop Lyropecten nodosus were studied in 1997 at two sites (inner and outer Turpialito Bay) during a non‐upwelling period normally occurring between August and November. Individuals had an initial shell height of 4.86 cm (SD=1.64 cm). Both experimental groups were held in suspended plastic baskets at the same depth (4 m). Measurements of shell height and dry weights of shell, gonad, digestive gland, remaining tissues and shell biofouling were taken at monthly intervals. Environmental parameters, including temperature, phytoplanktonic biomass, total particulate material (TPM) and associated organic (POM) and inorganic (PIM) fractions, were recorded simultaneously. At the end of the study, significant differences in growth and survival of scallops were observed between the two experimental sites. Scallops maintained inside the bay showed a 22% greater increase in shell height (7.41±0.27 cm) than those placed outside the bay (6.37±0.41 cm). Survival of scallops inside the bay was 31% higher compared with scallops outside. The greater availability of food of phytoplanktonic origin during the first two experimental months (July and August) together with greater POM throughout the whole experimental period except September, at the inner bay site, probably explained survival and growth differences observed between the two locations. Results suggest that, during the non‐upwelling period (characterized by low primary productivity and high water temperatures), POM of sedimentary origin may play an important role as an energy source required for metabolic and reproductive activities of L. nodosus.     

絮团浓度对革胡子鲇零换水养殖效果的影响

为研究絮团浓度对革胡子鲇零换水养殖效果的影响,在不额外添加有机碳源（只利用饲料中的碳）的革胡子鲇（）养殖系统中,设置了平均絮团质量浓度为561.18 mg/L和780.41 mg/L两个处理组,比较了两实验组的水质、菌群结构、鱼生长及氮利用效率。结果表明,两种浓度絮团条件下,总氨氮（total ammonia nitrogen,TAN）和亚硝酸氮（NO₂^--N）能分别维持1.84 mg/L和1.79 mg/L以下。两处理组间pH、溶解氧（dissolved oxygen,DO）、TAN、NO₂^--N、氮素利用效率及主要生长指标无显著差异（-N）浓度（822.0 mg/L）明显高于低浓度絮团组（623.33 mg/L）。高通量测序分析菌群结构结果表明,两组间门水平的菌群组成种类及优势度无显著性差异（<0.05）。两处理组中的革胡子鲇存活率分别达到（91.11±1.53）%和（94.44±2.08）%,饲料系数为（1.41±0.18）和（1.27±0.26）,特殊生长率为（2.13±0.04）%/d和（2.19±0.08）%/d,均无显著差异（>0.05）。两实验组饲料氮的利用率分别达到了72.17%和71.34%。综合以上结果认为,仅利用饲料中的碳既能维持革胡子鲇的零换水养殖且能取得较高的氮素利用效率,两种絮团浓度对革胡子鲇的生长无显著影响,高浓度絮团组中的硝化作用更明显。     

三种主养草鱼池塘沉积物-水界面碳通量的研究

为了探讨环境因子和底栖配养生物对碳通量的影响,采用实验室培养方法,测定并比较了不同混养模式下沉积物-水界面各形态碳的通量,监测了8月沉积物-水界面上覆水中各形态碳含量的昼夜变化。3种主养草鱼池塘的养殖模式为草鱼、鲢和鳙混养(GSB),草鱼、鲢、鳙和凡纳滨对虾混养(GSBL),草鱼、鲢、鳙和鲤混养(GSBC)。主要实验结果如下:(1)在养殖周期内,3种混养模式沉积物-水界面可溶性无机碳(DIC)通量范围为0.65~16.90 mg/(m²·d),可溶性有机碳(DOC)通量范围为0.16~13.49 mg/(m²·d),颗粒性有机碳(POC)通量范围为-2.29~3.32 mg/(m²·d);GSB和GSBC模式各形态碳通量均以8月最高,GSBL模式则以7月最高。(2)在养殖周期内,3种混养模式沉积物对DIC和DOC均表现为释放,而对POC在4-6月以吸收为主,其余时间表现为释放。(3)在养殖的中后期,3种混养模式的DIC、DOC和POC通量存在一定差异。其中,GSBL和GSBC模式中各形态碳通量值显著高于GSB模式(P<0.05)。(4)8月上覆水中DIC和DOC的含量在4:00达到最大值,POC含量则表现为GSBL模式在4:00达到最大值,12:00达到最小值,而GSBC模式在4:00达到最小值,12:00达到最大值。(5)各形态碳通量的变化与上覆水中的DO、pH呈显著负相关关系,而与水温呈显著正相关关系。     

Effect of an organic fertilizer on growth of blue-green alga Spirulina platensis

In this study, the influence of an agricultural liquid organic fertilizer on growth and biomass composition of Spirulina platensis Geitler was studied. In the first trial, five concentrations of organic fertilizer were arranged, e.g., 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2?ml/l, in which no other extra nutrients except bicarbonate were used. Maximum dry weight, chlorophyll a and specific growth rate were achieved in control group. In the second trial, initial fertilizer levels of the three groups were 0.1?ml/l and all groups contained sodium bicarbonate. One of the groups had 2.5?g/l NaNO₃, while the other was supported with 0.1?ml/l fertilizer by two-day intervals to see the effect of nitrogen. In order to understand the effects of phosphate, 0.4?g K₂HPO₄ was added to the other group as well as 2.5?g NaNO₃. Between the experimental groups, the highest chlorophyll a value was found in control group as 53.97?mg/l. The chlorophyll value at group II (37.65?mg/l) was lower than the control group. The maximum dry weight and crude protein recorded in control group were 1,330?mg/l and 60.17%, respectively, when compared with 1,256?mg/l and 59.92% in group II. No significant differences were observed in crude protein values of Spirulina grown in control and group II (P?<?0.05). Consequently, it was seen that commercial liquid organic fertilizers may be replaced by Zarrouk??s medium except for nitrate, phosphate and bicarbonate in S. platensis cultures in order to decrease the production costs.     

Effect of water exchange on effluent and sediment characteristics and on partial nitrogen budget in semi-intensive shrimp ponds in New Caledonia

An experiment was conducted in six earthen ponds with 20 shrimps m^?2Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson) during the warm season in New Caledonia to study the dynamics of wastes in relation with water exchange rate (WER). The nitrogen budget was established, taking into account the different forms of nitrogen in the water, sediment, feed and shrimp. Data from a wide range of treatments applied in unreplicated ponds were treated using regression analysis to establish the relationship between WER and partial nitrogen budget, sediment characteristics and shrimp performance. To compare effluent quality between treatments during the season, data were analysed using the non‐parametric sign test. The water outflow was characterized by a decrease in the concentrations of N‐mineral forms (TAN, NO₂^?–NO₃^?), an increase in the concentration of organic soluble and sestonic organic forms (expressed in terms of particulate nitrogen, particulate organic carbon, chlorophyll a) compared with the water inflow. Increasing WER increased the amount of exported wastes and mainly in the organic forms and TAN can be considered as negligible. The nitrogen budget showed that 19–46% of nitrogen input (feed+water) was exported into the coastal environment. The results showed that the quality of the sediment decreased as WER decreased. The potential negative impact of the developing industry in New Caledonia on the costal environment could be partially reduced in a first step by decreasing WER. However, if applied in the farms, this practice should be linked to a close survey of the evolution of sediment quality.     

Effect of temperature and phytoplankton concentration on Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) filtration rate

Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) held in timed‐pulse feeding chambers, were provided with algal‐rich water dominated by either green algae (Scenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus, Chlorella and Tetraedron) or cyanobacteria (Microcystis) to determine the effect of temperature and phytoplankton concentration on filtration rates. Green algae and cyanobacteria filtration rates were measured as suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) kg^?1 wet fish weight h^?1. Ivlev's filter‐feeding model described the relationships between filtration rates and suspended POC concentration of green algae and cyanobacteria. Filtration rates of both green algae and cyanobacteria increased linearly as water temperature increased from 17 °C to 32 °C and were significantly higher in the warm‐water regime (26–32 °C) than in the cool‐water regime (17–23 °C). Filtration rates at 95% saturation POC (FR₉₅) in green algal and cyanobacterial waters were 700 mg C kg^?1 h^?1 and 851 mg C kg^?1 h^?1 in the warm‐water regime and 369 mg C kg^?1 h^?1 and 439 mg C kg^?1 h^?1 in the cool‐water regime respectively. The FR₉₅ in warm water were achieved at lower POC concentrations than in cool water.