桑沟湾营养盐时空分布及营养盐限制分析

根据2006年4、7、11月和2007年1月共4个航次的调查数据,分析了桑沟湾水域的溶解无机氮(DIN)、活性磷酸盐(PO43-)和活性硅酸盐(Si)含量的时空分布特征,采用营养盐浓度阈值法和化学计量法对桑沟湾营养盐潜在的限制性进行了分析。结果显示,桑沟湾DIN、PO43-、Si含量及分布呈现出明显的季节变化:DIN在秋季最高,春季最低;PO43-在秋季最高,夏季最低;Si在夏季最高,秋季最低。春季DIN和PO43-的含量低于理论上浮游植物生长的营养盐阈值的站位分别占44%和39%;夏季PO43-的潜在限制性较强,浓度低于营养盐阈值的站位占68%,受PO43-潜在限制的几率达79%,DIN和Si分别为5%和0;秋、冬季Si可能是浮游植物生长的主要限制因子。讨论了海水养殖、陆源输入及外海交换对营养盐时空分布的影响。目前,桑沟湾营养盐浓度基本属于国家一类、二类水质。但是,长期变化趋势显示DIN有上升的趋势。     

The impact of Chinese mitten crab culture on water quality, sediment and the pelagic and macrobenthic community in the reclamation area of Guchenghu Lake

The effects of crab aquaculture on the water and sediment quality and the pelagic and macrobenthic community of the adjacent reclamation area of Guchenghu Lake, Jiangsu Province were evaluated over two consecutive crop cycles from April 2010 to November 2011. The results indicated that most of the nutrient concentrations in both the water column and the sediment varied temporally and showed significant spatial differences. The peak values of most of the physico-chemical parameters measured were obtained during the summer or autumn, whereas the opposite result was observed for suspended solids. A higher zooplankton density and lower phytoplankton biomass were observed in ponds than in other sampling sites, whereas Cyanophyta (80 %), with Planktothrix rubescens as the dominant taxon, was predominant in the canal closest to the ponds. The benthic community was dominated by Bellamya aeruginosa in the ponds. Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri was the predominant species in the canal. Comparative analysis of the impact of crab culture showed that it produced a relatively low level of disturbance but introduced large quantities of nutrients and organic matter into the canal around the farming ponds. The introduction of these substances increased the risk that Guchenghu Lake would be affected by pollution.     

小竹山岛海洋牧场区营养盐分布特征及增养殖适宜性探究

营养盐作为海水生物的基本生源要素,其含量与分布显著影响渔业资源分布与渔业活动。为了探究海洋牧场生态环境分布状况,并为海洋牧场的开发管理提供科学指导,于2017年12月—2018年9月对小竹山岛海洋牧场区进行4个航次的季度调查,分析并讨论了该海区营养盐分布特征,并针对虾夷扇贝(Patinopecten yessoensis)和深水网箱增养殖活动,选取海水营养水平指数、叶绿素a浓度、温度、盐度、水深和底质类型等指标,对增养殖适宜性进行了探究。结果显示,活性磷酸盐(DIP)浓度为冬季>夏季>秋季>春季,浓度值分别为0.032、0.021、0.017和0.015 mg/L。无机氮(DIN)浓度为秋季>冬季>夏季>春季,浓度值分别为0.26、0.21、0.20和0.18mg/L。DIP和DIN浓度在4个季节间差异明显,但季节内分布均匀。受到地形坡度和人工鱼礁投放的影响,在人工鱼礁投放区域的中下层水体有较高的营养盐浓度。增养殖适宜性结果显示,虾夷扇贝增养殖适宜性指数在冬季和夏季较高,适宜在海洋牧场西部区域进行增养殖活动。深水网箱增养殖适宜性指数在夏季和秋季较高,...     

主养草鱼与主养黄颡鱼池塘沉积物—水界面氮磷营养盐通量变化及与环境因子的关系

为了探讨不同主养模式池塘养殖期间沉积物—水界面氮磷营养盐通量变化特征以及与环境因子之间的相互关系,利用沉积物—水界面营养盐扩散通量的原位观测装置,分析了2013年4—10月主养草鱼和主养黄颡鱼池塘沉积物—水界面营养盐交换通量,并探讨了影响营养盐交换通量的因素。结果发现:(1)在养殖初期,各种形态氮磷在养殖池塘沉积物—水界面主要表现为从上覆水向沉积物的沉积,养殖中后期,由于温度升高以及池塘沉积物中营养物质的大量累积,各种形态氮磷表现为以沉积物向上覆水扩散为主,表明池塘沉积物是氮磷营养盐的源与汇;(2)两种不同主养模式池塘氮磷通量的统计结果表明,沉积物—水界面-N、-N和-P通量变化无显著差异,而-N、TN和TP通量有显著差异;(3)上覆水中DO含量的升高显著促进界面间-N和-N释放通量,而-N和-P释放通量与上覆水DO浓度成显著负相关;温度的升高对各种无机形态的氮磷通量有显著的促进作用。     

Morphological Traits of Wild and Selected Strains of Cultured Undaria pinnatifida from Galicia (NW Spain)

Wakame, Undaria pinnatifida, is one of the most popular seaweeds used for human consumption in the world. Wakame quality is mainly valued on the basis of its morphological features. Continual inbreeding and directional selection have traditionally been used with economic seaweeds to obtain elite strains with high‐quality forms. In this study, we compared the morphological traits of cultured sporophytes originating from wild and selected strains of U. pinnatifida in Galicia (NW Spain). Seedlings (young sporophytes) of the two strains were cultured at a sheltered site in a coastal bay of Galicia under the same environmental conditions. Sixteen different morphological measurements were taken on cultured sporophytes. We found that the sporophytes of both wild and selected strains were significantly similar in all studied morphological characters. These results suggest that the morphology of cultured strains of U. pinnatifida from Galicia is due to environmental conditions and that specific morphological traits are dependent on the cultivation environment. Consequently, the morphological traits of Galician U. pinnatifida populations are not an important factor in selective breeding for enhanced wakame quality, and hence, for the establishment of a germplasm bank (e.g., gametophyte stocks).     

象山港中部养殖海区营养盐的季节变化及富营养化

根据2014年11月,2015年1月、3月和7月在象山港中部养殖海区开展的海洋调查所获得的海水营养盐数据,分析了该海域营养盐含量的季节变化,评价了海水的富营养化状况。结果显示,该海域无机氮平均含量秋季最高,春季次之,冬季最低;活性磷酸盐平均含量秋季最高,夏季次之,冬季最低。对不同养殖区域分析,宁海海藻养殖区和西沪港海带养殖区的无机氮浓度除冬季1个站位点外均劣于国家海水四类水质标准(0.50 mg/L),活性磷酸盐浓度在春、秋两季劣于国家海水四类水质标准(0.045 mg/L)。全年各水层的N/P比值均高于Redfield比值,磷相对缺乏。根据富营养化评价模式,象山港中部养殖海区营养水平属于磷中等限制潜在性富营养型。     

Effect of support medium,hydraulic loading rate and plant density on water quality and growth of halophytes in marine aquaponic systems

The development of marine intensive land‐based aquaculture systems has been limited due to the absence of methods to manage saline wastewater. Aquaponic systems, although commonly applied to freshwater aquaculture, can potentially manage nutrient wastes while providing a secondary product. The aim of this study was to evaluate both the capacity for water treatment and the production requirements of two saltwater‐tolerant plant species (Sesuvium portulacastrum and Batis maritima) when grown hydroponically in a marine aquaponic system. The presence of plants was found to significantly contribute to nitrate removal, such that mean nitrate concentrations were 10.1 ± 5.4 and 12.1 ± 6.1 mg/L NO₃^?‐N in planted and unplanted treatments respectively. The use of coconut fibre as a planting medium also significantly contributed to nitrate removal, such that mean nitrate concentrations were 9.78 ± 5.4 and 12.4 ± 6.0 mg/L NO₃^?‐N in coconut fibre and expanded clay treatments respectively. Daily nitrogen removal was greatest in the coconut fibre/plants treatment, ranging from ?18% to 67%. Hydraulic loading rate, plant species and plant density did not significantly affect water quality or plant growth. The low flow/saltwort/low density treatment had the greatest mean daily nitrogen removal, ranging from 25% to 172%. The results indicate that the main nitrogen removal mechanisms were simultaneous nitrification–denitrification in the hydroponic plant beds and nitrogen removal through plant growth. This study demonstrates that marine aquaponics could be an effective way to manage nutrient removal in marine land‐based aquaculture systems.     

The nutrient status of the agriculturally impacted Gamtoos Estuary,South Africa,with special reference to the river‐estuarine interface region (REI)

• 1. Ecological water reserves are part of the new water management philosophy in South Africa. The estuaries are threatened by excessive water abstraction from their rivers and the consequent reduction in freshwater input. This study was conducted to further improve our understanding of freshwater requirements in terms of nutrients for South African estuaries.
• 2. The Gamtoos Estuary was sampled between November 1996 and November 1998 to determine its nutrient status and freshwater input rates. Furthermore, the possible existence of a distinct river‐estuarine interface (REI) in terms of nutrients has been investigated. Nutrients analysed included phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic nitrogen (PON) as Kjieldahl nitrogen, total particulate phosphorus and total particulate carbon.
• 3. The Gamtoos River was found not to be the ultimate source of nutrients to the estuary, but non‐point sources such as the seepage of fertilisers from adjacent agricultural fields determined to a great extent the nutrient status of the estuary.
• 4. Results showed that it was not possible to identify a defined river‐estuarine interface region for all nutrients. Most were measured in higher concentrations in the lower salinity reaches (<17‰) where we observed the combined effect of inputs from the Gamtoos River, an agricultural drainage pipe, and fertilizer seepage from non‐point sources on nutrient concentration.
• 5. Prolonged water withdrawal for human use impacts the continuous renewal of the nutrient pool so important to other South African estuaries with relative pristine catchment areas. However, reduced fresh water inputs could enhance eutrophication in polluted estuaries due to a decreased flushing potential of the estuary. In this case the Gamtoos Estuary has a freshwater requirement for freshets and floods to “clean” the estuary of accumulated nutrients and other organic material.
• 6. This should be a consideration in further freshwater abstraction policies. Conservation issues arise since the Gamtoos Estuary is one of the few permanently open estuaries along the South African coast and serve in this study as an example and as a first attempt to relate freshwater requirements to nutrient dynamics in a South African context.

Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

桑沟湾水动力特征及其对养殖容量影响的研究——观测与模型

主要介绍了从动力学研究桑沟湾养殖容量的主要思路、方法及结果。研究以精细过程观测为基础,以数值模型为手段,从物理海洋学角度考察养殖海区水动力特征,研究水动力对物质循环的影响、对颗粒态/溶解态营养物质的补充和对养殖生物量的影响,探寻不同养殖模式效果的技术路线;介绍了两个航次设计方案与目的。通过观测发现养殖对水动力垂直结构有很大影响,底层流速最大并滞后表层,发现弱动力条件下海底颗粒物和营养盐无法进入水体上层的事实。据此提出双边界层动力模型,建立一维数值模型进行机制探讨,将养殖阻力三维化建立水动力数值模型,定量给出养殖对水动力和水交换的阻碍;以此驱动三维养殖生态模型,充分考虑养殖对水动力的影响、水动力对生源要素的输运。建立了一个真正的物理-生物过程耦合模型。利用该模型进行的数值模拟和实验表明,贝藻兼养多元养殖是健康、高效养殖的有利措施;桑沟湾在现有养殖模式下,目前已基本达到了它的养殖容量,养殖品种分布不变,减少养殖密度至目前的0.9倍会略微提高产量,降低成本;减少湾口海带养殖密度,会大幅度提高贝藻兼养区的营养盐总量和养殖生物产量,从海带与贝类经济价值对比会有更高的效益。人为提高水动力混合或许是解决湾内营养盐缺乏的途径。     

Physiological differences between gametophytes and sporophytes of five cultivar strains of Saccharina japonica

The demand for high‐yield cultivars of Saccharina japonica in farming areas calls for a practical and simple method to select desired parental plants for seed breeding. In this study, we evaluated PSII photosynthetic performance by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence and the nutrient uptake rate in both the micro‐gametophyte and macro‐young‐sporophyte in five native strains (S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5) of S. japonica with different morphological characteristics. We found significant differences in PSII photosynthetic parameters and nitrate uptake rates between the strains studied in both gametophytes and young sporophytes. Female gametophytes of all strains presented larger cell sizes than males (P < 0.05). Among all tested strains, S2 presented the largest cell sizes and highest levels of PSII photosynthetic parameters and nutrient uptake rates in female gametophytes and young sporophytes. In open sea cultivation, S2 presented the greatest width and largest fresh weight values but the lowest thickness among all strains studied. Correlation analysis further indicated that the algal fresh weight showed strong positive relationships with cell size (R² > 0.747), the PSII photosynthetic parameters of female gametophytes (R² > 0.689) and the nitrate uptake rate of young sporophytes (R² = 0.640). These findings are considered promising for the future seed breeding of renewable, high‐yield strains.     

胶州湾贝类养殖区氮、磷污染现状及动态变化

依据2011年3、5、8、10月和1997～2010年5、8、10月水环境调查资料,对胶州湾贝类养殖区氮、磷污染现状及动态变化进行了分析与评价,并分析了海水富营养化的成因,可为赤潮的预测预警提供基础资料.结果表明,1)2011年胶州湾贝类养殖区氮、磷污染较为严重,除3月其含量符合标准要求外,5、8、10月均存在氮、磷污染,其中无机氮超标率为11.11％～100％,活性磷酸盐超标率为33.33％～66.67％,无机氮超标率均值高于活性磷酸盐.2)氮、磷污染程度具有明显的季节变化,以10月最重,8月次之,3月最轻.无机氮和活性磷酸盐污染指数均值分别为1.35和0.93,氮污染重于磷污染.3)氮、磷营养盐空间分布不均,贝类养殖区西部和东部海域氮、磷含量高于中部海域,空间分异程度为8月＞3月＞5月＞10月.4)海水富营养化程度较为严重,2011年3、5、8、10月富营养化站位所占比例为44.44％～100％,营养指数均值为1.09～6.99,海水富营养化严重程度依次为8月＞10月＞5月＞3月.5)2011年各调查月份养殖区海水中N/P比值为20.96～43.22,除5月部分测站N/P比值小于Redfield比值,其他3个月份N/P比值均大于Redfield比值,活性磷酸盐可能成为浮游植物生长的主要限制因子之一.6)氮、磷污染指数具有明显的年际变化,其中无机氮污染指数2008年最高,1997和2000年最低;活性磷酸盐污染指数1997年最高,2011年最低.7)海水富营养化成因复杂,径流携带大量氮、磷等营养物质入海和贝类养殖自身污染是造成胶州湾贝类养殖区海水富营养化的主因.近年胶州湾贝类养殖区氮、磷污染状况并无明显改善,海水富营养化依然严重,存在发生赤潮的可能性.     

Nutrient and nitrogen isotope monitoring of an aquaculture fishery in North Queensland,Australia

A one‐time monitoring event was initiated by an aquaculture fishery in North Queensland to assess if the discharges from the aquaculture fishery were increasing nutrient input into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Leaf samples from Avicennia marina (grey mangrove) were used to compare the nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) concentrations, and δ¹⁵N values in the receiving waters of the adjacent creeks and a set of reference sites established in a neighbouring creek. The same indicators were also measured in macroalgae from the nutrient extraction ponds. The mangrove leaves in the Mixing Zone of the receiving creek were slightly elevated in N concentrations (22 mg g^?1 compared to 17.5 mg g^?1 at the Reference sites) and δ¹⁵N values (6.5 compared to 4.5 at the Reference sites) showing there was an influence from the outputs of the aquaculture fishery. However, P concentrations were the same in the Mixing Zone and Reference sites. Downstream of the Mixing Zone, the concentration of N and P, and the δ¹⁵N values in the Receiving Waters were the same as the Reference sites, at levels considered normal in other studies. These results show that aquaculture fisheries can be managed to maintain nutrients at reference levels in mangrove foliage in estuaries of the receiving zones.     

乳山湾表层海水COD与氮、磷营养盐的分布及其营养状况

调查结果表明,乳山湾东流区化学需氧量(COD)浓度较低,均低于2mg／L。无机氮浓度较高,5月和8月无机氮的平均值分别为0．32、0．39mg／L,5月无机氮组成以硝酸氮(NO3-N)为主,8月则以氨氮(NH4-N)为主。5月和8月无机磷的平均值分别为0．015、0．035mg／L,IN／IP比值较高,平均值分别为74和25。乳山湾东流区处于富营养化水平。     

The Impact of Nutrient Concentration (N:P) and Manure Type on Fish Polyculture

Abstract

Nutrient availability is considered to have a major role in controlling primary productivity. Therefore, an important aspect of successful aquaculture management in fish culture systems is making available basic nutrients, for example, phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N), and carbon (C) in optimal concentrations. The use of fertilizers in relation to pond productivity has been studied in order to develop better fertilization procedures under given environmental conditions. Many researchers from across the world have suggested different N:P ratios for optimizing fish production. The primary aim of this study was to understand the influence of nutrient quality and quantity on fish and primary productivity in terms of optimizing fish production. Two objectives of this study include evaluating the performance of pig and cow manures in terms of primary productivity and fish production; and understanding the influence of different N concentrations ranging from 1-2 ppm on fish production while P was maintained at 0.5 ppm. It was evident from this research that fish species nutrient-sensitivity to nitrogen concentrations ranging from 1-2 ppm was significantly different. The 1 ppm N:0.5 ppm P concentration was found to be the most suitable nutrient ratio for pond fertilization as significantly higher fish production and lower mortality were recorded in this treatment. In terms of plankton and fish production, pig manure was found to be significantly more effective than cow manure. Higher nutrient (>1 ppm N) concentrations negatively impacted zoo-plankton and zoo benthos development. Daily manure application would considerably reduce the organic load in the fish culture system, enabling more efficient use of nutrients for primary and secondary production.     

流沙湾浮游植物群落特征季节变化及其与养殖活动的关系

流沙湾是中国海水珍珠“南珠”的主产区和广东省重要的贝类养殖区。为评估湾内养殖活动的环境效应,于2015~2016年对流沙湾海区进行了夏(8月)、秋(11月)、冬(2月)、春(5月) 4个季节的浮游植物和海水理化因子调查。共检出浮游植物171种,包括硅藻门43属122种、甲藻门 10属44种、蓝藻门2属2种、金藻门2属2种和裸藻门1属1种。流沙湾内湾浮游植物细胞丰度为(0.05~79.04)×104个/L,夏季>春季>秋季>冬季,且夏季丰度远大于其他三季,内湾和外湾差异不显著。春季须状角毛藻(Chaetoceros crinitus)、红海束毛藻(Trichodesmium erythraeum)和明壁圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus debilis)为主要优势种,夏季优势种主要为中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum),秋季优势种主要为拟弯角毛藻(Chaetoceros pseudocurvisetus)、奇异棍形藻(Bacillaria paradoxa)、洛氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus),冬季主要优势种为威氏圆筛藻(Coscinodisus wailesii)、柔弱根管藻(Rhizosolenia delicatula)、岛脆杆藻(Fragilaria islandica)。其中,奇异棍形藻为春、秋、冬季的优势种,红海束毛藻为春、夏、秋季的优势种。冗余分析表明,流沙湾浮游植物优势种在春季与水温和氨氮密切相关,夏季受透明度显著影响,而在秋、冬季受亚硝酸氮含量影响显著。流沙湾不同养殖区的浮游植物多态性和丰度有明显季节差异。与2012年相比,流沙湾外湾的养殖覆盖率提高了近50%,内湾的珍珠贝养殖减少了近90%,养殖品种、规模和分布格局都发生了明显变化,目前流沙湾的浮游植物群落特征正是对其变化的一种响应。夏季鱼类网箱养殖提高了水域营养盐水平并降低了浮游植物多样性。大规模的扇贝养殖则导致了扇贝养殖区浮游植物丰度的降低。     

闽江河口养虾塘水体可溶性有机碳、营养盐和叶绿素a浓度变化特征

为揭示河口区陆基养虾塘可溶性有机碳(DOC)、营养盐、叶绿素a时空动态变化及其生态化学计量特征,在福建省闽江河口鳝鱼滩选择3个陆基养虾塘作为研究对象,于2018年5-10月原位测定养虾塘水温、pH、盐度、溶解氧指标,并采集不同深度水样,实验室测定DOC、可溶性无机氮(DIN)、磷酸盐(PO43--P)、叶绿素a浓度,探讨其主要影响因素。结果表明,养虾塘水体中DOC、DIN、PO43--P和叶绿素a质量浓度分别介于5.73~16.79 mg·L-1、0.04~1.80 mg·L-1、0.03~0.16 mg·L-1和15.02~443.08μg·L-1,均存在明显的时空变化特征;养虾塘水体DOC、营养盐、叶绿素a浓度受到养殖水体水环境参数、人为活动、养殖生物的共同影响;养虾塘水体碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)营养元素组成与植物、土壤之间具有相似性,并且表现为碳盈余和氮限制。在养殖过程中,加强对养虾塘水体营养盐和叶绿素a的动态变化监测,通过人为方式调节养虾塘水体C、N、P比率,对于防止养虾塘水体富营养化,促进养虾塘生态系统绿色可持续生产具有重要作用。     

Waste management in recirculating aquaculture system through bacteria dissimilation and plant assimilation

Wastewater management and disposal in aquaculture is becoming increasingly important due to stringent water regulations regarding waste discharges into natural water systems. Recirculation aquaculture is one of the technologies designed to reduce waste discharge through the nitrification process. However, nitrification results in nitrate accumulation which is normally reduced by dilution through water exchange. Water exchange is only possible with sufficient water. Although nitrification is a conventional process, it has limitations because the autotrophic bacteria require long start-up and multiplication periods. The nitrifiers require high levels of oxygen with relatively higher aeration costs. Moreover, the bacteria are sensitive to rapid changes in pH, temperature, and flow rate. Denitrification can be a solution to the limitations of nitrification since denitrifiers are most abundant in the natural environment and have higher growth rates than nitrifiers. In addition, the process reduces energy costs since there is no need for aeration, water consumption is also reduced drastically since water exchange is minimized. Organic loading can be reduced when fish waste is utilized as a carbon source. An alternative process to manage aquaculture wastes is through anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), where ammonia and nitrite are converted into nitrogen gas. Anammox can efficiently reduce ammonia and nitrites from culture water, but it has not received wide application in aquaculture. Aquaculture wastewater contains nutrients which are essential for plant growth. The plants maintain good water quality by absorbing the dissolved nutrients. Denitrification, anammox, and nutrient uptake by plants are feasible strategies to reduce wastes from aquaculture effluents.     

温度和盐度对北美海蓬子营养盐吸收速率的影响研究

北美海蓬子(Salicornia hige)是一种耐盐范围广、适应能力强的盐生植物,可以用于净化处理海水养殖废水,不过关于温度和盐度对其营养盐吸收速率的影响研究较少。本研究以北美海蓬子为实验材料,分析了不同温度(20℃、25℃、30℃、35℃)和不同盐度(25、50、75、100)下海蓬子对海水中主要营养盐的吸收速率,以期为海蓬子生态浮床的应用工作提供可靠的数据参考。结果显示:温度和盐度均对海蓬子的吸收速率产生明显影响,在30~35t温度下海蓬子对营养盐的吸收速率最快,以硝态氮为例,吸收速率能够达到2.56 mg·E^-4·g^-1·d^-1;在8~16 g·L^-1海水盐度下,海蓬子对于营养盐的吸收速率最快,以硝态氮为例,吸收速率可以达到1.56 mg·E^-4·g^-1·d^-1。海蓬子能够有效地吸收海水中的氮磷等营养元素,是用于养殖废水处理植物的良好选择,在合适的水体中利用海蓬子处理养殖废水,能够发挥其最大的吸收效率,达到较好的净化效果。     

Reforming Wakame Aquaculture in Japan with Relaxed Processing Standards: From Consumer and Producer Viewpoints

This study investigated potential production reforms of wakame aquaculture in Japan through modification of processing standards. The research focused on the destemming process and examined both the consumers’ and producers’ perspectives. An auction experiment was conducted to measure consumer preferences for wakame with different destemming standards (1, 4, 7, and 10 mm). It was found that, although consumer preferences were diverse, there was no preference between the present (1-mm) and 4-mm standards. In addition, a production experiment was used to measure the amount of labor that could be saved (and thereby the improvement in profit) by relaxing the standard from 1 mm to 4 mm. It was concluded that this new standard would increase productivity by 13.3% without affecting consumer demand, which will improve the structure of this industry for competition against cheaper foreign products.     

Effect of nitrate fertilization of gametophytes of the kelp Undaria pinnatifida on growth and maturation of the sporophytes cultivated in Matsushima Bay, northern Honshu, Japan

In northern Japan, the early production of high-quality specimens of kelps Undaria pinnatifida prior to the outbreak of pinhole disease is needed. To address this need, we tested the effect of nitrate fertilization of gametophytes on the growth and maturation of sporophytes using experimental and control gametophytes derived from sporophytes cultivated in Matsushima Bay, northern Honshu, Japan. From mid-August to October 2008, experimental gametophytes were cultured on a rope indoors at a nitrate concentration of 1 mg/L at the optimal seawater temperature of 20 °C, whereas control gametophytes were cultured without the addition of nitrate in normal seawater at an average temperature of 23.5 °C during this period in the past 30 years. Next, the seedlings were cultivated in Matsushima Bay until March 2009. For the experimental kelps, the total length, stipe length, stipe width, sporophyll length, sporophyll width, and dry weight of the blade, midrib, and sporophyll increased significantly from December to January compared to those of control kelps. Matured sporophylls of the experimental kelps were more than those of the control kelps from early December to late January. Significant higher photosynthesis occurred at seawater temperatures of 10 and 15 °C, as well as higher uptake rates of NO₃–N of the experimental kelps in December and January. These results show that nitrate fertilization of the gametophytes makes it possible to harvest the high-priced blade, midrib, and sporophyll in January, which is earlier than the traditional harvest date.