Impact of new measured Mediterranean mineralization rates on the fate of simulated aquaculture wastes |
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Authors: | Patrizia De Gaetano Paolo Vassallo Marco Bartoli Daniele Nizzoli Andrea M. Doglioli Marcello G. Magaldi Mauro Fabiano |
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Affiliation: | 1. DIFI, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy;2. DIPTERIS, Dipartimento per lo Studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy;3. DSA, Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy;4. Aix‐Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, IRD, LOPB‐UMR 6535, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Physique et de Biogéochimique, OSU/Centre d'Océanologie de Marseille, Marseille, France;5. ISMAR‐Istituto di Scienze Marine, CNR‐Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Venice, Italy;6. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA |
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Abstract: | In order to provide values of key parameters in aquaculture waste degradation modelling specifically for the Mediterranean, sampling campaigns were carried out in 2006. Accurate measurements of particulate carbon input and benthic respiration rates were performed using sediment traps and intact core incubations. The in situ measurements, compared with data from Atlantic salmon production, showed lower carbon flux and oxygen consumption, while a greater degradation capability was observed. Moreover, a temperature dependence of the benthic parameters was highlighted. Successively, the model Finite Organic Accumulation Module was used for an accurate comparison between different parameterizations. Finite Organic Accumulation Module simulates the organic carbon degradation and the net carbon accumulation on the sediment, yielding a benthic state index. In comparison with previous results, there was a decrease in benthic impacts due to minor inputs of carbon and higher mineralization rates. Moreover, a seasonal variation could be observed in the organic carbon concentration. Nevertheless, the new results remain consistent with the old ones on two points: (a) the negligible benthic impact of faeces with respect to uneaten feed and (b) the dependence of that impact on the different feed release conditions. |
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Keywords: | Mediterranean Sea mineralization rate biodegradation modelling aquaculture impact Sparus aurata Dicentrarchus labrax |
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