Magnitude, spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark

Suspended mussel aquaculture has been proposed as a possible mechanism by which to remove excess nutrients from eutrophic marine areas. In this study, seasonal mussel growth and water clarification (through seston and phytoplankton depletion) were studied at a commercial-scale nutrient extractive mu...

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Main Authors: P Nielsen, PJ Cranford, M Maar, JK Petersen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Inter-Research 2016-05-01
Series:Aquaculture Environment Interactions
Online Access:https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/aei/v8/p311-329/
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author P Nielsen
PJ Cranford
M Maar
JK Petersen
author_facet P Nielsen
PJ Cranford
M Maar
JK Petersen
author_sort P Nielsen
collection DOAJ
description Suspended mussel aquaculture has been proposed as a possible mechanism by which to remove excess nutrients from eutrophic marine areas. In this study, seasonal mussel growth and water clarification (through seston and phytoplankton depletion) were studied at a commercial-scale nutrient extractive mussel farm in a highly eutrophic Danish fjord. Spatial variations in mussel biomass were examined throughout the year and no significant differences were detected within the farm. Food depletion by mussels was examined at spatial scales ranging from individuals to the entire farm and surrounding area. Phytoplankton depletion on the scale of individual mussel loops, determined using the siphon mimic approach, indicated between 27 and 44% depletion of chlorophyll a (chl a). Farm-scale depletion was detected and visualized based on intensive 3D spatial surveys of the distribution of chl a and total suspended particulate matter concentrations both inside and outside the farmed area. Average reductions in food supply within the farm ranged from 13 to 31%, with some areas showing >50% food depletion. A food depletion model was developed to estimate the optimal mussel density required to maximize removal of excess phytoplankton. The model employed mussel clearance rate estimates derived from the observed magnitude of food depletion within the farm. Model results indicate that the mussel population filtration rate could be increased by 80 to 120% without any negative feedback on mussel growth. This could be accomplished by approximately doubling the standing stock of mussels in the farm, hence doubling the amount of nutrients removed at mussel harvest.
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spelling doaj.art-1bdc7a66746e46c89cd908ca809b51632022-12-21T20:48:35ZengInter-ResearchAquaculture Environment Interactions1869-215X1869-75342016-05-01831132910.3354/aei00175Magnitude, spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, DenmarkP Nielsen0PJ Cranford1M Maar2JK Petersen3DTU Aqua, Danish Shellfish Center, Øroddevej 80, 7900 Nykøbing Mors, DenmarkFisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, 1 Challenger Dr., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B4C 4C9, CanadaAarhus University, Department of Bioscience, PO Box 358, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, DenmarkDTU Aqua, Danish Shellfish Center, Øroddevej 80, 7900 Nykøbing Mors, DenmarkSuspended mussel aquaculture has been proposed as a possible mechanism by which to remove excess nutrients from eutrophic marine areas. In this study, seasonal mussel growth and water clarification (through seston and phytoplankton depletion) were studied at a commercial-scale nutrient extractive mussel farm in a highly eutrophic Danish fjord. Spatial variations in mussel biomass were examined throughout the year and no significant differences were detected within the farm. Food depletion by mussels was examined at spatial scales ranging from individuals to the entire farm and surrounding area. Phytoplankton depletion on the scale of individual mussel loops, determined using the siphon mimic approach, indicated between 27 and 44% depletion of chlorophyll a (chl a). Farm-scale depletion was detected and visualized based on intensive 3D spatial surveys of the distribution of chl a and total suspended particulate matter concentrations both inside and outside the farmed area. Average reductions in food supply within the farm ranged from 13 to 31%, with some areas showing >50% food depletion. A food depletion model was developed to estimate the optimal mussel density required to maximize removal of excess phytoplankton. The model employed mussel clearance rate estimates derived from the observed magnitude of food depletion within the farm. Model results indicate that the mussel population filtration rate could be increased by 80 to 120% without any negative feedback on mussel growth. This could be accomplished by approximately doubling the standing stock of mussels in the farm, hence doubling the amount of nutrients removed at mussel harvest.https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/aei/v8/p311-329/
spellingShingle P Nielsen
PJ Cranford
M Maar
JK Petersen
Magnitude, spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark
Aquaculture Environment Interactions
title Magnitude, spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark
title_full Magnitude, spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark
title_fullStr Magnitude, spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark
title_full_unstemmed Magnitude, spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark
title_short Magnitude, spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark
title_sort magnitude spatial scale and optimization of ecosystem services from a nutrient extraction mussel farm in the eutrophic skive fjord denmark
url https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/aei/v8/p311-329/
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