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Oxygen and ammonium dynamics during a farming cycle of the bivalve Tapes philippinarum

Oxygen and ammonium dynamics during a farming cycle of the bivalve Tapes philippinarum Fluxes of dissolved oxygen and ammonium across the water sediment interface were measured in a control and in an experimental area farmed with the clam Tapes philippinarum. Young clams were seeded in March 2003 at mean (~500 ind m−2) and high (~1500 ind m−2) densities in a sandy area (2100 m2) of the Sacca di Goro Lagoon, Italy. Approximately every two months, until October 2003, intact sediment cores were collected and incubated in the light and in the dark and surface sediments (0–2 cm) were analysed for organic matter and nitrogen content. Clams farming induced pronounced changes in sediment characteristics and metabolism. Oxygen consumption and ammonium production at the high density area were, on average, 3 to 4 and 1.9 to 4.9 folds higher than those measured in the control field respectively; rates were positively correlated with clams biomass. Experimental fields resulted “Net and Total Heterotrophyc” in 3 out of 4 sampling dates and clams were the major factor shifting the benthic system towards this status. In only one occasion the appearance of the macroalgae Ulva spp. pushed the system rapidly towards hyperautotrophic conditions. Our results indicated that clams have the potential to drive benthic metabolism in farmed areas and to sustain macroalgal growth through regeneration of a limiting nutrient for seawater as inorganic N. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Hydrobiologia Springer Journals

Oxygen and ammonium dynamics during a farming cycle of the bivalve Tapes philippinarum

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References (37)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 by Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Subject
Life Sciences; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Ecology; Zoology
ISSN
0018-8158
eISSN
1573-5117
DOI
10.1007/s10750-007-0683-9
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Fluxes of dissolved oxygen and ammonium across the water sediment interface were measured in a control and in an experimental area farmed with the clam Tapes philippinarum. Young clams were seeded in March 2003 at mean (~500 ind m−2) and high (~1500 ind m−2) densities in a sandy area (2100 m2) of the Sacca di Goro Lagoon, Italy. Approximately every two months, until October 2003, intact sediment cores were collected and incubated in the light and in the dark and surface sediments (0–2 cm) were analysed for organic matter and nitrogen content. Clams farming induced pronounced changes in sediment characteristics and metabolism. Oxygen consumption and ammonium production at the high density area were, on average, 3 to 4 and 1.9 to 4.9 folds higher than those measured in the control field respectively; rates were positively correlated with clams biomass. Experimental fields resulted “Net and Total Heterotrophyc” in 3 out of 4 sampling dates and clams were the major factor shifting the benthic system towards this status. In only one occasion the appearance of the macroalgae Ulva spp. pushed the system rapidly towards hyperautotrophic conditions. Our results indicated that clams have the potential to drive benthic metabolism in farmed areas and to sustain macroalgal growth through regeneration of a limiting nutrient for seawater as inorganic N.

Journal

Hydrobiologia – Springer Journals

Published: Feb 9, 2007

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