Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8884932 | Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science | 2018 | 31 Pages |
Abstract
This paper provides the first diagnosis of the impact of mussel farming on the primary production (PP) and the metabolic balance in a coastal upwelling region (RÃa de Vigo). Measurements of size-fractionated PP and microbial plankton metabolism were performed outside (reference station; ReS) and inside the farming area (raft station; RaS). At ReS, integrated PP was higher during upwelling (1.05â¯Â±â¯0.45â¯gâ¯C mâ2 dâ1) with microphytoplankton dominating carbon fixation (74â¯Â±â¯14%). The significance of nanophytoplankton and picophytoplankton increased during winter linked to lower PP (0.24â¯Â±â¯0.03â¯gâ¯C mâ2 dâ1). Water column at ReS was always autotrophic with net community production (NCP) ranging from 186â¯Â±â¯67â¯mmol O2 mâ2 dâ1 during upwelling to 43â¯Â±â¯22â¯mmol O2 mâ2 dâ1 in winter. At RaS, there was a decrease in PP attributable not only to mussel consumption but also to the lower irradiance under mussel rafts. Concomitant decrease in NCP was also observed (by 56%), yet remained autotrophic, supporting the view that under current conditions food does not limit mussel growth in the RÃa, thus securing the carrying capacity of the system in terms of production.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Geology
Authors
MarÃa Froján, Carmen G. Castro, Diana Zúñiga, Belén Arbones, Fernando Alonso-Pérez, Francisco G. Figueiras,