Impact of pond aquaculture effluents on seagrass performance in NE Hainan, tropical China
Lucia S. Herbeck
Miriam Sollich
Daniela Unger
Marianne Holmer
Tim C. Jennerjahn
Abstract
The impact of pond aquaculture effluents on the distribution and performance of seagrasses was examined in NE Hainan, tropical China. Samples were taken along transects in three back-reef areas with different extent of aquaculture production in their hinterland. High δ15N in seagrass leaves and epiphytes (6–9‰) similar to values in pond effluents documented aquaculture as dominant nitrogen source in the back-reefs with decreasing impact with distance from shore. Seagrass species abundance, shoot density and biomass were lower and concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll and suspended matter were higher at nearshore sites with high and moderate pond abundance than at the control site. High epiphyte loads and low δ34S in seagrass leaves suggest temporal shading and sulphide poisoning of the nearshore seagrasses. Observed gradients in environmental parameters and seagrass performance indicate that the distance from the pond outlets and size of the adjacent pond agglomeration are major determinants of seagrass degradation.
Herbeck L.S., Sollich M., Unger D., Holmer M. and Jennerjahn T.C. (2014) Impact of pond aquaculture effluents on seagrass performance in NE Hainan, tropical China. Marine Pollution Bulletin 85(1): 190-203. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.050
@article{Herbeck2014,
Title = {Impact of pond aquaculture effluents on seagrass performance in NE Hainan, tropical China},
Author = {Herbeck, Lucia S. and Sollich, Miriam and Unger, Daniela and Holmer, Marianne and Jennerjahn, Tim C.},
Editor = {},
Journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},
Year = {2014},
Pages = {190-203},
Volume = {85},
Doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.050},
Abstract = {The impact of pond aquaculture effluents on the distribution and performance of seagrasses was examined in NE Hainan, tropical China. Samples were taken along transects in three back-reef areas with different extent of aquaculture production in their hinterland. High δ15N in seagrass leaves and epiphytes (6–9‰) similar to values in pond effluents documented aquaculture as dominant nitrogen source in the back-reefs with decreasing impact with distance from shore. Seagrass species abundance, shoot density and biomass were lower and concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll and suspended matter were higher at nearshore sites with high and moderate pond abundance than at the control site. High epiphyte loads and low δ34S in seagrass leaves suggest temporal shading and sulphide poisoning of the nearshore seagrasses. Observed gradients in environmental parameters and seagrass performance indicate that the distance from the pond outlets and size of the adjacent pond agglomeration are major determinants of seagrass degradation.},
}
TY - JOUR
AU - Herbeck, Lucia S.
AU - Sollich, Miriam
AU - Unger, Daniela
AU - Holmer, Marianne
AU - Jennerjahn, Tim C.
TI - Impact of pond aquaculture effluents on seagrass performance in NE Hainan, tropical China
T2 - Marine Pollution Bulletin
PY - 2014
SP - 190-203
VL - 85
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.050
AB - The impact of pond aquaculture effluents on the distribution and performance of seagrasses was examined in NE Hainan, tropical China. Samples were taken along transects in three back-reef areas with different extent of aquaculture production in their hinterland. High δ15N in seagrass leaves and epiphytes (6–9‰) similar to values in pond effluents documented aquaculture as dominant nitrogen source in the back-reefs with decreasing impact with distance from shore. Seagrass species abundance, shoot density and biomass were lower and concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll and suspended matter were higher at nearshore sites with high and moderate pond abundance than at the control site. High epiphyte loads and low δ34S in seagrass leaves suggest temporal shading and sulphide poisoning of the nearshore seagrasses. Observed gradients in environmental parameters and seagrass performance indicate that the distance from the pond outlets and size of the adjacent pond agglomeration are major determinants of seagrass degradation.
ER -
