Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (1): 91-98.doi: 10.11978/2020099CSTR: 32234.14.2020099

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of the decomposition of Gracilaria lemaneiformis on seawater quality

DAI Xiaojuan1(), HU Ren1, LUO Hongtian1,2, WANG Qing1,2, HU Xiaojuan1,3, BAI Mindong4, YANG Yufeng1,2()   

  1. 1. Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
    2. Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Zhuhai 519080, China
    3. South China Sea Fisheries Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China
    4. College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
  • Received:2020-09-02 Revised:2020-11-25 Online:2021-01-10 Published:2020-11-19
  • Contact: YANG Yufeng E-mail:daixiaojuanstu@163.com;tyyf@jnu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(41977268)

Abstract:

Large-scale cultivation of seaweed Gracilaria lemaneiformis has important economic and environmental benefits. However, the litter decomposition of the seaweed may affect water quality in the cultivation area and its adjacent waters. To investigate the effects of the decomposition of G. lemaneiformis on water quality, a decomposition experiment was carried out for 45 days. The results showed that the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) reduced 82.81% in the dried seaweed group compared with the control group, and the concentrations of total nitrogen and phosphorus increased 161.78% and 759.93%, respectively. While DO concentrations in the treatment of fresh seaweed+seawater+sediment (FWS) continuously decreased from 5.56mg·L-1 to 0.26mg·L-1 from Day 0 to 21, and then gradually recovered to the control level at the end of the experiment. Significantly increase of nitrogen (36.65%) and phosphorus (177.80%) concentrations in water bodies were also observed in FWS treatment in the mid-late period of the experiment. Meanwhile, the change curves of nitrogen and phosphorus in fresh seaweed treatment were slower and gentler than those of the dried seaweed treatment. The nutrients release rates of fresh seaweed were lower than those of dried seaweed during the litter decomposition process. Sediment promoted the decomposition of fresh seaweed and the release rates of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, but had opposite effects on dried seaweed. The weight loss rate and the decomposition rate and the nutrients release rates of G. lemaneiformis followed a descending order of dried seaweed+seawater treatment (DW), dried seaweed+seawater+sediment treatment (DWS), fresh seaweed+seawater+sediment treatment (FWS), and fresh seaweed+seawater treatment (FW). To avoid secondary pollution to the sea water, we suggest that shedding or senescent algae be removed in time during the large-scale cultivation period, and the harvested seaweed should be properly deposed.

Key words: macroalgae, Gracilaria lemaneiformis decomposition, litter, nutrient, sediments

CLC Number: 

  • P735.12