Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2018, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1): 37-44.doi: 10.11978/2017037CSTR: 32234.14.2017037

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Influence of aquaculture of Sipunculus nudus on sediment

Junwei LI1(), Xiaoyong XIE1, Yongjian GUO1, Changbo ZHU1(), Suwen CHEN1, Xian DING1, Ting LI1, Zhenguo CHEN2   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization of Ministry of Agriculture of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China;
    2. Bihaiwan Aquatic Science and Technology Company, Limitid, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524000, China
  • Received:2017-04-05 Revised:2017-06-22 Online:2018-01-20 Published:2018-02-02
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China (41606137);Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2015A030310260, 2015A030313855);Marine Fishery Science and Technology Industry Projects from Guangdong Province (B201601-01);Scientific Research Funds for Central Non-profit Institutes, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute (2013ZD01);Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment (LFE-2016-9)

Abstract:

To study the effects of culturing and proliferation of Sipunculus nudus on tidal flat sediment, we carried out an investigation in a culturing zone located in Suixi, Beibu Gulf, China in spring and autumn 2016. The organic matter content (OM), grain size and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of the sediment were determined in the S group (Sipunculus nudus monoculture), P group (polyculture of S. nudus and Meretrix lyrata) and C group (blank zone without S. nudus). The OM and fine sand of the layer (20~30 cm) in the S group accumulated obviously, but only the surface layer (0~3 cm) in the C group had a similar tendency, which indicated that S. nudus can migrate down the surface sediment, and the migration depth was about 20~30 cm in the tidal flat. The ORP of the pore water in the C group had no significant decrease, and most of the layers in the S group had similar changing trends except that the layer of 10~20 cm decreased to some extent, which indicated that the culture of S. nudus in tidal flat will not result in significant deterioration of sediment. The OM and fine sand of the five layers in the P group increased significantly than those in the S and C groups, which indicated that the Meretrix lyrata had strong filter feeding and deposition ability, and the bioturbation of S. nudus can accelerate the migration of OM and fine sand. The ORP value of the two layers (0~3, 3~10 cm) in the P group decreased significantly than that in the S group (p<0.05), and the results indicated that the high density of Meretrix lyrata will result in significant deterioration of their habitat. S. nudus can migrate down and bury surface organic matter, and M. lyrata can promote the deposition of particulate matter; the complementary functions of the two animals help improve the nutrient utilization and carbon sequestration function of the tidal flat.

Key words: Sipunculus nudus Linnaeus, Meretrix lyrata, culturing, sediment

CLC Number: 

  • P735.12