Impacts of biodeposits from suspended mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) culture on the surrounding surficial sediments

Abstract

The effects of increased sedimentation on the macrobenthic community, physical structure, and biogeochemistry of the surficial sediment around two farms in southwest Ireland were examined in conjunction with current characteristics. Both farms had been in production for over eight years, were of reasonably large size (>100 MT) and located in low-energy environments. At one site, the benthic community was subjected to bulk sedimentation and organic enrichment and reduced macrobenthic infaunal diversity and elevated levels of organic carbon were recorded close to the farm. In general, effects were restricted to a radius of 40 m around the farm. Conversely, at the second site, there were no observed effects of mussel biodeposits on the benthos and a diverse macrobenthic community persisted. We propose that variations in the dispersion of biodeposits caused by local current patterns had a significant influence on the impact observed, and that this could also account for differences reported in other studies. 2001 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

Effects of shellfish farming on the benthic environment

“…Our results are similar to those described by Chamberlain et al (2001) in southwest Ireland at their site 1, where there were minimal effects of longline mussel culture on the benthic fauna under the farm. In contrast, their second farm site had elevated levels of organic enrichment and reduced macrobenthic infaunal diversity.…”

“…In contrast, their second farm site had elevated levels of organic enrichment and reduced macrobenthic infaunal diversity. Although Chamberlain et al (2001) proposed that the differences between their two sites was largely because of different current patterns, the currents were relatively low at both sites. It is more likely that the larger level of production over a longer period of time at site 2 had a significant influence on the impact observed.…”

Influence of filtering and biodeposition by the cultured scallop Chlamys farreri on benthic-pelagic coupling in a eutrophic bay in China

“…7). This is in agreement with other studies (Grant et al 1995, Chamberlain et al 2001, Crawford et al 2003. Although a shift toward anaerobic metabolism at bivalve culture sites may exist, the impact of the build-up of discarded cultured organisms, and fouling algae or ascidians beneath longline culture sites, is more noticeable than any impacts from bivalve biodeposition (Grant et al 1995, Zhou 2000, Stenton-Dozey et al 2001.…”

Local enhancement of epibenthic macrofauna by aquaculture activities

“…Many authors have reported lower diversity of infaunal species (e.g. Mattsson & Linden 1983, Chamberlain et al 2001, Hartstein & Rowden 2004, often a result of increased abundance and dominance of opportunistic species such as polychaetes (e.g. Mattsson & Linden 1983, Chamberlain et al 2001, Hartstein & Rowden 2004, Callier et al 2007).…”

“…Mattsson & Linden 1983, Chamberlain et al 2001, Hartstein & Rowden 2004, often a result of increased abundance and dominance of opportunistic species such as polychaetes (e.g. Mattsson & Linden 1983, Chamberlain et al 2001, Hartstein & Rowden 2004, Callier et al 2007). In contrast, other studies have shown either a neutral (Crawford et al 2003, Danovaro et al 2004 or positive (Callier et al 2008) effect of shellfish aquaculture on meiofaunal or infaunal biomass and diversity.…”