Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bioremediation potential of Palmaria palmata and Chondrus crispus (Basin Head): effect of nitrate and ammonium ratio as nitrogen source on nutrient removal

  • Published:
Journal of Applied Phycology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Palmaria palmata and Chondrus crispus were grown for 4 weeks in 1-L flasks at 10 °C to evaluate nutrient uptake and their potential application as nutrient biofilters in effluent from finfish culture. For greatest bioremediation benefit within an integrated system, we conclude that a seaweed biofilter using these species should be placed prior to bacterial biofiltration for exposure to greater proportions of ammonium than nitrate, though it is apparent that the productivity of both species is not influenced by the nitrogen source. Five combinations of ammonium– and nitrate–nitrogen were compared, each with a total N concentration of 300 μM (300:0, 270:30, 150:150, 30:270, 0:300). Molar nitrogen/phosphorus ratio was 10:1. The maximum growth rates were 8.9 and 6.0 % per day for P. palmata and C. crispus, respectively. For both species, the total nitrogen uptake was highest at 300 μM ammonium, 4.46 mgN gDW−1 day−1 for P. palmata and 3.40 mg N  g DW−1 day−1 for C. crispus. Over a 24-h period, 23–37 % of the available nitrate and 91–100 % of the available ammonium were taken up by P. palmata. In the same period, C. crispus took up 55–87 % of available nitrate and 89–100 % of ammonium. Tissue N in P. palmata was highest (4.1 %) at 270 and 300 μM ammonium, while the nitrogen source did not have a significant effect on the tissue N of C. crispus (mean of 4.6 %).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abreu MA, Pereira R, Buschmann AH, Sousa-Pinto I (2011) Nitrogen uptake responses of Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Ohmi) Papenfuss under combined and single addition of nitrate and ammonium. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 407:190–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barsanti L, Gualtieri P (2006) Algae: anatomy, biochemistry, and biotechnology. CRC, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Buschmann AH, Mora OA, Gomez P, Bottger M, Buitano S, Retamaleo C, Vergara PA, Gutierrez A (1994) Gracilaria chilensis outdoor tank cultivation in Chile: use of land-based salmon culture effluents. Aquac Eng 13:283–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cahill PI, Hurd CL, Lokman M (2010) Keeping the water clean—seaweed biofiltration outperforms traditional bacterial biofilms in recirculating aquaculture. Aquaculture 306:153–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carmona R, Kraemer GP, Yarish C (2006) Exploring northeast American and Asian species of Porphyra for use in an integrated finfish–algal aquaculture system. Aquaculture 252:54–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chopin T, Wagey BT (1999) Factorial study of the effects of phosphorus and nitrogen enrichments on nutrient and carrageenan content in Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyceae) and on residual nutrient concentration in seawater. Bot Mar 42:23–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chopin T, Gallant T, Davison I (1995) Phosphorus and nitrogen nutrition in Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyta): effects on total phosphorus and nitrogen content, carrageenan production, and photosynthetic pigments and metabolism. J Phycol 31:283–293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corey P (2011) Nutrient removal by Palmaria palmata and Chondrus crispus in bioremediation of aquaculture effluent. MSc thesis, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

  • Corey P, Kim JK, Garbary DJ, Prithiviraj B, Duston J (2012) Cultivation of red macroalgae for potential integration with Atlantic halibut: effects of temperature and nitrate concentration on growth and nitrogen removal. J Appl Phycol 24:441–448

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Craigie JS (1990) Irish moss cultivation: some reflections. In: Yarish C, Penniman CA, Van Patten P (eds) Economically important plants of the Atlantic: their biology and cultivation. Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, Marine Sciences Institute, Groton

    Google Scholar 

  • Demetropoulos C, Langdon C (2004a) Pacific dulse (Palmaria mollis) as a food and biofilter in recirculated, land-based abalone culture systems. Aquac Eng 32:57–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demetropoulos CL, Langdon CJ (2004b) Enhanced production of Pacific dulse (Palmaria mollis) for co-culture with abalone in a land-based system: nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace metal nutrition. Aquaculture 235:433–455

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Demetropoulos CL, Langdon CJ (2004c) Enhanced production of Pacific dulse (Palmaria mollis) for co-culture with abalone in a land-based system: nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace metal nutrition. Aquaculture 235:433–455

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fortes MD, Lüning K (1980) Growth rates of North Sea macroalgae in relation to temperature, irradiance and photoperiod. Helgoländer Meeresun 34:15–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foss A, Imsland AK, Roth B, Schram E, Stefansson SO (2009) Effects of chronic and periodic exposure to ammonia on growth and blood physiology in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Aquaculture 296:45–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friedlander M, Dawes CJ (1985) In situ uptake kinetics of ammonium and phosphate and chemical composition of the red seaweed Gracilaria tikvahiae. J Phycol 21:448–453

    Google Scholar 

  • Guiry MD, Cunningham EM (1984) Photoperiodic and temperature responses in the reproduction of northeastern Atlantic Gigartina acicularis (Rhodophyta: Gigartinales). Phycologia 23:357–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haglund K, Pedersén M (1993) Outdoor pond cultivation of the subtropical marine red alga Gracilaria tenuistipitata in brackish water in Sweden. Growth, nutrient uptake, co-cultivation with rainbow trout and epiphyte control. J Appl Phycol 5:271–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison PJ, Hurd CL (2001) Nutrient physiology of seaweeds: application of concepts to aquaculture. Cah Biol Mar 42:71–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones MN (1984) Nitrate reduction by shaking with cadmium: alternative to cadmium columns. Water Resour 18:643–646

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JK, Kraemer GP, Neefus CD, Chung IK, Yarish C (2007) Effects of temperature and ammonium on growth, pigment production and nitrogen uptake by four species of Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) native to the New England coast. J Appl Phycol 19:431–440

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kübler JE, Raven JA (1995) The interaction between inorganic carbon acquisition and light supply in Palmaria palmata (Rhodophyta). J Phycol 31:369–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liddicoat MI, Tibbits S, Butler EI (1975) The determination of ammonia in seawater. Limnol Oceanogr 20:131–132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lobban CS, Harrison PJ (1997) Seaweed ecology and physiology. Cambridge University Press, New York

  • Lourenço SO, Barbarino E, De-Paula JC, da Otavio S, Pereira L, Marquez UML (2002) Amino acid composition, protein content and calculation of nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors for 19 tropical seaweeds. Phycol Res 50:233–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maestrini SY, Robert JM, Truquet I (1982) Simultaneous uptake of ammonium and nitrate by oyster-pond algae. Mar Biol Lett 3:143–153

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magnusson G, Axelsson L, Larsson C, Ryberg H (1994) A model for calculation of nutrient uptake capacity of seaweed in cultivation. Bot Mar 37:115–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez B, Rico JM (2004) Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous uptake kinetics in Palmaria palmata and Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyta). J Phycol 40:642–650

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matos J, Costa S, Rodrigues A, Pereira R, Pinto IS (2006) Experimental integrated aquaculture of fish and red seaweeds in Northern Portugal. Aquaculture 252:31–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan KC, Simpson FJ (1981a) Cultivation of Palmaria (Rhodymenia) palmata: effect of high concentrations of nitrate and ammonium on growth and nitrogen uptake. Aquat Bot 11:167–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan KC, Simpson FJ (1981b) The cultivation of Palmaria palmata. Effect of light intensity and temperature on growth and chemical composition. Bot Mar 24:547–552

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan KC, Shacklock PF, Simpson FJ (1980a) Some aspects of the culture of Palmaria palmata in greenhouse tanks. Bot Mar 23:765–770

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan KC, Wright JLC, Simpson FJ (1980b) Review of chemical constituents of the red alga Palmaria palmata (Dulse). Econ Bot 34:27–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Navarro-Angulo L, Robledo D (1999) Effects of nitrogen source, N:P ratio and N-pulse concentration and frequency on the growth of Gracilaria cornea (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) in culture. Hydrobiologia 398/399:315–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neish AC, Shacklock PF (1971) Greenhouse experiments on the propagation of strain T4 of Irish moss. Atlantic Regional Laboratory Technical Reports, Series, vol. 14, National Research Council of Canada

  • Neish AC, Shacklock PF, Fox CH, Simpson FJ (1977) The cultivation of Chondrus crispus. Factors affecting growth under greenhouse conditions. Can J Bot 55:2263–2271

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neori A, Chopin T, Troell M, Buschmann AH, Kraemer GP, Halling C, Shpigel M, Yarish C (2004) Integrated aquaculture: rationale, evolution and state of the art emphasizing seaweed biofiltration in modern mariculture. Aquaculture 231:361–391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang S, Lüning K (2004) Tank cultivation of the red alga Palmaria palmata: effects of intermittent light on growth rate, yield and growth kinetics. J Appl Phycol 16:93–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons TR, Maita Y, Lalli CM (1984) A manual of chemical and biological methods for seawater analysis. Pergamon, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Person-Le Ruyet J, Galland R, Le Roux A, Chartois H (1997) Chronic ammonia toxicity in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Aquaculture 154:155–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sagert S, Schubert H (2000) Acclimation of Palmaria palmata (Rhodophyta) to light intensity: comparison between artificial and natural light fields. J Phycol 36:1119–1128

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shacklock PF, Craigie JS (1986) Winter survival and growth of Chondrus crispus in onshore culture tanks. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 43:263–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Timmons MB, Ebeling JM, Wheaton FW, Summerfelt ST, Vinci BJ (2002) Recirculating aquaculture systems, 2nd edn. Cayuga Aqua Ventures, Ithaca

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank S. O’Leary, National Research Council for donation of Basin Head Chondrus, and Yichen Sun (Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture) for technical assistance. This work was funded by a Strategic Project Grant of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to JD, BP, and DJG, in collaboration with Scotian Halibut Ltd.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scotian Halibut Ltd, Wood’s Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, B0W 2E0

    Peter Corey

  2. Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, One University Place, Stamford, CT, USA

    Jang K. Kim

  3. Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, PO Box 550, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2N 5E3

    Jim Duston

  4. Department of Biology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2G 2W5

    David J. Garbary

  5. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2N 5E3

    Balakrishnan Prithiviraj

Authors
  1. Peter Corey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jang K. Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jim Duston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David J. Garbary
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Balakrishnan Prithiviraj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jim Duston.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Corey, P., Kim, J.K., Duston, J. et al. Bioremediation potential of Palmaria palmata and Chondrus crispus (Basin Head): effect of nitrate and ammonium ratio as nitrogen source on nutrient removal. J Appl Phycol 25, 1349–1358 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-9977-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-9977-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation