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Bioremediation efficiency of Palmaria palmata and Ulva lactuca for use in a fully recirculated cold-seawater naturalistic exhibit: effect of high NO3 and PO4 concentrations and temperature on growth and nutrient uptake

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Abstract

The bioremediation capacities of Palmaria palmata and Ulva lactuca for removing dissolved nutrients in a cold-seawater fully recirculated ecosystemic representation of an estuarine aquatic habitat were evaluated. The seaweeds were cultured in the laboratory based on environmental conditions observed in a large-scale aquarium representing the marine ecosystem of the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence (Québec, Canada), i.e., salinity of 24 PSU, 5 and 10 °C, and under three combinations of high nitrate (NO3 −) and phosphate (PO4 3−) concentrations (2865:195, 3570:242, and 4284: 291 μM). Neither nutrient levels nor temperature significantly changed nitrate and phosphate uptake rates (0.65 ± 0.15 and 1.76 ± 0.59 mg N gDW−1 day−1 and 0.14 ± 0.11 and 0.32 ± 0.21 mg P gDW−1 day−1 for P. palmata and U. lactuca, respectively). Growth rate of P. palmata was independent of temperature and nutrient concentrations with a mean of 0.64 ± 0.18% FW day−1. Ulva lactuca expressed its highest growth rate (2.81 ± 0.72% FW day−1) at 10 °C and intermediate nutrient concentration. C/N ratio was < 10 for both species before and after the experiment, indicating tissue nutrient enrichment possibly limiting nutrient uptake and growth. Under cold temperatures and high dissolved nutrient concentrations, U. lactuca is the leading candidate for bioremediation.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the research and training organization MITACS (Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems), SABM (Société des Amis du Biodôme de Montréal), FAP (Fonds d’amorçage de partenariat), and NSERC (National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada). The authors would like to thank the technical support from ÉPAQ (École des Pêches et de l’Aquaculture du Québec), the Université Laval, and the Biodôme de Montréal staff members.

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  1. Division des Collections Vivantes et de la Recherche, Biodôme de Montréal, Espace pour la vie, 4777, Ave. Pierre-De Coubertin, Montréal, QC, H1V 1B3, Canada

    A. Tremblay-Gratton, J.-C. Boussin & Nathalie R. Le François

  2. Département des Sciences animales, Université Laval, QC, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada

    A. Tremblay-Gratton & G. W. Vandenberg

  3. École des pêches et de l’aquaculture du Québec, Grande-Rivière, QC, G0C 1V0, Canada

    É. Tamigneaux

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  1. A. Tremblay-Gratton
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Tremblay-Gratton, A., Boussin, JC., Tamigneaux, É. et al. Bioremediation efficiency of Palmaria palmata and Ulva lactuca for use in a fully recirculated cold-seawater naturalistic exhibit: effect of high NO3 and PO4 concentrations and temperature on growth and nutrient uptake. J Appl Phycol 30, 1295–1304 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-017-1333-x

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