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Fish Farming Effects on Chemical and Microbial Variables of the Water Column: A Spatio-temporal Study Along the Mediterranean Sea

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Abstract

The effects of fish farming on chemical and biological variables of the water column were investigated in three coastal locations along the Mediterranean (Spain, Italy and Greece). Analyses of nutrients, chlorophyll a, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PON), heterotrophic bacteria and cyanobacteria (Synechococcus) were carried out on integrated samples (0–30 m depth) taken at various distances from fish farms and the respective reference sites. At one of these sites, water samples were collected by means of Niskin bottles at 09:00, 13:00 and 16:00 h and at three different depths (0 m, 10 m and bottom). Integrated sampling showed no significant changes with distance in any of the variables measured, whereas all variables except PON showed significant changes between the three locations studied. However, changes were found in samples taken by Niskin bottles, with increased concentrations of NH +4 , POC, PON and decreased cyanobacteria densities at the surface layer in the immediate vicinity of the cages. Samples taken at the cages in the afternoon showed increased PO 3− 4 concentrations in comparison to those taken in the morning. Dilution and grazing are probably both responsible for the lack of detectable signs of eutrophication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, P.O. Box 2214, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    P. Pitta, E. T. Apostolaki, T. Tsagaraki & M. Tsapakis

  2. Department of Biology, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 71409, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    I. Karakassis

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  1. P. Pitta
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  2. E. T. Apostolaki
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  3. T. Tsagaraki
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  4. M. Tsapakis
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  5. I. Karakassis
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Correspondence to P. Pitta.

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Pitta, P., Apostolaki, E.T., Tsagaraki, T. et al. Fish Farming Effects on Chemical and Microbial Variables of the Water Column: A Spatio-temporal Study Along the Mediterranean Sea. Hydrobiologia 563, 99–108 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1593-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1593-3

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