Water column production and nutrient characteristics in mangrove creeks receiving shrimp farm effluent |
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| Authors: | A D McKinnon L A Trott D M Alongi & A Davidson |
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| Institution: | Australian Institute of Marine Science, P.M.B. no. 3, Townsville M.C., Queensland 4810, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Water column processes in undisturbed mangrove creeks and in creeks receiving effluent from shrimp farms in North Queensland, Australia, were studied. Small scale discharges into tidal creeks did not elevate dissolved nutrient concentrations compared with non‐impacted creeks, but did elevate concentrations of particulate nutrients, chlorophyll and suspended solids proximal to the site of the effluent discharge. Rates of primary and bacterial production downstream from the discharge exceeded rates in the shrimp ponds because of the synergistic effects of turbulent mixing and eutrophication. In the lower reaches of the mangrove creeks and immediately offshore, standing stocks of particulate material and rates of primary and bacterial production were within the range of values found in non‐discharge areas. Our results suggest that water column production by phytoplankton and bacteria strips nutrients from shrimp farm effluent and repackages them in more bioavailable forms. |
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