View in EDS

Novel use of the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, as an early-warning indicator to identify climate change ambiguity in aquatic environments using freshwater finfish farming as a case study.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	Novel use of the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, as an early-warning indicator to identify climate change ambiguity in aquatic environments using freshwater finfish farming as a case study.
Authors:	O'Neill, Emer A.¹ (AUTHOR) e.oneill@research.ait.ie, Rowan, Neil J. (AUTHOR), Fogarty, Andrew M. (AUTHOR)
Source:	Science of the Total Environment. Nov2019, Vol. 692, p209-218. 10p.
Abstract:	Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food producing industries in the world. This dramatic increase in growth has raised many environmental concerns. Evaluation of fish farm effluent is frequently assessed by physicochemical parameters. This approach indicates potential degradation caused by the effluent and not cumulative effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated relationships between physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen and suspended solids), typically used to assess water quality with the Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata algal bioassay, which evaluated the potential ecotoxicological effects that freshwater fish farm effluent has on its receiving ecosystems and organisms. Influent and effluent samples were collected from a freshwater farm facility every two weeks from April 2018 to October 2018 in the Republic of Ireland. This monitoring period coincided with one of the warmest and driest periods recorded by meteorological stations in the Republic of Ireland. Physicochemical analyses were found to be similar to those in other farm studies. After exposure of algae to the effluent, stimulation of algal growth rates increased by >50%. This stimulation was observed during periods of increased temperatures which were as a result of heat wave and drought conditions experienced during monitoring. Correlation studies identified a moderately strong relationship between algal stimulation and temperature (r = −0.619). This study discovered that removal of Lemna minor (aquatic plant), impacted strongly on the freshwater farm pond-process to cope with nitrates. The constructed wetland system was unable to efficiently treat nitrates and phosphates during conditions of drought. These findings indicate that standard water quality parameters may not be applicable to inform appropriate suitability of fish farm effluent for discharge to receiving water. The research conducted in this study has suggested a potential toolbox that includes P. subcapitata may provide an early warning system for adverse effects as a result of climate change. Unlabelled Image • Fish farm effluent monitored using algal bioassay and physicochemical parameters. • Alga (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), more responsive model than physicochemical parameters alone. • Standard water quality parameters are not applicable to fish farm wastewater. • Duckweed and constructed wetlands were under appreciated in wastewater treatment. • Alga demonstrated potential use as early warning system for climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Science of the Total Environment is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food producing industries in the world. This dramatic increase in growth has raised many environmental concerns. Evaluation of fish farm effluent is frequently assessed by physicochemical parameters. This approach indicates potential degradation caused by the effluent and not cumulative effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated relationships between physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen and suspended solids), typically used to assess water quality with the Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata algal bioassay, which evaluated the potential ecotoxicological effects that freshwater fish farm effluent has on its receiving ecosystems and organisms. Influent and effluent samples were collected from a freshwater farm facility every two weeks from April 2018 to October 2018 in the Republic of Ireland. This monitoring period coincided with one of the warmest and driest periods recorded by meteorological stations in the Republic of Ireland. Physicochemical analyses were found to be similar to those in other farm studies. After exposure of algae to the effluent, stimulation of algal growth rates increased by >50%. This stimulation was observed during periods of increased temperatures which were as a result of heat wave and drought conditions experienced during monitoring. Correlation studies identified a moderately strong relationship between algal stimulation and temperature (r = −0.619). This study discovered that removal of Lemna minor (aquatic plant), impacted strongly on the freshwater farm pond-process to cope with nitrates. The constructed wetland system was unable to efficiently treat nitrates and phosphates during conditions of drought. These findings indicate that standard water quality parameters may not be applicable to inform appropriate suitability of fish farm effluent for discharge to receiving water. The research conducted in this study has suggested a potential toolbox that includes P. subcapitata may provide an early warning system for adverse effects as a result of climate change. Unlabelled Image • Fish farm effluent monitored using algal bioassay and physicochemical parameters. • Alga (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), more responsive model than physicochemical parameters alone. • Standard water quality parameters are not applicable to fish farm wastewater. • Duckweed and constructed wetlands were under appreciated in wastewater treatment. • Alga demonstrated potential use as early warning system for climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	00489697
DOI:	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.243