AEI 5:29-47 (2014)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00092

ABSTRACT: Along the Norwegian coastline, it is predicted that salmonid aquaculture will rapidly expand in the coming years, exceeding current production levels of 1.3 million t in 2012. This will result in increased interactions with both local and regional environments, thus more knowledge is urgently needed to better risk-manage a rapid expansion. We investigated changes in the benthic sediment condition in association with an Atlantic salmon farm sited at a deep, well-flushed coastal site in western Norway. Benthic fluxes of O₂, total carbon dioxide (TCO₂) and NH₄⁺ intensified over the production cycle, when farming activity and the sedimentation of carbon and nitrogen was at its maximum. During the sampling campaign, benthic fluxes of O₂, TCO₂ and NH₄⁺ at the farming location were higher than those measured at a nearby reference location. Stimulation of benthic fluxes over the production cycle at the farming location were most likely driven by changes in benthic faunal community structure, abundance and biomass. High abundances of opportunistic species (i.e. Capitella capitata, Heteromastus filiformis, Paramphinome jeffreysii, Abra nitida and Thyasira sarsii) dominated the farming location, whilst the sediment biogeochemistry was stable throughout the study period at both locations. However, despite differences in benthic fluxes and fauna structure over the production cycle, the input of organic carbon and nitrogen did not exceed the mineralisation capacity of a deep, well-flushed, fish farming location.

KEY WORDS: Atlantic salmon · Salmo salar · Sulphate reduction rates · Benthic impact · Organic enrichment · Sediment metabolism · Aquaculture · Fauna diversity

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Cite this article as: Bannister RJ, Valdemarsen T, Hansen PK, Holmer M, Ervik A (2014) Changes in benthic sediment conditions under an Atlantic salmon farm at a deep, well-flushed coastal site. Aquacult Environ Interact 5:29-47. https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00092 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn