Physiological Responses of Porphyra yezoensis Ueda (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) Exposed to High Ammonium Effluent in a Seaweed-based Integrated Aquaculture System

Abstract

Porphyra yezoensis is known to act as a biofilter against nutrient-rich effluent in seaweed-based integrated aquaculture systems. However, few studies have examined its physiological status under such conditions. In this study, we estimated the photosynthetic activity of P. yezoensis by chlorophyll fluorescence of PSII (<TEX>${\Delta}F/F'm$</TEX> and relative <TEX>$ETR_{max}$</TEX>) using the Diving-PAM fluorometer (Walz, Germany). In addition, bioremediation capacity, tissue nutrients, and C:N ratio of P. yezoensis were investigated. The ammonium concentration in seawater of seaweed tank 4 decreased from <TEX>$72.1{\pm}2.2$</TEX> to <TEX>$33.8{\pm}0.4{\mu}M$</TEX> after 24 hours. This indicates the potential role of P. yezoensis in removing around 43% of ammonium from the effluents. Tissue carbon contents in P. yezoensis were constant during the experimental period, while nitrogen contents had increased slightly by 24 hours. In comparison with the initial values, the <TEX>${\Delta}F/F'm$</TEX> and <TEX>$rETR_{max}$</TEX> of P. yezoensis had increased by about 20 and 40%, respectively, after 24 hours. This indicates that P. yezoensis condition improved or remained constant. These results suggest that chlorophyll fluorescence is a powerful tool in evaluating the physiological status of seaweeds in a seaweed-based integrated aquaculture system.