Potential use of two fouling species (Amphibalanus amphitrite and Saccostrea cucullata) to prevent shrimp farm-induced coastal eutrophication

Abstract

Fouling species display characteristics that make them suitable options for bioremediation of aquaculture effluents. We studied the potential use of two fouling species (Amphibalanus amphitrite and Saccostrea cucullata) in remediation of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farm wastewaters. Their abilities, individually and in combination, in reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and phytoplankton (chlorophyll a) from effluents at three densities and three retention times (1, 3, 6 h) were investigated. The results showed that all treatments, specifically oysters, could effectively reduce nutrients and plankton concentrations. Oysters reduced total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a to 60.7%, 55.6%, and 7.6% of the initial contents at the high density (i.e. 0.80 oyster L−1) after 6 h. Barnacles and the combined use of both species, however, showed remarkably lower efficiencies. Our results demonstrated that oysters could potentially be used to improve water quality of shrimp farm effluents especially in the areas where oysters can be easily collected or cultured.