To assess the spatial distribution of nutrient wastes around an open-water integrated fish/mollusk/kelp farm in-situ kelp bioassays were employed. Growth rates were measured over a four-month growing season and used as a proxy for relative nutrient concentrations. Seasonality and depth effects on growth rate were also assessed. Growth around the pens was 0.20 cm • day-1 higher than at the control, and reached a maximum of 1.4 cm • day-1. Optimal growth was achieved at 8 m. Growth at 8 m was significantly higher by 1.5 cm • day-1 compared to surface waters at 2 m. Early spring had the highest growth rates with a peak of 1.4 cm • day-1 recorded on June 21. This study re-iterates the fundamental benefits of IMTA and shows the potential of in-situ assay as an alternative to error-prone and costly water sampling to asses nutrient status in water. / Graduate
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uvic.ca/oai:dspace.library.uvic.ca:1828/3998 |
| Date | 25 May 2012 |
| Creators | Prussin, Emrys Adain |
| Contributors | Cross, Stephen Fredrick |
| Source Sets | University of Victoria |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Available to the World Wide Web |
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