Assessment of the Ecological Impacts of Two Shrimp Farms in Southern Belize

Shrimp;Aquaculture;Stable Isotope;Periphyton;Natural Resources and Environment

Ledwin, SeanScavia, Donald ;

University of Michigan

关键词: Shrimp;    Aquaculture;    Stable Isotope;    Periphyton;    Natural Resources and Environment;   

Others  :  https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/69235/Sean_Ledwin_Thesis_Final-_4-18.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: The Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship

【 摘 要 】

This study assessed the ecological impacts of the Belize Aquaculture Ltd (BAL) and Aquamar shrimp farms in southern Belize. Water and in situ periphyton samples (measuring nitrogen content, δ15N, carbon/nitrogen ratios, and growth) indicated that shrimp farm effluent was influencing receiving waterways. At BAL, periphyton sampling showed significant elevation of nitrogen content, δ15N, and growth within the group of sites below the effluent release creeks. Compared to other BAL sampling sites, nitrate, phosphate, and TSS were the highest and DO the lowest at sample sites in Santa Maria Creek, the major effluent release point at BAL. Seagrass distribution decreased significantly in the middle portion of Placencia Lagoon between 2003 and 2007, coinciding with increased nutrient loading from BAL and adjacent development in the area. At Aquamar, sampling showed significantly higher δ15N and significantly lower carbon/nitrogen ratios within the group of sites closest to the effluent source (<2500 m). Compared to other Aquamar sampling sites, Nitrate and TSS were highest and DO lowest in Plantation Creek, the major effluent release point at Aquamar. The suite of parameters used in this study helped elucidate the magnitude and extent of the influence of shrimp farm effluent on the two receiving waterways. The results of this study also revealed the strengths and weaknesses of this novel periphyton bioindicator protocol as an effluent monitoring tool.