Quantification of in situ nutrient and heavy metal remediation by a small pearl oyster (Pinctada imbricata) farm at Port Stephens, Australia

S Gifford; H Dunstan; Wayne A O'Connor; G R Macfarlane

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.11.024

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Quantification of in situ nutrient and heavy metal remediation by a small pearl oyster (Pinctada imbricata) farm at Port Stephens, Australia

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Quantification of in situ nutrient and heavy metal remediation by a small pearl oyster (Pinctada imbricata) farm at Port Stephens, Australia

S Gifford, H Dunstan, Wayne A O'Connor and G R Macfarlane

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol.50(4), pp.417-422

2005

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.11.024

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Abstract

aquaculture

bioremediation

eutrophication

metal

nutrient cycling

pinctada

ecosystems

heavy metals

nutrition

phosphorus

pollution

tissue

water

coastal ecosystems

heavy metal contents

pearl oysters

pollutants

biodiversity

heavy metal

The use of pearl oysters has recently been proposed as an environmental remediation tool in coastal ecosystems. This study quantified the nitrogen, phosphorus and heavy metal content of the tissue and shell of pearl oysters harvested from a small pearl oyster farm at Port Stephens, Australia. Each tonne of pearl oyster material harvested resulted in approximately 703 g metals, 7452 g nitrogen, and 545 g phosphorus being removed from the waters of Port Stephens. Increasing current farm production of 9.8 t yr -1 to 499 t yr -1 would balance current nitrogen loads entering Port Stephens from a small Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) located on its southern shores. Furthermore, manipulation of harvest dates to coincide with oyster condition would likely remove substantially greater quantities of nutrients. This study demonstrates that pearl aquaculture may be used to assist in the removal of pollutants from coastal waters while producing a commercially profitable commodity. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Details

Title: Quantification of in situ nutrient and heavy metal remediation by a small pearl oyster (Pinctada imbricata) farm at Port Stephens, Australia
Authors: S Gifford (Author) - University of Newcastle
H Dunstan (Author) - University of Newcastle
Wayne A O'Connor (Author) - Port Stephens Fisheries Centre
G R Macfarlane (Author) - University of Newcastle
Publication details: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol.50(4), pp.417-422
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Date published: 2005
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.11.024
ISSN: 0025-326X
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450463002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Biology

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