4 Aquaculture Methods for Use in Managing
Eutrophicated Waters
J. E. MERRILL
4.1 Introduction
Macroalgae (seaweeds) are important components of nearshore marine
and brackish water ecosystems throughout the world. Many macro algae are
highly productive, effectively utilizing solar energy to fix carbon into
biomass. In this process, they absorb nutrients and other substances from
the water, incorporating them into the thallus biomass. This biomass can
serve as habitat or food for fish, shellfish, or other organisms, and if
harvested can provide raw material for energy production, human food,
animal fodder and industrial feedstocks for chemical production (Chapman and Chapman, 1980; Waaland 1981; Guiry and Blunden 1991). A
considerable amount of recent attention has been focused on the problems
that can occur when blooms of these macro algae result from eutrophication
caused by wastewater discharge and agricultural runoff. In such circumstances, the macroalgal biomass can represent a significant nuisance,
impeding navigation, fouling recreational areas, and upsetting the ecological/biochemical balance in the marine system. Such problems, serious
now, are sure to become even worse in the future as populations expand and
industrialization spreads (Maurits la Riviere 1989). In spite of these
negative effects, the environmental benefits of macroalgae, particularly
their capacity to improve water quality, should be more effectively managed
for beneficial purposes.
The idea of using aquatic plants for wastewater treatment in conjunction
with traditional primary or secondary sewage treatment facilities is well
established, and many projects are in place that utilize this concept on an
operational or experimental basis (e.g. Reddy and Smith 1987; Brix and
Schierup 1989). These systems rely on fresh water aquatic macrophytes
Department of Microbiology, 178 Giltner Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
48824, USA
Ecological Studies, Vol. 123
Schramm/Nienhuis (eds) Marine Benthic Vegetation
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996
Eutrophicated Waters
J. E. MERRILL
4.1 Introduction
Macroalgae (seaweeds) are important components of nearshore marine
and brackish water ecosystems throughout the world. Many macro algae are
highly productive, effectively utilizing solar energy to fix carbon into
biomass. In this process, they absorb nutrients and other substances from
the water, incorporating them into the thallus biomass. This biomass can
serve as habitat or food for fish, shellfish, or other organisms, and if
harvested can provide raw material for energy production, human food,
animal fodder and industrial feedstocks for chemical production (Chapman and Chapman, 1980; Waaland 1981; Guiry and Blunden 1991). A
considerable amount of recent attention has been focused on the problems
that can occur when blooms of these macro algae result from eutrophication
caused by wastewater discharge and agricultural runoff. In such circumstances, the macroalgal biomass can represent a significant nuisance,
impeding navigation, fouling recreational areas, and upsetting the ecological/biochemical balance in the marine system. Such problems, serious
now, are sure to become even worse in the future as populations expand and
industrialization spreads (Maurits la Riviere 1989). In spite of these
negative effects, the environmental benefits of macroalgae, particularly
their capacity to improve water quality, should be more effectively managed
for beneficial purposes.
The idea of using aquatic plants for wastewater treatment in conjunction
with traditional primary or secondary sewage treatment facilities is well
established, and many projects are in place that utilize this concept on an
operational or experimental basis (e.g. Reddy and Smith 1987; Brix and
Schierup 1989). These systems rely on fresh water aquatic macrophytes
Department of Microbiology, 178 Giltner Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
48824, USA
Ecological Studies, Vol. 123
Schramm/Nienhuis (eds) Marine Benthic Vegetation
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996