The Open Access Israeli Journal of Aquaculture – Bamidgeh

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Editor-in-Chief Published under auspices of Dan Mires The Society of Israeli Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology (SIAMB), Editorial Board University of Hawaii at Manoa Library Sheenan Harpaz Agricultural Research Organization and Beit Dagan, Israel University of Hawaii Aquaculture Zvi Yaron Dept. of Zoology Program in association with Tel Aviv University AquacultureHub Tel Aviv, Israel http://www.aquaculturehub.org Angelo Colorni National Center for Mariculture, IOLR Eilat, Israel

Rina Chakrabarti Aqua Research Lab Dept. of Zoology University of Delhi

Ingrid Lupatsch Swansea University Singleton Park, Swansea, UK

Jaap van Rijn The Hebrew University Faculty of Agriculture Israel

Spencer Malecha Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences University of Hawaii

Daniel Golani The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel

Emilio Tibaldi Udine University Udine, Italy ISSN 0792 - 156X

 Israeli Journal of Aquaculture - BAMIGDEH. Copy Editor Ellen Rosenberg PUBLISHER: Israeli Journal of Aquaculture - BAMIGDEH - Kibbutz Ein Hamifratz, Mobile Post 25210, ISRAEL Phone: + 972 52 3965809 http://siamb.org.il The Israeli Journal of Aquaculture – Bamidgeh 56(1), 2004, 59-67. 59

FIELD REPORT

EFFECTS OF LAND-BASED TROUT FARMS ON THE BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY IN A TURKISH BROOK

Mine Uzbilek Kırkagaç*, Serap Pulatsü, Gülten Köksal* Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University, 06110 Diskapı, Ankara,

(Received 20.7.03, Accepted 3.11.03)

Key words: benthic macroinvertebrate, diversity indices, fish farm effluents, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract Benthic macroinvertebrates and physico-chemical parameters were surveyed at the source of the Brook in Bozüyük, Province, Turkey, and at the inlets and outlets of five rainbow trout farms that use the brook water and discharge effluents into it. The dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen and total phosphorus in the farm effluents were within effluent standards for trout farming in different countries. The macroinvertebrate community in the brook consisted of Mollusca, Gastropoda (Physidae, Limnaedae, Planorbidae, Neritidae), Bivalvia (Spharidae), Annelidae, Oligochaeta (Tubificidae), Hirudinea (Glos- siphonidae, Erpobdellidae), Arthropoda, Insecta (Chironomidae, Ephemerellidae) and Crustacea (Gammaridae, Asellidae). Tubificidae and Chironomidae were generally observed in all sampling stations; the highest abundance was in the inlets and outlets of the two farms nearest the source. The most common measures of biodiversity, i.e., richness, Simpson’s index, Shannon-Wiener index and evenness, were used during the year-long study.

Introduction Aquaculture can impact the environment in a waste feed) dilutes the waste and carries it number of ways. It can cause user conflicts, downstream. The ability of the river to dilute alter the hydrological regime, introduce exotic and transport the discharge depends on the species to the wild, and pollute water water flow and other river characteristics, and resources (Midlen and Redding, 2000). A river the amount of discharge. Since the discharge receiving fish farm effluents (fish excreta and of upstream fish farms becomes the water

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +90-312-3170550/1109, fax: +90-312-3185298, e-mail: [email protected] 60 Kirkagac et al. supply of downstream farms, it is important to Karasu Brook in Bozüyük-Bilecik understand the nature and effects of fish farm Province, Turkey, a water source for five effluents on the aquatic environment (Laird rainbow trout farms, was selected for this and Needham, 1991; Midlen and Redding, investigation of the effects of fish farm 2000) and evaluate the extent to which the effluents on the benthic macroinvertebrate upstream farm endangers downstream farms. community in terms of species richness, Deterioration of water quality is indicated diversity indices and evenness. by increased nitrogen and phosphorus fractions, decreased dissolved oxygen, and Materials and Methods enhanced biological organic discharge (BOD). Study area. Samples were collected from 11 Thus, fish farm effluents affect the benthic stations along the Karasu Brook from March macroinvertebrate community (Midlen and 2001 to February 2002 (excluding December Redding, 2000). These communities have when weather conditions prevented sample long been investigated as part of ecological collection). The first station was the source of studies in fresh waters because they are the brook (control). The other stations were particularly sensitive to changes in the the inlets and outlets of five rainbow trout physico-chemical environment. Some farms located along the brook (Fig. 1). Data species, such as the stonefly and mayfly, are on the farm yields and feed consumption are especially sensitive whilst others, such as given in Table 1. tubificids and chironomidae larvae, are more Biological parameters. Benthic macro- tolerant to pollution. Various diversity indices, invertebrates were collected monthly with a based on different permutations of raw data 0.5 mm mesh hand-net attached to a 15 x 20 collected by population sampling techniques, x 3 cm frame (modified from Pauw and are used to scientifically evaluate benthic Vanhooren, 1983). The collected material macroinvertebrate populations (Hawkes, was washed through a series of sieves 1979; Richards et al., 1997). ranging from 3.36 to 0.5 mm mesh and

Brook source Liman Bozalan Liman Saraycik

Mersu

Hurma

North

Serhat Fig. 1. The location of fish farms along Karasu Brook, Turkey. Effects of trout farms on benthic macroinvertibrate community 61

Table 1. Yield and feed consumption of five trout farms on Karasu Brook, Turkey, in 2001.

Farm Yield Feed consumption (tons/yr) (tons/yr)

Hurma 40 60 Liman Bozalan & Liman Saraycõk 1000 1150 Mersu 200 240 Serhat 60 57 Total 1300

preserved in situ with a 4% formaline Shannon-Wiener index (H) measures solution. The organisms were identified with a habitat quality that may be degraded by human stereoscopic microscope and counted activity and is expressed as H = -sum (Piln Pi). (Edmondson, 1959; Macan, 1975). When- Evenness (E) measures similarities in the ever possible, samples were identified to the abundance of different families where E = H/ln S. family and genus level (Richard et al.,1997; Richards et al., 1997). Results Physico-chemical parameters. Water Average water quality values for the study peri- samples from all stations were taken from od are shown in Figs. 2 and 3. High tempera- below the water surface in parallel with the tures ranged 16.5-19¡C in August and low tem- macroinvertebrate samplings. Water tempera- peratures 11-12¡C in January. Macroinverte- ture, dissolved oxygen and pH were brate communities included Mollusca, measured in situ. Ammonia-nitrogen (N-NO3), Gastropoda (Physidae-Physa, Limnaedae- nitrite-nitrogen (N-NO2) and nitrate-nitrogen Limnaea, Planorbidae-Planorbis, Neritidae- (N-NH3), biological organic discharge (BOD) Theodoxus), Bivalvia (Spharidae-Pisidium), and total phosphorus were determined by Annelidae, Oligochaeta (Tubificidae), Hirudinea standard methods. (Glossiphonidae, Erpobdellidae), Arthropoda, Indices. Estimation of abundance (total Insecta (Chiro-nomidae, Ephemerellidae) and number of individuals) and the most common Crustacea (Gammaridae-Gammarus, Asellidae- measures of biodiversity (richness, Simpson’s Asellus). index, Shannon-Wiener index and evenness) Pisidium and Planorbis were found were used to quantify the response of the throughout the year, except in August. community to the quality of its environment Theodoxus appeared from August to (Peckarsky, 1984; Metcalfe-Smith, 1994; November, especially in Hurma and Liman Richards et al., 1997). Bozalan. Tubificidae were found in most Richness (S) was calculated at the family stations. Besides Tubificidae and a few level to indicate the number of macro- organisms of Gastropoda, no other organisms invertebrate families. were observed in January and February. Simpson’s index (D) represents the Hirudinae, Erpobdellidae and Glossiphonidae probability that two randomly selected were found in a few stations. Beside individuals in the community belong to the Gammarus, Asellus appeared in August same category by the equation D = sum (Pi2) reaching a high in November. Ephemerellidae where Pi is the ratio of individuals of one reached its highest value in July. family to the total number of individuals. Biodiversity indices are given in Table 2. 62 Kirkagac et al.

12 11 10 9 8 DO (ppm) 7 6 pH 5 4 BOD (mg/l) 3 2 1 0 LB 1 LB 2 LB 1 LB 2 Source Mersu 1 Mersu 2 Serhat 1 Serhat 2 Hurma 1 Hurma 2 Farm

Fig. 2. Average dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and biological organic discharge (BOD) throughout the study at the source and at the inlets and outlets of five trout farms on a Turkish brook.

Discussion Cummins (1994) indicated that different parameters had no drastic effect on the invertebrates are affected differently by benthic macroinvertebrates in the brook. organic enrichment. Depletion of oxygen is Cripps and Kelly (1995) reported that probably the major affected factor. In this BOD values range 3-20 mg/l and total study, in spite of organic enrichment from fish phosphorus 0.050-0.150 mg/l in aquaculture feeds and fish wastes at all five fish farms, the effluents. In Denmark, Sweden and Ireland, differences in dissolved oxygen (DO) between BOD values fluctuate around 0.110 mg/l. In the inlets and outlets were relatively low, this study, the maximum BOD (3.16 mg/l) and ranging from 0.03 mg/l at Serhat to 1.22 mg/l total phosphorus (0.117) occurred in the at Liman Bozalan. The DO values decreased effluent of the farm furthest downstream. The gradually from 10.8 at the source to 9.09 ppm maximum allowable BOD increment between at the outlet of Serhat farm, the farthest the inlet and outlet of land-based salmonid downstream station. These levels are well farms is 1.0 mg/l in Denmark and 2.0 mg/l in above the minimum standards reported by England (Midlen and Redding, 2000). The Davis (1993). pH values were constant maximum allowable total phosphorus around 7.7 and within the standard values of increment is 0.05 mg/l in Denmark. The BOD 6.5-8.0 reported by Lawson (1995). These and total phosphorus increments between the Effects of trout farms on benthic macroinvertibrate community 63

1.1 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 NH3-N 0.5 NO2-N NO3-N 0.4 TP 0.3 Concentration (mg/l) 0.2 0.1 0 LB 1 LB 2 LB 1 LB 2 Source Mersu 1 Mersu 2 Serhat 1 Serhat 2 Hurma 1 Hurma 2 Farm

Fig. 3. Average nitrogen and total phosphorus (TP) levels throughout the study at the source and at the inlets and outlets of five trout farms on a Turkish Brook.

inlets and outlets of each of the studied farms enriched waters (Hawkes, 1979; Reynoldson were below 1 mg/l and 0.05 mg/l, and Zarull, 1989; Whitehurst and Lindsey, respectively. The measured N-NH3, N-NH2 1990; Richards et al., 1997; Yõldõz and and N-NH3 in the farm effluents were within Kırkagaç, 2001). the standard limits of 1.77 mg/l, 0.83 mg/l and During the investigation, Mollusca were 16.9 mg/l, respectively (Schwartz and Boyd, found in all stations and changes in the 1994). Mollusca genera were considered seasonal. Mollusca such as Limnaea, Physa, Tubificidae was observed in all sampling Pisidium (snails), Oligochaeta (worms), stations throughout the study but the highest Chironomid larvae and Hirudinea (leeches) abundance was observed in the inlets and are tolerant to organic pollution and low outlets of Liman Bozalan and Liman Saraycõk oxygen. The major factor determining the farms. Chironomidae were also most distribution of leeches is probably the abundant in these stations. This result is availability of prey. Members of Glos- believed to be related to the relatively higher siphonidae feed predominantly on snails and amounts of discharged fish fecal wastes, as members of Erpobdellidae feed on described by Midlen and Redding (2000) and oligocheata and chironomid larvae, all of Laird and Needham (1991). The presence of which are associated with organically Erpobdellidae and Glossiphonidae can 64 Kirkagac et al. d 4 0.52 0.87 0.63 2 0.52 0.67 0.97 4 0.33 1.23 0.89 3 0.55 0.79 0.72 3 0.69 0.57 0.52 3 0.37 1.03 0.94 3 0.54 0.80 0.73 4 0.30 1.27 0.92 4 0.46 1.00 0.72 4 0.36 1.17 0.85 3 0.40 0.97 0.88 3 0.42 0.95 0.87 3 0.42 0.94 0.85 2 0.54 0.63 0.91 3 0.63 0.67 0.60 3 0.78 0.40 0.36 3 0.50 0.86 0.78 1 1 0 0 3 0.40 0.97 0.88 4 0.35 1.10 0.79 4 0.34 1.18 0.85 3 0.70 0.55 0.50 3 0.66 0.62 0.57 3 0.44 0.94 0.86 4 0.29 1.28 0.92 4 0.60 0.76 0.54 3 0.61 0.62 0.56 3 0.34 1.07 0.98 4 0.73 0.57 0.41 4 0.85 0.31 0.22 4 0.34 1.18 0.85 4 0.80 0.45 0.32 2 0.72 0.44 0.64 3 0.38 1.02 0.93 2 0.94 0.12 0.18 2 0.62 0.56 0.81 4 0.87 0.28 0.26 2 0.88 0.22 0.32 3 0.37 1.04 0.94 2 0.86 1.15 0.36 3 0.92 0.19 0.17 4 0.57 0.73 0.53 3 0.40 0.99 0.90 3 0.42 0.94 0.85 3 0.34 1.07 0.98 inlet outlet inlet outlet inlet outlet inlet outlet inlet outlet 5 0.36 1.19 0.74 3 0.44 0.94 0.86 4 0.51 0.80 0.57 5 0.36 1.30 0.80 3 0.52 0.82 0.75 5 0.21 1.55 0.96 3 0.42 0.95 0.86 4 0.27 1.34 0.96 5 0.41 1.15 0.71 5 0.36 1.19 0.74 D H E D H E D H E D H E D H E Table 2. Measures of biodiversity benthic macroinvertebrates: richness (S), Simpson’s index (D), Shannon-Weiner (H) an Month Measure Source Hurma Liman Bozalan Liman Saraycik Mersu Serhat Apr S Mar S May S Jun S Jul S evenness (E) at the source and inlets outlets of five trout farms along Karasu Brook, Turkey. Effects of trout farms on benthic macroinvertibrate community 65 2 0.61 0.57 0.83 4 0.41 1.00 0.72 5 0.72 0.61 0.38 4 0.53 0.71 0.51 2 0.67 0.47 0.68 2 0.53 0.66 0.95 4 0.32 1.19 0.86 7 0.35 1.19 0.61 3 0.61 0.70 0.64 4 0.36 1.13 0.82 2 0.72 0.44 0.64 2 0.82 0.32 0.46 2 0.68 0.50 0.72 5 0.28 1.38 0.83 6 0.41 1.10 0.61 3 0.42 0.94 0.85 2 0.55 0.63 0.91 2 0.64 0.54 0.74 3 0.90 0.21 0.19 3 0.50 0.76 0.70 2 0.78 0.37 0.54 3 0.82 0.37 0.34 1 1 0 0 2 0.89 0.21 0.30 3 0.84 0.30 0.27 4 0.50 0.84 0.61 7 0.81 0.44 0.22 3 0.42 0.94 0.85 2 0.66 0.52 0.75 1 1 0 0 4 0.53 0.84 0.61 4 0.74 0.53 0.38 4 0.79 0.39 0.28 3 0.91 0.20 0.18 1 1 0 0 2 0.62 0.56 0.81 5 0.53 0.92 0.57 5 0.30 0.34 0.83 2 0.76 0.39 0.56 1 1 0 0 2 0.95 0.11 0.16 1 1 0 0 5 0.55 0.91 0.56 3 0.38 1.03 0.93 2 0.93 0.14 0.20 2 0.83 0.30 0.43 1 1 0 0 2 0.62 0.56 0.81 3 0.45 0.88 0.80 3 0.77 0.45 0.41 3 0.46 0.87 0.79 3 0.42 0.94 0.85 2 0.57 0.67 0.97 2 0.52 0.67 0.97 3 0.52 0.82 0.75 3 0.34 1.07 0.98 2 0.62 0.56 0.80 2 0.50 0.69 1.00 1 1 0 0 2 0.55 0.63 0.91 5 0.24 1.50 0.93 2 0.56 0.64 0.93 3 0.33 1.09 1.00 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 D H E D H E D H E D H E D H E D H E Table 2. 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