title: Comparative assessment of water quality parameters of mariculture for fish production in Hong Kong Waters.
abstract: The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of fish cultivation on water quality in fish culture zone (FCZ) and analysed by Principle Component Analysis (PCA). 120 surface water samples were collected from Hong Kong Waters (60 samples in Victoria Harbour and another 60 in Ma Wan FCZ). Significant difference was found in dissolved oxygen (MW: 59.6%; VH: 81.3%), and Escherichia coli (MW: 465 CFU/100 ml; VH: 162.5 CFU/100 ml). Three principle components are responsible for water quality variations in the studying sites. The first component included E. coli (0.625) and dissolved oxygen (0.701). The second included E. coli (0.387) and ammonical-nitrogen (0.571). The third included E. coli (0.194) and ammonical-nitrogen (0.287). This framework provides information to assess the relative contribution of eco-aquaculture to nutrient loads and the subsequent risk of eutrophication. To conclude, a rigorous monitoring of water quality is necessary to assess point and nonpoint source pollution. Besides, appropriate remediation techniques should be used to combat water pollution and achieve sustainability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Institute of Vocational Education, Hong Kong Vocational Training Council, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: S K S
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of History, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: Institute of Vocational Education, Hong Kong Vocational Training Council, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: A O W
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: kklyung@hkbu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: K K L
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Yung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development; D005068:Eutrophication; D006723:Hong Kong; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060753:Water Quality / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: E. coli; Fish culture zone; Ma Wan; Mariculture; Pearl River Delta; Principle Component Analysis