Trophic structure in a pilot system for the integrated multi-trophic aquaculture off the east coast of Korean peninsula as determined by stable isotopes.
To assess the potential for nutritional exploitation of caged-fish-derived waste through the use of extractive co-cultured species in a pilot system for an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), we compared their C and N stable isotope ratios with those of uncultured macroinvertebrates in and around the system. Black rockfish were co-cultured with sea cucumber, oyster, and two macroalgae as extractive species. Isotope signatures of the co-cultured sea cucumber at the IMTA site differed from those at the control site, indicating their assimilation of aquaculture wastes. In contrast, δ(13)C and δ(15)N of individual taxa of the cultured oyster and uncultured invertebrates were consistent between sites, suggesting a minor contribution of the aquaculture waste to benthic and pelagic food chains in and around the IMTA system. These results provide evidence of the suitability of using sea cucumber as an extractive species to reduce the impact of a monoculture system on the ambient environment.
School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea.
Hyun Je
HJ
Park
School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea.
Eunah
E
Han
Marine Environment Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea.
Won Chan
WC
Lee
School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea.
Jung Hyun
JH
Kwak
Marine Environment Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea.
Hyung Chul
HC
Kim
Aquaculture Management Division, NFRDI, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea.
Mi Seon
MS
Park
School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ckkang@gist.ac.kr.
Chang-Keun
CK
Kang
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005399:Fishes; D020387:Food Chain; D007448:Invertebrates; D007723:Korea; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000378:metabolism; D010473:Perciformes / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012616:Sea Cucumbers / Q000378:metabolism; D012624:Seaweed; D018505:Waste Management
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes
Apostichoupus japonicus; Extractive species; Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture; Stable isotopes; Trophic structure