Mussels as a tool for mitigation of nutrients in the marine environment

Mar Pollut Bull. 2014 May 15;82(1-2):137-43. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.03.006. Epub 2014 Mar 24.

Abstract

Long-line mussel farming has been proposed as a mitigation tool for removal of excess nutrients in eutrophic coastal waters. A full-scale mussel farm optimized for cost efficient nutrient removal was established in the eutrophic Skive Fjord, Denmark where biological and economic parameters related to nutrient removal was monitored throughout a full production cycle (1 yr). The results showed that it was possible to obtain a high area specific biomass of 60 t WW ha(-1) eqvivalent to a nitrogen and phosphorus removal of 0.6-0.9 and 0.03-0.04 t ha(-1)yr, respectively. The analysis of the costs related to establishment, maintenance and harvest revealed that mussel production optimized for mitigation can be carried out at a lower cost compared to mussel production for (human) consumption. The costs for nutrient removal was 14.8 € kg(-1)N making mitigation mussel production a cost-efficient measure compared to the most expensive land-based measures.

Keywords: Cost-effectiveness; Eutrophication; Heavy metal bioaccumulation; Mussel production; Mytilus edulis; Nutrient removal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaculture / economics
  • Aquaculture / methods*
  • Biomass
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Denmark
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / economics
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Eutrophication
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism
  • Mytilus edulis / metabolism*
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Phosphorus / metabolism*
  • Water Pollution, Chemical / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen