Simulation of “Net” Nutrients Removal by Green Mussel (Perna viridis) in Estuarine and Coastal Areas

Green mussels (Perna viridis) can effectively remove 
nutrients from seawater through their filtration process. This study 
aims to estimate “net” nutrient removal rate by green mussel through 
calculation of nutrient uptake and release. Nutrients (carbon, nitrogen 
and phosphorus) uptake was calculated based on the mussel filtration 
rate. Nutrient release was evaluated from carbon, nitrogen and 
phosphorus released as mussel faeces. By subtracting nutrient release 
from nutrient uptake, net nutrient removal by green mussel can be 
found as 3302, 380 and 124 mg/year/indv. Mass balance model was 
employed to simulate nutrient removal in actual green mussel 
farming conditions. Mussels farm area, seawater flow rate, and 
amount of mussels were considered in the model. Results show that 
although larger quantity of green mussel farms lead to higher nutrient 
removal rate, the maximum green mussel cultivation should be taken 
into consideration as nutrients released through mussel excretion can 
strongly affect marine ecosystem.

 





References:
[1] W. F. James, J. W. Barko, and H. L. Eakin, "Enhanced Phosphorus Recycling by Zebra Mussels at High Density Levels in Relation to Food Supply.” Water Quality Technical Notes Collection (ERDC WQTN PD-09), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, 2001
[2] W. H. Wong, Q.-F. Gao, S. G. Cheung, and P. K. S. Shin, "Field observations on correlation of fatty acid profiles between suspended particulate matter and green-lipped mussels in subtropical waters of Hong Kong,” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 57, pp. 662-671, 2008.
[3] Q.-F. Gao, W.-Z. Xu, X.-S. Liu, S. G. Cheung, and P. K. S. Shin, "Seasonal changes in C, N and P budgets of green-lipped mussels Perna viridis and removal of nutrients from fish farming in Hong Kong,” Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 353, pp. 137-146, 2008.
[4] K. Chaiyakum, and D. Tanwilai, "Experiment on using of Green Mussel, Mytilus sp. and Seaweed, Gracilaria fisheri for Biological Wastewater Treatment from Intensive Culture of Tiger Shrimp Ponds,” National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture, Songkhla, Thailand. Technical paper 6, 1992.
[5] J. Haamer, "Improving Water Quality in a Eutrophied Fjord System with Mussel Farming,” Ambio, vol. 25, issue 5, pp. 356-362, 1996.
[6] S. Rajagopal, V. P. Venugopalan, G. van der Velde, and H. A. Jenner, "Greening of the coasts; a review of the Perna viridis success story,” Aquatic Ecology, vol. 40, pp. 273-297, 2006.
[7] M. D. Callier, A. M. Weise, C. W. McKindsey, and G. Desrosiers, "Sedimentation rates in a suspended mussel farm (Great-Entry Lagoon, Canada): biodeposit production and dispersion,” Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 322, pp. 129-141, 2006.
[8] C. W. McKindsey, M. Lecuona, M. Huot, and A. M. Weise, "Biodeposit production and benthic loading by farmed mussels and associated tunicate epifauna in Prince Edward Island,” Aquaculture, vol. 295, pp. 44-51, 2009.
[9] D. Nizzoli, D. T. Welsh, and P. Viaroli, "Seasonal nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics during benthic clam and suspended mussel cultivation,” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 62, pp. 1276-1287, 2011.
[10] S. Tharapan, and M. Anongponyoskun, "Allication of Numerical Model for Computing Tidal Current by Changing Amplitude of Tidal Constituents in Ao Siracha, Chonburi Province, Thailand,” Proceeding of 48th Kasetsart University Annual Conference: Fisheries, Bangkok, Thailand, February 3-5, 2010, pp. 203-209.
[11] C. Tantanasarit, S. Babel, and A. J. Englande, "Nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon uptake kinetics by marine diatom Chaetoceros calcitrans under high nutrient concentrations,” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, vol. 446, pp. 67–75, 2013.
[12] C. Tantanasarit, "Effect of green mussel (Perna viridis) on nutrient dynamics in estuarine and coastal areas,” Doctoral thesis, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University, Thailand, 2013.
[13] C. Tantanasarit, S. Babel, A. J. Englande, and S. Meksumpun, "Influence of size and density on filtration rate modeling and nutrient uptake by green mussel (Perna viridis),” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 68, pp. 38-45, 2013.
[14] P. Gorcharoenwat, "Primary production in relation to growth of green mussel as Si Racha district, Chonburi province,” Master thesis, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, 2007.
[15] J. Teeramaethee, "Growth of green mussel (Perna viridis Linnaeus) hanging under floating floating cage frame, raft foam and long-lines methods,” Master thesis, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand, 1998.
[16] H. M. Jansen, O. Strand, M. Verdegem, and A. Smaal, "Accumulation, release and turnover of nutrients (C-N-P-Si) by the blue mussel Mytilus edulis under oligotrophic conditions,” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, vol. 416-417, pp. 185-195, 2012.
[17] W. H. Wong, and S. G. Cheung, "Feeding rates and scope for growth the green mussel, Perna viridis (L.) and their relationship with food availability in Kat O, Hong Kong,” Aquaculture vol. 193, pp. 123-137, 2001.
[18] K. V. Rajesh, K. S. Mohamed, and V. Kripa, "Influence of algal cell concentration, salinity and body size on the filtration and ingestion rates of cultivable India bivalves,” Indian Journal of Marine Sciences, vol. 30, pp. 87-92, 2001.
[19] J. Stadmark, and D. J. Conley, "Viewpoint: Mussel farming as a nutrient reduction measure in the Baltic Sea: Consideration of nutrient biogeochemical cycles,” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 62, pp. 1385-1388, 2011.