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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 61(5)

Freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farming affects sediment and pore-water chemistry

Rebecca C. Rooney A C and Cheryl L. Podemski B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of Alberta, Department of Biological Sciences, CW 315 Bio Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.

B Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6, Canada.

C Corresponding author. Email: rrooney@ualberta.ca

Marine and Freshwater Research 61(5) 513-526 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF09097
Submitted: 2 May 2009  Accepted: 24 September 2009   Published: 28 May 2010

Abstract

Marine aquaculture has come under scrutiny, whereas little is known about the nature and extent of the effects of cage aquaculture in freshwater. We describe the development of changes in sediment and pore-water chemistry caused by an experimental Oncorhynchus mykiss farm located in freshwater Lake 375 (Experimental Lakes Area, north-western Ontario, Canada) during its first two production cycles along a distance transect from the cage. Significant changes in sediment chemistry were quick to develop; pore-water ammonia was elevated under the cage after 1 month and sediment nutrients were elevated 1 month later. The effects on the benthic environment were spatially localised, although variables responded to different extents. Within 16 months, nutrient concentrations in surface sediment reached an asymptote, whereas concentrations of metals and ammonia continued to increase. Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations under the cage reached levels that exceed sediment quality guidelines and may cause adverse biological impacts. An anti-fouling coating applied to the net pen was the major source of Cu, whereas Zn originated also from fish feed. Ammonia and pH are recommended for inclusion in monitoring programs because they were sensitive to fish farming and are biologically relevant. We also suggest inclusion of Cu and Zn in monitoring programs at farms with treated nets.

Additional keywords: benthic impacts, cage farming, freshwater, monitoring tools, sediment quality.


Acknowledgements

Funding for this project was obtained from the National Science and Engineering Research Council, Fisheries & Oceans Canada's Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program, the ELA Graduate Fellowship Fund, and the Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association. Special thanks to Mike Meeker, President of the Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association, and Paula Azevedo and Mark Ouellette, Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for their personal expertise. Thanks also to Paul Blanchfield and Michael Paterson for their comments on early drafts. Field assistance was provided by Kelsey Fetterly, Natalie Nikkel, and Shannon McPhee. Fish feed was provided by Martin Mills Inc.


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