Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta.
Mar Pollut Bull. 2014 Feb 15;79(1-2):164-74. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.021. Epub 2014 Jan 18.
The influence of tuna penning on soft bottom habitat present in the vicinity of tuna pens and at distances 200 m and 1.5 km away, was assessed by comparing attributes of macroinvertebrate assemblages and sediment quality before (November 2000, March 2001) and after (November 2001, April 2002) initiation of the activity. Results from November 2001 indicated a significant increase in sediment organic carbon and organic nitrogen, and a non-significant increase in the abundance of Capitellidae in the vicinity of the cages. Similar results were obtained 200 m from the cages but not 1.5 km away, where the only change was a significant increase in organic nitrogen in sediment. Results from April 2002 indicated no significant change in sediment organic carbon and organic nitrogen, however, mean sediment grain size decreased significantly in the immediate vicinity of the cages. Changes in attributes of the benthic assemblages and sediment resulted from accumulation of uneaten feed-fish on the seabed.
通过比较金枪鱼围网附近和 200 米和 1.5 公里远处的软底生境的大型底栖动物群落和底质质量的属性，评估了金枪鱼围网对软底生境的影响。在活动开始之前（2000 年 11 月，2001 年 3 月）和之后（2001 年 11 月，2002 年 4 月）进行了比较。2001 年 11 月的结果表明，围网附近的底质有机碳和有机氮显著增加，而毛首蚓科的丰度略有增加。在离笼子 200 米的地方也得到了类似的结果，但在离笼子 1.5 公里的地方则没有，那里唯一的变化是底质有机氮显著增加。2002 年 4 月的结果表明，底质有机碳和有机氮没有显著变化，但围网附近的底质平均粒径显著减小。底栖生物群落和底质属性的变化是由于未被吃掉的饲料鱼在海底的积累所致。
