Respiration and calcification rate were estimated to quantify the effect of Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri on marine CO2 system in Sanggou Bay, China. The C. farreri population in Sanggou Bay sequestered 78.06 ± 5.76 g C m−2 y−1 for shell formation, while the CO2 fluxes due to calcification and respiration were 53.95 ± 3.98 and 71.69 ± 6.51 g C m−2 y−1, respectively. In order to eliminate the additional CO2 released from calcification and respiration process of C. farreri, Gracilaria lemaneiformis were introduced into the integrated system and its role was validated by in situ mesocosm methods. Eight mesocosms (1,000 L) were deployed over 42-h period and consisted of four treatments: seaweed-only, scallop-only (SP), seaweed integrated with scallop (SS), and control (C). The aqueous CO2 concentration and partial pressure of CO2 in SP treatments were significantly higher than the other three treatments (p < 0.01), while there were no difference between SS treatments and C treatments (p > 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the SP treatments, the presence of the G. lemaneiformis can keep the seawater pH stable. These findings suggest that seaweed and shellfish integrated aquaculture practice cannot only reduce dissolved inorganic carbon but also can alleviate ocean acidification.
Jiang Z. J., Fang J. G., Han T. T., Mao Y. Z., Li J. Q. & Du M. R., 2014. The role of Gracilaria lemaneiformis in eliminating the dissolved inorganic carbon released from calcification and respiration process of Chlamys farreri. Journal of Applied Phycology 26(1):545-550. Article (restricted access).
