Nitrogen Cycling Processes Across an Oyster Aquaculture Chronosequence
Robinson W. Fulweiler • Boston University • Department of Earth and Environment • Department of Biology
40% increase since ~1900s
~50% of the Global Population – Alive today – because of this process.
Erisman et al., Nature Geoscience, 2008
N Loading and Aquatic ecosystem response
• Increased algal productivity
• Harmful algal blooms
• Formation of nuisance algal mats
• Low oxygen conditions
• Fish kills - fin and shell
• Loss of biodiversity
• Loss of submerged aquatic vegetation
Sybil Seitzinger, 2003
Denitrification: NO3- N2 Removes nitrogen from the system
Atmosphere(km)
Water Column
(m)
Sediment(cm)
Detrital Organic matter
Organic matter
NH4+
NH4+
NO2-
NO3-
N2
N2O
N2O
N2N2O
Photosynthesis
Bacterial degradation
Bacterial degradation
Nitrification
N2
Denitrification
Aerobic conditions
Anaerobic conditions
Nitrifi
catio
n
“…the old oysterman knew, there’s no betterplace to grow oysters than in Rhode Island.”
-Photo & Quote from Michael A. Rice, 2006
Beutel 2012
Millions of Oyster Aquaculture Pieces Sold Over the Last Sixteen Years
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Aquaculture Oyster Cultch Control
SOD
(m
mol
O2-
O m
-2hr
-1)
Sediment Oxygen Demand
Spring
Summer
Fall
-1500
-1000
-500
0
500
1000
1500
2000
Aquaculture Oyster Cultch Control
N2
flux
(um
ol N
2-N
m-2
hr-1
)Net N2 Fluxes
Spring
Summer
Fall
Carey et al. 2014 ASLO Poster, Manuscript In Prep,
Acknowledgements:
• RI Sea Grant
• Dave Beutel, CRMC
• Jim Arnoux, East Beach Oysters (http://eastbeachblondes.com/)
• Suzy Ayvazian, EPA
• Boze Hancock, TNC
• Joanna Carey, MBL
• Boston University
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