Plankton variability in aquaculture areas of Lingayen Gulf

Issue Date

6-2005

Abstract

The aquaculture industry in the coastal waters and river system of Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines has intensified in the past decade and studies have shown this trend contributing to the continued deterioration of water quality in the area. In this study, the possible consequence of nutrient loading on plankton biomass and abundance in Dagupan and Bolinao, two areas influenced by aquaculture in the Gulf at varying degrees, was assessed. The strong seasonal variation in physico-chemical factors that influence water quality conditions tend to regulate the type and abundance of plankton in the area. The relatively higher dissolved oxygen (DO) and lower nutrient concentrations in Bolinao seem to support higher phytoplankton biomass, resulting in higher zooplankton biomass during the dry period, and good quality-high energy food source type zooplankton during the wet period. In contrast, the higher nutrients and total soluble solids (TSS), and low DO in Dagupan during the wet season may have been responsible for the decrease in phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass, and the dominance of the low quality-low energy food source type zooplankton. The elevated nutrient levels in Dagupan are attributed to the extent and length of time aquaculture has been in operation in the area, and the low residence time of water in its multiple tributaries. With unregulated aquaculture activities, the trend seen in Dagupan may be replicated in Bolinao.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The (Formerly: The Philippine Agriculturist)

ISSN

0031-7454

Volume

88

Issue

2

Page

213-223

Document Type

Article

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Frequency

quarterly

Physical Description

maps; graphs; tables; references

Language

English

Subject

aquaculture, Lingayen Gulf, phytoplankton, zooplankton

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ZOOPLANKTON CULTURE; AQUACULTURE; PLANKTON; PHYTOPLANKTON; ZOOPLANKTON; CHEMICOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES; BIOMASS; SPATIAL VARIATIONS; TEMPORAL VARIATIONS; DATA ANALYSIS

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