Dose-dependent response of a benthic system to biodeposition from suspended blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) culture

This study reports the results of a field experiment using benthic mesocosms that examined dose-dependent effects of mussel biodeposition on the benthic environment. Mesocosms were placed in the natural sea bottom and subjected to one of eight levels of biodeposition (from 0 to 1400 mussels m−2). Most analyses indicated non-linear (i.e., threshold) effects. Sediment characteristics changed significantly between 200 and 400 mussels m−2 as did multivariate community structure. Community structure effects were characterised by changes in abundances of species that are very sensitive or tolerant to organic loading. The multivariate AZTI Marine Biotic Index (M-AMBI) indicated that the benthic status changed from High to Good in all mesocosms receiving biodeposits. Sediments acted as a sink for oxygen (O2), but results suggest O2 sediment demand was not sensitive enough to evaluate organic loading impacts. Results from this and improved experiments can be used to determine the environmental carrying capacity of sites for bivalve culture.