Phosphorus accumulation in mudflats in bottom-sowing culture for Manila clam <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i> zone

Abstract

To evaluate impact of bottom-sowing culture for Manila clam <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i> on sediments, 12-cm-long sediment cores were sampled in Daguhe Estuary, Jiaozhou Bay, China. The seeding density was 1.1-1.5 kg/m² as juvenile clam was 0.3-0.5 g/individual and the stock density of clam that could be harvested was 450-1600 individual/m². Whereas the bottom-sowing culture in the estuary trended to increase TP (total phosphorus) and IP (inorganic phosphorus) content in sediments, it trended to reduce Ex-P (exchangeable phosphorus) content. The bottom-sowing culture in the estuary had no significant effects on IP accumulation and it could reduce TP or Ex-P accumulation significantly.