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4472138 
Journal Article 
Effects of Organic Matter Input from a Fish Farming Facility on a Posidonia oceanica Meadow 
Cancemi, G; De Falco, G; Pergent, G 
2003 
Yes 
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
ISSN: 0272-7714
EISSN: 1096-0015 
Elsevier Science, P.O. Box 211 Amsterdam 1000 AE 
56 
5 (Apr 2003) 
961. 
WOS:000184589500009 
Aquaculture along the Mediterranean coast of Europe is a potential source of disturbance to littoral ecosystems, including seagrass meadows. The impact of a fish farm in a littoral bay of Corsica was studied. Sediment organic content and nitrogen and phosphorus levels in pore water were much higher in the vicinity of the farm than/ at a reference site. Plant densities of the seagrass meadows in the farm vicinity declined compared with those from the reference site, and total primary production also declined. Organic matter input from the fish cages and the high epiphyte biomass caused by nutrient enrichment appear to alter bottom physico-chemical characteristics and to increase plant/epiphyte competition for available light. 
SEDIMENT; MEDITERRANEAN SEA; SEAWEEDS; MARINE POLLUTION EFFECTS; AQUACULTURE