E-Thesis 256 views 90 downloads
Advancing understanding of kelp aquaculture in Wales: tests across multiple life stages and environmental contexts / KASPER BRANDT
Swansea University Author: KASPER BRANDT
-
PDF | E-Thesis – open access
Copyright: The Author, Kasper M. F. Brandt, 2023. Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0).
Download (3.55MB)
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.63625
Abstract
Seaweed aquaculture can provide an important food source for a growing world population, without the negative impacts of land-based cultivation, like excessive use of fresh water or pesticides. While seaweed aquaculture is established in Asia, there are still many challenges in the cultivation of se...
| Published: |
Swansea, Wales, UK
2023
|
|---|---|
| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Griffin, John N. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63625 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Abstract: |
Seaweed aquaculture can provide an important food source for a growing world population, without the negative impacts of land-based cultivation, like excessive use of fresh water or pesticides. While seaweed aquaculture is established in Asia, there are still many challenges in the cultivation of seaweeds in Europe. My research aimed to find solutions to some of the challenges in cultivating three kelp species endemic to Wales: Laminaria digitata, L. hyperborea and Saccharina latissima. I investigated the potential for prediction of optimal sites for seaweed farming through growth modelling, methods for spore acquisition and storage, the effect of nitrate and salinity on kelp growth during microscopic life stages, and changes in kelp morphology throughout the year. Using a large ria in southwest Wales (Milford Haven) as a test case, model results for Saccharina latissima indicated a large section of the nutrient rich, but brackish, part of the ria provides the conditions necessary for good growth and yield. The effects of salinity and nitrate concentration were similar between kelp species but differed between life stages. Salinity affected germination rate, while nitrate concentration influenced gametophyte growth rate. Some of the ecosystem services that kelps provide are tied to their morphology. The kelp L. hyperborea maintains a large blade and stipe throughout the year, while other species change with the seasons. Meaning some kelps can provide morphology-related ecosystem services throughout year-round, while others cannot. Kelp spores can be stored using two-step cryopreservation with DMSO as a cryoprotectant, but the survival rate of the spores is too low to be commercially effective. A sori storage time of 24 to 48 hours is recommended for spore acquisition. Collectively these results show that, while questions remain on some of the details concerning seaweed aquaculture, there is potential for the application of seaweed aquaculture in Wales. |
|---|---|
| Keywords: |
Kelp, aquaculture, seaweed farm, salinity, site selection, morphology |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |