A new transportable floating mesocosm platform with autonomous sensors for real‐time data acquisition and transmission for studying the pelagic food web functioning

Mostajir, Behzad; Floc’h, Emilie Le; Mas, Sébastien; Pete, Romain; Parin, David; Nouguier, J.; Fouilland, Éric; Vidussi, Francesca

doi:10.4319/lom.2013.11.394

Cited by 12 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…8B), which agrees with the structural index (A:H), can be established by measurements of oxygen production and respiration. Recently, Mostajir et al (2013) fitted several in situ mesocosms with a set of sensors for measuring water temperature, conductivity, chl a fluorescence, and dissolved oxygen concentration. These simultaneous automatic measurements are noninvasive and can be taken at high temporal resolution (every 2 min) with data transmission in real time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial food web structural and functional responses to oyster and fish as top predators

Mostajir¹,

Roques²,

Bouvier³

et al. 2015

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The impact of fish and oysters on components of the pelagic microbial food web (MFW) was studied in a 10 d mesocosm experiment using Mediterranean coastal waters. Two mesocosms contained natural water only ('Controls'), 2 contained natural water with Crassostrea gigas ('Oyster'), and 2 contained natural water with Atherina spp. ('Fish'). Abundances and biomasses of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, phytoplankton, heterotrophic flagellates, and ciliates) were measured to estimate their contribution to the total microbial carbon biomass. Two MFW indices, the microbial autotroph:heterotroph C biomass ratio (A:H) structural index and the gross primary production:respiration ratio (GPP:R) functional index, were defined. In the Fish mesocosms, selective predation on zooplankton led to a trophic cascade with 51% higher phytoplankton C biomass and consequently higher A:H and GPP:R than in the Controls. By the end of the experiment, the Oyster mesocosms had a bacterial C biomass 87% higher and phytoplankton C biomass 93% lower than the Controls, giving significantly lower A:H and GPP:R (<1). Overall, the results showed that wild zooplanktivorous fish had a cascading trophic effect, making the MFW more autotrophic (both indices >1), whereas oyster activities made the MFW more heterotrophic (both indices <1). These MFW indices can therefore be used to assess the impact of multiple local and global forcing factors on the MFW. The results presented here also have implications for sustainable management of coastal environments, suggesting that intense cultivation of filter feeders can be coupled with management to encourage wild local zooplanktivorous fishes to maintain a more resilient system and preserve the equilibrium of the MFW.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial food web structural and functional responses to oyster and fish as top predators

Mostajir¹,

Roques²,

Bouvier³

et al. 2015

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…However, in order to study the effects of specific pressures on biological responses, a controlled experimental environment may be more suitable (Mostajir et al, 2013). An experimental design where an adequate volume of water and sediment is isolated and exposed to specific (or a combination of) pressures is ideal in order to study the interactions between organisms and their physical environment (Petersen et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response of Benthic Macrofauna to Eutrophication in a Mesocosm Experiment: Ecosystem Resilience Prevents Hypoxic Conditions

2017

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A benthic-pelagic mesocosm experiment was performed to study how the benthic macrofaunal community responds to a eutrophication gradient. The novel experimental setup allowed the induction of an eutrophication gradient in the water column and the detailed documentation of the response of the benthos in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Nine mesocosms were deployed in the facilities of the Hellenic Center for Marine Research in Crete in the eastern Mediterranean. The mesocosms were 4 m deep, contained 1.5 m 3 coastal water, and included 85 liters of undisturbed sediment at the bottom. No water or sediment exchange was allowed. The experimental design included a Control and two eutrophication levels (Low and High) for the 58-day duration of the experiment. Macrofaunal samples were collected at the end of the experiment from each mesocosm and compared to the ones collected at the beginning of the experiment from the sediment collection area. Results show that the High eutrophication treatment differed significantly from the Control and Low treatments in terms of macrofaunal species composition, diversity, ecological status and ecosystem processes. The increased availability of organic matter in the sediment caused differences in macrofaunal community structure by favoring deposit-feeding species with high bioturbation ability, which significantly increased their abundance. The increased bioturbation potential of the new community combined with the high organic matter consumption contributed to the oxygenation of the sediment within the mesocosm, preventing the creation of hypoxic conditions in the sediment and maintaining ecosystem health despite the highly eutrophic conditions and significant changes in sediment geochemical variables. In the oligotrophic eastern Mediterranean, healthy benthic ecosystems may use existing ecosystem processes to "buffer" the negative effects caused by eutrophication.

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“…This drum is like an upsidedown pot and it floats on top of the digesting sludge and captures the gas. It is usually made of mild steel or sometimes fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) mixed material (Mostajir et al 2013). The gas produced is trapped under this floating cover which rises and falls on a central guide.…”

Section: Floating-drum Biogas Plantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancement in Biogas Digester

Kumar

Mandal

Sharma

2015

Energy Sustainability Through Green Energy

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Biogas is a renewable energy source with different production pathways and various excellent opportunities to use. Biogas refers to a gas produced by anaerobic digestion (AD) or fermentation of organic matter including manure, sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, biodegradable waste, energy crops, or other biodegradable feedstock. Biogas is comprised primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. In this review, we discussed the worldwide status of biogas production, history of the biogas digester, classification of biogas digester, and their advantages and disadvantages. The government policies on the use of kitchen-waste-based digesters and the social and environmental effects of the digesters are also discussed. More subsidies need to be given and more initiatives need to be taken by the government. The government has many policies for biogas digester plants; however, lack of proper awareness among people inhibits the adaptation of technology.

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A new transportable floating mesocosm platform with autonomous sensors for real‐time data acquisition and transmission for studying the pelagic food web functioning

Cited by 12 publications

References 50 publications

Microbial food web structural and functional responses to oyster and fish as top predators

Microbial food web structural and functional responses to oyster and fish as top predators

Response of Benthic Macrofauna to Eutrophication in a Mesocosm Experiment: Ecosystem Resilience Prevents Hypoxic Conditions

Advancement in Biogas Digester

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