GIS in environmental monitoring and assessment of fish farming impacts on nutrients of Pagasitikos Gulf, Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

The spatial and temporal effect of fish farming on the water column of Pagasitikos Gulf was examined, between April and July 2017 by means of GIS. For this purpose a horizontal and a vertical transect of 11 sampling stations was settled. The GLM analysis showed significant spatial and temporal differences for DO, chl α and nutrients, except for NH4 and NO3 that were not revealed temporal variation. DO and NH4 distribution revealed a specific pattern of impact from the fish farm operation. However, concentration of nutrients do not exceed the permitted limits for eutrophication or affect the welfare of cultivated organisms. Moreover, GIS considered to be a very useful tool for the investigation and presentation of the fish farming effects in the aquatic environment. Further studies should be carried out in order to improve the efficiency of this tool for the benefit of aquaculture sector in the Mediterranean. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.