Spatiotemporal change in coastal waters caused by land-based fish farm wastewater-borne nutrients: Results from Jeju Island, Korea

Abstract

We investigated spatiotemporal distributions of dissolved inorganic nutrients and organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) in coastal waters and land-based fish farm wastewater to determine effects of wastewater on seawater of Jeju Island, Korea. The nutrient concentrations in seawater were lower than in wastewater with negative correlations against salinity, indicating a terrestrial source. Wastewater-derived DOC and DON were transported offshore while wastewater-derived inorganic nutrients were effectively removed, likely via biological production, and this was closely linked to decline in N:P ratios. The correlations between DOC, DON, and colored dissolved organic matter suggest that organic matters likely originate from the fish farm wastewater. Quantitatively, the estimated wastewater-derived DOC flux was equivalent to that through submarine groundwater, which is a significant water source on the island. Our results will be able to trace contaminant sources and support assessments of seawater quality for appropriate regulation of fish farm wastewater discharge into coastal zones.