Efectos de la baja salinidad sobre la morfología y supervivencia del alga Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) cultivada en la Bahía de Ubatuba, Brasil suroriental

Authors

Valéria Cress Gelli Instituto de Pesca, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Secretaria da Agricultura e Abastecimento do Estado de São Paulo. Estrada do Professor Joaquim Lauro Monte Claro, 2275, Ubatuba, SP, 11688-102, Brazil.
Nair S. Yokoya Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais, Av. Miguel Estéfano 3687, São Paulo, SP, 04301-902, Brazil
Estela M. Plastino Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Keywords:

cambio climático, biobanco, cepas, hiposalinidad

Abstract

The cultivation of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) provides renewable raw materials and contributes to ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling, and climate change mitigation. However, extreme climatic events, including abrupt fluctuations in salinity, significantly affect its growth and survival. This study evaluated the impact of a heavy rainfall event in March 2024 on the morphology, survival, and recovery of 12 K. alvarezii strains cultivated at the Experimental Marine Farm of the Fisheries Institute, in Ubatuba Bay, São Paulo, Brazil. During the event, salinity decreased from 35 to 10 ‰, accompanied by reductions in water transparency and temperature. These changes caused necrosis of apical branches, loss of pigmentation, and abnormalities in thallus morphology. Mortality rates varied among the 12 color strains of K. alvarezii, with the light green gametophytic 'Edison de Paula' strain, the brown and emerald green tetrasporophytic strain, and the red and green tetrasporophytic strain exhibiting the highest losses. Strains of K. alvarezii cultured in the biobank of the Fisheries Institute enabled replanting the different strains in the sea, though recovery outcomes varied in accordance with each strain. This study highlights the critical importance of biobanks in mitigating the impacts of extreme climatic events on seaweed aquaculture, ensuring the ex situ conservation of genetic diversity and production sustainability. Cultivation strategies and the development of more tolerant strains are essential to enhance the resilience of K. alvarezii farming. The findings also underscore the need for public policies and investment in biobanks to safeguard aquaculture against environmental adversities and support sustainable development. Future research should focus on strain-specific responses to salinity levels below 15 ‰ and provide practical guidelines for cultivation under extreme environmental conditions.

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References

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