Composition and seasonal variations of water quality and phytoplankton volatile organic compounds in different aquaculture zones of large yellow croaker net cages

Zheng Jia-Lang; Chen Tian-Hong; Chen Yong-Long; Wan Fa-Guo; Zhu Qing-Ling; Jiang Li-Hua; Chen Shun; Xie Shang-Wei; Song Wei-Hua; Yan Xiao-Jun

doi:10.12284/hyxb2025074

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Zheng Jia-Lang，Chen Tian-Hong，Chen Yong-Long, et al. Composition and seasonal variations of water quality and phytoplankton volatile organic compounds in different aquaculture zones of large yellow croaker net cages[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2025, 47(7)：1–10 doi: 10.12284/hyxb2025074

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Composition and seasonal variations of water quality and phytoplankton volatile organic compounds in different aquaculture zones of large yellow croaker net cages

doi: 10.12284/hyxb2025074

1.
National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
2.
Institute of Nanji Islands National Marine Nature Reserve, Wenzhou 325408, China
3.
Institute of Dongtou Ocean Development Research, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325799, China

Received Date: 2024-12-31
Rev Recd Date: 2025-03-17

Available Online: 2025-04-28

Abstract

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in phytoplankton refer to low-molecular-weight compounds with high vapor pressure that are either absorbed from the aquatic environment or metabolized within the organisms. This study aimed to reveal the composition characteristics and seasonal variation patterns of water quality parameters and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in phytoplankton from different large yellow croaker aquaculture net cages. Three sampling sites were selected, namely Dongtou (DT), Nanji (NJ), and Ningde (ND), and phytoplankton samples were collected from the net cages during the summer and autumn. The composition of VOCs was analyzed using automated headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), and its correlation with water quality parameters was examined. The results showed that the VOCs in the net cage phytoplankton of large yellow croaker were mainly composed of aromatics, hydrocarbons, esters, and ketones. The total VOC content and types were significantly higher in winter than in summer, with higher levels in DT and NJ compared to ND. In winter, the levels of naphthalene, and in summer, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol and Z-2-dodecenol were significantly higher in ND than in DT and NJ, indicating the stronger influence of human activities and potential ecological risks in ND. In summer, the levels of dihydro-2-methyl-3(2H)-furanone, 2-hexanal, and linalool were higher in the phytoplankton of the DT and NJ net cages than in ND, while no detectable levels were found in the net cages of all three aquaculture zones in winter. These aromatic VOCs may accumulate in the muscle tissue of large yellow croaker through the food chain, enhancing its flavor quality. Water quality parameters such as total nitrogen, active phosphate, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, pH, and dissolved oxygen exhibited significant differences across seasons and regions, and were closely related to the production and distribution of VOCs. The findings provide new insights into the understanding of marine net cage water quality health and offer important references for the development of VOCs as environmental monitoring biomarkers and optimizing the quality of large yellow croaker aquaculture.
- Phytoplankton,
- volatile organic compounds,
- water quality,
- flavor,
- pollutants

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