Chapter 57, Problem 5Q

Summary Introduction

To review:

The ecological trade-offs that occur in mussel farming and whether the addition of sea cucumbers should be considered an ecosystem service.

Given:

Mussel culture in a coastal farm is causing a critical pollution problem as the waste generated by the mussels is being released into the water and is resulting in hypoxia or low levels of oxygen.

Introduction:

Aquaculture such as mussel farming can cause a huge impact on the ecosystem as the waste generated by the mussels to get released into the water. This increases the organic content in the water and can lead to hypoxia or low levels of oxygen, which is detrimental to the other organisms living in the particular aquatic ecosystem. Thus, it causes a serious problem of pollution.