Speed Presentation 2024 Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting combined with NZMSS

Effects of cleaning methods for contaminants control in Asparagopsis ssp. Cultivation  (#105)

Allyson Nardelli 1 , Jo Lane 1 , Aline Martins 2 , Thanh Hoang 2 , Margie Rule 3
  1. ASSA, Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  2. ASSA, Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
  3. ASSA, Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Interest in Asparagopsis ssp. aquaculture has increased in the last few years due to the possibility that seaweed plays a role in methane reduction. However, many gaps need to be filled for successful cultivation of Asparagopsis. Cultivation requires a clean culture without contaminants or contaminants that are under control on a large scale. Different approaches work for each contaminant; for example, some contaminants are sensitive to osmotic stress, and their tissue is damaged when exposed to freshwater for a few seconds. Others are not adapted to high water flow, and increasing the flow may damage the contaminant tissue. Light spectrum may be applied to control the same contaminant growth. However, all these approaches must be suitable to avoid stressing Asparagopsis too much and hinder its development. We tested different methods to control the contaminants developed and assessed how these methods affect the Asparagopsis armata development and survival. We used chemical treatments, GeO2, sodium hypochlorite, liquid detergent and H2O2, and physical treatments such as washing with pressurised sea water, air desiccation, and freshwater. Preliminary results show that some methods, such as freshwater, can reduce the development of some contaminants without visible damage to A. armata