Impacts of climate change on water quality, benthic mussels, and suspended mussel culture in a shallow, eutrophic estuary

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25218
• Publication Date: 2024-01-28T15:12:12Z
• Authors: Marie Maar; Janus Larsen; Momme Butenschön; Trond Kristiansen; Hans Thodsen; Daniel Taylor; Vibe Schourup-Kri...
• Keywords: Biota; Zebra mussel; Hypoxia; Benthos

Climate change is a global problem that causes severe local changes to marine biota, ecosystem functioning, and services. The Limfjorden shallow, eutrophic estuary influenced by episodic summer hypoxia with an important mussel fishery suspended culture industry. Three future climate scenarios ranging from low greenhouse gas emissions (SSP1-2.6), intermediate (SSP2-4.5) very high (SSP5-8.5) were combined nutrient load reductions according the National Water Plans investigate potential impacts on natural benthic populations for two periods 2051-2060 2090-2099, relative reference period 2009 2018. FlexSem model 3D hydrodynamics pelagic biogeochemical model, sediment-benthos dynamic energy budget - farm scale culture. Model results showed was sensitive strongest responses of physics water quality in worst case SSP5-8.5 scenario no reductions. In scenarios, expected improvements bottom oxygen Chlorophyll