Insight into the Inhibition of the Poisonous Sulfide Production from Sulfate-Reducing Microbiota in Mariculture Habitat

The production of toxic sulfides is a common environmental problem in mariculture.Therefore,the effective inhibition of sulfidogens is the key to prevent sulfides production.In this study,the possibility and mechanism of nitrate(NO_(3)^(−))inhibiting the activity of the sulfate-reducing microbiota(SRM)from mariculture sediments was investigated.The results showed that 1,3,and 5 mmol L^(−1)NO_(3)^(−)continuously inhibited sulfide production for 1-3 d.As NO_(3)^(−) dosage increased to 7 mmol L^(−1),the duration of inhibition increased to 6 days.Denitrifying product NO_(2)^(−)heavily inhibited the activity of dissimilar sulfate reductase gene(dsrB)by 3 orders,which was the main reason that the sulfate-reducing activity was inhibited.The SRM structure changed significantly with the dosage of NO_(3)^(−),while the abundance of sulfidogens Desulfovibrio species increased due to their capability of detoxifying nitrite through nitrite reductase.Hence,sulfidogens Desulfovibrio species are more adaptable to a high nitrate/nitrite environment,and the traditional control strategies by dosing nitrate/nitrite should be paid more attention to.The findings will serve as helpful guidelines for sulfate-reducing microbiota in the habitat of mariculture to reduce their generation of poisonous sulfide.

Organic Carbon in the Surface Sediments from the Intensive Mariculture Zone of Sanggou Bay: Distribution, Seasonal Variations and Sources

Mariculture has rapidly grown worldwide, which might greatly influence the biogeochemical cycle of organic carbon in coastal seas. In this study, several geochemical parameters, including grain size composition, sedimentary total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic compositions, were analyzed for surface sediments collected from different mariculture zones of Sanggou Bay and in different seasons. We investigated the composition and distribution of or- ganic matter in surface sediments and further evaluated the contribution of mariculture activities to TOC sources. The TOC and TN contents (mass percentage) in the bay were in the range of 0.14% to 1.45% and 0.03% to 0.20%, respectively. The spatial distribution indicated that sedimentary TOC and TN contents in shellfish monoculture and shellfish-kelp polyculture zones were higher than in other mariculture zones, which might be related to grain size composition and mariculture organisms. Seasonal variations of TOC contents were observed in different mariculture zones. The TOC/TN atomic ratio (C/N),δ13C and δ15N were in the ranges of 5.97 to 10.97, 21.76‰ to 13.14‰ and 2.13‰ to 8.08‰, respectively, implying that sedimentary organic matter in Sanggou Bay was the mixture of marine phytoplankton, terrestrial and maricultural sources. A simple mixing model based on δ13C was applied and the results indicated that the relative contributions of organic carbon sources in Sanggou Bay followed the order kelp (36.6%) marine phytoplankton (28.7%) shellfish bio-deposition (23.8%) terrestrial input (10.9%). Surface sediments in Sanggou Bay were domi- nated by mariculture-derived organic carbon, which on average accounted for 60.4% of TOC.

Marine Yeasts and Their Applications in Mariculture

The terrestrial yeasts have been receiving great attention in science and industry for over one hundred years because they can produce many kinds of bioactive substances. However, little is known about the bioactive substances of marine yeasts. In recent years, it has been found that marine yeasts have wide applications in mariculture and other fields. Therefore,marine yeasts, the bioactive substances from them and the applications of marine yeasts themselves and the bioactive substances they produced are reviewed in this paper.

Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of HCHs and DDTs in Surface Seawater and Sediment of the Mariculture Area of Jincheng Bay,China

The distribution of hexachloroeyclohexanes （HCHs） and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes （DDTs） in the surface sea- water and sediment of Jincheng Bay mariculture area were investigated in the present study. The concentration of total HCHs and DDTs ranged from 2.98 to 14.87ngL-l and were〈0.032ngL-1, respectively, in surface seawater, and ranged from 5.52 to 9.43 and from 4.11 to 6.72 ng g-l, respectively, in surface sediment. It was deduced from the composition profile of HCH isomers and DDT congeners that HCH residues derived from a mixture of technical-grade HCH and lindane whereas the DDT residues derived from technical-grade DDT and dicofol. Moreover, both HCH and DDT residues may mainly originate from historical inputs. The hazard quotient of α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH and δ-HCH to marine species was 0.030, 0.157, 3.008 and 0.008, respectively. It was estimated that the overall probability of adverse biological effect from HCHs was less than 5%, indicating that its risk to seawater column spe- cies was low. The threshold effect concentration exceeding frequency of γ-HCH, p,p＇-DDD, p,p＇-DDE and p,p＇-DDT in sediment ranged from 8.3% to 100%, and the relative concentration of the HCH and DDT mixture exceeded their probable effect level in sediment. These findings indicated that the risk to marine benthos was high and potentially detrimental to the safety of aquatic prod- ucts, e.g., sea cucumber and benthic shellfish.

Impacts of mariculture practices on the temporal distribution of macrobenthos in Sandu Bay, South China

Sandu Bay is located in the East China Sea and is characterized by high-density fish farming and kelp culture. Despite this, little is known about the impacts of these different mariculture practices on the local environment. We investigated the temporal variation in macrobenthos and environmental conditions at three sites in the bay （fish farming site, kelp culture site, and a control site）. We collected water and sediment samples during nine cruises between May 2009 and February 2010. The density of macrobenthos peaked at the fish farming site in July （655 ind./mE） whereas density did not fluctuate as widely at the other two sites. Biomass varied significantly at both the control and kelp culture sites, but had only a single peak at the fish farming site in June （21.90 g/mE）. The dominant species varied throughout the study period at the control and kelp culture sites, whereas a single terebellid species （Lysilla pacifica） dominated the macrobenthos at the fish farming site. The diversity index H＇ increased at the control site beginning in February then decreased after May, whereas H＇ was low at the other sites in December. The mean dissolved oxygen level was highest at the control site （6.59 mg/L） and lowest at the fish farming site （5.54 mg/L）. DO levels were lowest at all sites in summer （July and August）. The sediment acid volatile sulfide content was higher at the fish farming site （1.46 mg/g dry weight） than those at the kelp culture and control sites （1.22 and 0.14 mg/g, respectively）. Our results suggest that mariculture practices have a clear impact on the benthic environment/ community in Sandu Bay.

A two-year(2020–2021)observation of marine phycotoxins in phytoplankton in typical mariculture areas of East China Sea

To learn the marine phycotoxins(MPTs)contamination status in mariculture areas in the East China Sea(ECS),from May 2020 to October 2021,80 net-concentrated phytoplankton samples were collected from 12 stations in three typical areas with high incidence of red tides,namely,Gouqi Island,Sandu’ao-Lianjiang,and Zhangzhou-Dongshan Island in ECS,and MPTs of the samples were detected.Six types of toxins were detected in 24 samples from 9 stations.Lipophilic marine toxins(LMTs)were more common and diverse in these areas.Pectenotoxin 2(PTX2)was the main lipophilic marine toxin(LMT)in the concentrated phytoplankton samples and the occurrence showed seasonal differences from north to south.According to the potential risks of pectenotoxin(PTXs)to seafood safety,it is suggested to execute regular monitoring on PTXs in ECS and a mandatory standard should be formulated based on the comprehensive analysis of in-situ monitoring and lab research.Meanwhile,contamination risks of cyclic imine toxins in the north and domoic acid(DA)in the south of ECS should also be paid with attention to.Only 2 paralytic shellfish toxins(PSTs),N-sulfocarbamoyl toxin C2(C2),and decarbamoyl gonyatoxin 3(dcGTX3),were found from spring samples in the north of ECS.As the biggest mussel culture county of China,Gouqi Island showed higher toxin diversity and the toxin detection rate was higher than the other two areas.In Gouqi Island area,PSTs were a serious potential threat in spring,and LMTs instead of PSTs became the main risk in summer-autumn seasons.To ensure the safety of seafood and marine environmental health,it is recommended to conduct long-term targeted tracking and monitoring of MPTs in this and similar mariculture areas.

Effect of C/N Ratio on Nitrogen Removal of A/O-MBBR Process for Treating Mariculture Wastewater

In order to explore the effect of carbon and nitrogen(C/N)ratio on the performance of anoxic/aerobic-moving bed bio-film reactor(A/O-MBBR)process for treating mariculture wastewater,a laboratory-scale A/O-MBBR was conducted.The results showed that the reduction of C/N ratio was conducive to improving the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand(COD)and ammonia nitrogen(NH_(4)^(+)-N),while inhibiting that of nitrite nitrogen(NO_(2)^(−)-N)and nitrate nitrogen(NO_(3)^(−)-N).The extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)in anoxic zone were significantly higher in concentration than that in aerobic zone although they both declined with decrease of C/N ratio.The result provides solid support for better controlling the pollution of mariculture wastewater.

Salt-tolerant Microbiota Enhancing Contaminants Removal from Mariculture Wastewater Containing Sulfamethoxazole in an A/O-MBBR

The wide application of antibiotics in aquaculture requires an efficient treatment of the wastewater before discharging it into the environment.During the wastewater treatment,the influence of antibiotics on the performance of bioreactor should be well revealed due to their toxicity to the functional microbial community.In this study,the effect of feeding 10-30 mg L−1 sulfamethoxazole(SMX)in influent on the performance of an anoxic/oxic-moving bed biofilm reactor(A/O-MBBR)treating mariculture wastewater and the responding change of biofilm microbial communities was investigated.The COD average removal rate remained at 94.61%-97.34%with the dosage of SMX.Compared with that,the nitrifying removals of NH4+-N and NO2−-N were violently inhibited by 30 mg L−1 SMX and denitrifying removal of the NO3−-N decreased obviously with 20 mg L−1 or more SMX.The microbial community in the successful startup bioreactor was relatively abundant,while the diversity of microbial community decreased with the increase of feeding SMX.The salt-tolerant and SMX-resistant genera Arcobacter,Thiothrix,Desulfuromusa and Nitrosomonas were gradually enriched and finally played a vital role in converting COD and recycling nitrogen and sulfur.Hence,the present A/O-MBBR reactor with the salt-tolerant functional microbiota achieved efficient removal of pollutants in the presence of low concentration(e.g.,10 mg L−1)SMX.

Temporal species distributions of planktonic protist communities in semi-enclosed mariculture waters and responses to environmental stress

In order to evaluate the relationships between temporal species succession of planktonic protists and physical-chemical parameters in semi-enclosed mariculture waters, species distributions in response to environmental stress were investigated in a shrimp-farming pond near Qingdao, China during a complete shrimp-culture cycle （May to October 2002）. A clear temporal succession in species distribution was found over the complete farming cycle. For example, before the introduction of the shrimp larvae there was low-variability of species distribution in the protist communities whereas during the stages immediately after, there was higher variability in species composition. Multiple linear/logistic regression analyses demonstrate that 12 protist taxa （e.g., Gyrodinium spirale, Teleaulax acuta, Prorocentrum spp. and Mesodinium pupula） were related to the nutrients, in particular ammonia and phosphates, alone or in combination with water temperature. These results suggest that temporal variations in species distribution of planktonic protist communities might be used in assessing water quality of semi-enclosed mariculture waters.

Relationship between toxic and harmful microalgae and environmental factors in typical mariculture areas of East China Sea

Toxic and harmful algal blooms are usually more frequent in mariculture areas due to the abundant trophic conditions.To investigate the relationship between toxic and harmful microalgae and environmental factors,we set up 12 stations near three mariculture regions(Gouqi Island,Sandu Bay,and Dongshan Bay)in the East China Sea.We collected samples from all four seasons starting from May 2020 to March 2021.We identifi ed 199 species belonging to 70 genera,of which 38 species were toxic and harmful,including 24 species of Dinophyceae,13 species of Bacillariophyceae,and 1 species of Raphidophyceae.The species composition of toxic and harmful microalgae showed a predominance of diatoms in the summer(August),and dinofl agellates in the spring(May),autumn(November),and winter(March).The cell densities of toxic and harmful microalgae were higher in summer(with an average value of 15.34×10^(3) cells/L)than in other seasons,3.53×10^(3) cells/L in spring,1.82×10^(3) cells/L in winter,and 1.0×10^(3) cells/L in autumn.Pseudo-nitzschia pungens,Prorocentrum minimum,Paralia sulcata,and Prorocentrum micans were the dominant species and were available at all 12 stations in the three mariculture areas.We selected 10 toxic and harmful microalgal species with frequency>6 at the survey stations for the redundancy analysis(RDA),and the results show that NO^(-)_(3),water temperature(WT),pH,DO,and NO^(-)_(2) were the main factors on distribution of toxic and harmful microalgae.We concluded that the rich nutrient conditions in the East China Sea mariculture areas increased the potential for the risk of toxic and harmful microalgal bloom outbreaks.

Historical Evolution of Mariculture in China During Past 40 Years and Its Impacts on Eco-environment

The rapid development of mariculture in China in recent decades has satisfied people's demand of seafood, and has made a great contribution to economic development. However, mariculture has also caused some negative impacts on the eco-environment. By statistically analyzing national data(as well as data for four main provinces) regarding the mariculture area and cultivation species in China since reform and opening up, the historical evolution of mariculture during the past 40 years was analyzed, the driving factors related to policy, market and technology innovation were discussed, and the potential impacts of mariculture on the coastal eco-environment were also illustrated. The statistical results indicated that the maricultural area increased radically during the past 40 years, from 1979(116.47 × 10~3 ha) to 2012(2205.65 × 10~3 ha), with an increase of nearly 20-fold. Shandong Province represented the fastest-growing region, with an increase of 31-fold. Moreover, the cultivated species had gradually become diversified. Initially, shellfish and algae were major species, and then it developed to various species including fish, and currently shellfish and crustaceans were the major species. The development of mariculture was driven by government policies, market economy and technology innovation. Rapid development of mariculture also caused significantly adverse impacts on the eco-environment of the coastal regions. For example, the sea reclamation for mariculture decreased the area and function of coastal wetlands and the contaminants originating from mariculture destroyed the coastal aquatic environment. Fortunately, the implementation of ‘13 th Five-Year Fisheries Planning' is expected to help both improve the seafood quality and reduce the contamination in coastal aquatic environment. This current study will provide reference for management and structure adjustment of mariculture in the future.

Characteristics of Sulfide Removal by Hydrogenovibrio thermophilus Strain TT in Mariculture System

To biologically inhibit the production of highly toxic sulfide in the aquaculture area,one bacterium,designated as Hydrogenovibrio thermophilus strain TT,was isolated from sediment in Jiaozhou Bay,China.The strain was found to be microaerobic mixtrophic,employing both carbon dioxide and organic carbons,e.g.citrate,lactate,glucose,and peptone as carbon sources.When it oxidized the sulfide and thiosulfate,oxygen was the optimal electron acceptor,followed by nitrite and nitrate,which benefited to removal of sulfide under low-oxygen mariculture environment.In addition,the strain TT exhibited remarkable tolerance of sulfide and thiosulfate in seawater,and it was able to oxidize 18.52 mmol L^-1 S^2-in 12 h or 45 mmol L^-1 S2O3^2-in 24 h at initial pH 7.0-9.0,30-40℃.Therefore,this strain showed a quite promising application for biological remediation of sulfide-contaminated mariculture system.

Performance Evaluation and Microbial Shift of Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor Treating Synthetic Mariculture Wastewater Under Different Dissolved Oxygen at Aerobic Phase

The impact of dissolved oxygen(DO)at aerobic phase on the nitrogen removal,extracellular polymeric substances(EPS),microbial activity and microbial community of sequencing batch biofilm reactor(SBBR)have been evaluated in treating mariculture wastewater.The oxygen uptake rate and nitrification rate declined with DO concentration from 3–4 to 1–1.5mgL^(-1),whereas the denitrification rate had an increment.The activities of nitrifying enzymes reduced with the decrease of DO concentration at aerobic phase,but those of denitrifying enzymes illustrated opposite results.The nitrification and denitrification rates displayed the similar variation tendency with the relevant enzymatic activities as DO concentration decreased.The protein(PN)and polysaccharide(PS)content in EPS decreased as DO concentration declined,whereas the PN/PS ratio increased.The microbial community showed obvious difference as DO concentration decreased from 3–4 to 1–1.5mgL^(-1).The microbial co-occurrence,keystone taxa and sig-nificant difference illustrated some variations at different DO concentrations.

Tracing technique of stable ^（15）N isotope： an application in study of mariculture

Using Na15NO3 and 15NH4Cl as tracer, we studied the transfer of 15N along the food chain composed oforganisms such as Platymonas subcordiformis, Artemia salina, Penaeus penicillatus and Liza carinatus . The abundanceand atomic percentage of 15N in each organism, as well as the transfer of 15N among different biological phases weremeasured. Results show that, in the nutrient transfer from low level to high level along the md chain in the mediaof 15NH4Cl, the transfer rate of Artemia salina→Liza carinatus exceeded 3% and was higher than that in Na15NO3; the accumulation of 15N in the bodies of Liza carinatus with 15NH4Cl as media was also higher than that withNa 15NO3 as media.

Discharge Distribution and Quality of Tail Water for Mariculture in Tianjin

[Objectives] This study was conducted to understand the pollution load of mariculture in Tianjin. [Methods] The tail water discharged by the main mariculture methods in Tianjin was monitored, and the tail water quality was evaluated. According to the aquaculture area and distribution and the discharge destination of the aquaculture tail water, a preliminary evaluation of the pollutant discharge situation was carried out, and different aquaculture methods were compared and analyzed for the differences in discharged pollutants. [Results] The main pollution factors in pond mariculture were chemical oxygen demand(CODMn), active phosphate and total phosphorus. The main pollution factors in factory mariculture were inorganic nitrogen, active phosphate and total nitrogen. Pond mariculture showed higher up-to-standard rates of inorganic nitrogen and active phosphate contents and lower up-to-standard rates of suspended solids, CODMn, and total phosphorus content than factory mariculture, and the up-to-standard rates of total nitrogen and total phosphorus contents in the flowing water type of factory mariculture were higher than those in the circulating water type. The discharge of pond mariculture was less than factory mariculture, and mariculture had the greatest impact on Fuzhuang Drainage Canal in that 92.3% of the total pollutant discharge monitored went to Fuzhuang Drainage Canal. The circulating water type could reduce pollutant discharge compared with the flowing water type of factory mariculture. [Conclusions] This study proposed countermeasures and suggestions for reducing pollution from marineculture.

Nitrogen Pollution Threat to Mariculture and Other Aquatic Ecosystems:An Overview

In the back few decades,there has been a great increase in costal eutrophication across the globe resulting in hypoxia and anoxia,degradation of habitat,food-web modifications,and biodiversity loss due to the unregulated inputs of nitrogen to mariculture bodies.Before the 1850 and 1950 decades,before the industrial and green revolution,the rate of nitrogen supply on the Earth was limited to the bacterial nitrogen fixation rate but human deeds have adversely doubled the rate of the making of reactive,biologically available nitrogen on the Earth’s landmass and which is being supplied in an uncontrolled way to the mariculture bodies causing the threat to mariculture by eutrophication.The artistic eutrophication of the coastal marine ecosystem has the potential to cause toxicological and ecological effects to the proliferation of primary producers either directly or indirectly.The depletion of the level of dissolved oxygen has the potential to the manufacturing of the reduced compounds,like hydrogen sulfide,further resulting in higher adverse toxic effects on aquatic animals.Various inorganic nitrogenous compounds like NH4+,NH3,NO2−,HNO2,NO3−can be produced which can be taken up by the aquatic animals directly from the ambient water out of which ammonia(unionized)is highly toxic,while nitrate and ammonium(ions)are the least toxic but have the potential cause adverse effects on other flora and fauna also on humans.

Effect of Mariculture on Planktonic Protist:A Case Study in a Marine Ranch of Northern Yellow Sea,China

Mariculture exerts a direct influence on planktonic eukaryotic microorganisms protists.Previous studies have focused on phytoplankton,while the heterotrophic and parasitic protistan groups are unknown.Currently,in Muping Marine Ranch(MR)which is along the littoral zone of northern Yellow Sea of China,environmental DNA methods were employed to investigate the diversity and seasonal dynamics of near shore planktonic protists in response to mariculture.Through an integrated analysis of functional groups and a comparison to adjacent sea areas,we found a dominance of harmful algae blooms(HAB)species nearshore MR,and a significant reduction in the diversity of planktonic protists including photosynthetic,heterotrophic and parasitic groups.High nutrient and low salinity were suggested to drive the dominance of HAB species nearshore MR,which in return might inhibit predators,saprophytes and algal parasites.Our investigations revealed an Olisthodiscus luteus outbreak in spring,as well as significant seasonal variations in the planktonic protist community,which might be caused by the changes of temperature.The offshore hypoxia reduced the abundance of phytoplankton but increased mixotrophs and animal parasites of the protistan community nearshore MR.This study highlights the influence of mariculture on the overall community function of planktonic protists,and is helpful to assess the mariculture's impact on water health.

Physical Hydrography and Algal Bloom Transport in Hong Kong Waters

In sub-tropical coastal waters around Hong Kong, algal blooms and red tides are usually first sighted in the Mirs Bay, in the eastern waters of Hong Kong. A calibrated three-dimensional hydrodynamic model for the Pearl River Estuary （Delft3D） has been applied to the study of the physical hydrography of Hong Kong waters and its relationship with algal bloom transport patterns in the dry and wet seasons. The general 3D hydrodynamic circulation and salinity structure in the partially-mixed estuary are presented. Extensive numerical surface drogue tracking experiments are performed for algal blooms that are initiated in the Mirs Bay under different seasonal, wind and tidal conditions. The probability of bloom impact on the Victoria Harbour and nearby urban coastal waters is estimated. The computations show that： i） In the wet season （May - August）, algal blooms initiated in the Mirs Bay will move in a clockwise direction out of the bay, and be transported away from Hong Kong due to SW monsoon winds which drive the SW to NE coastal current; ii） In the dry season （November- April）, algal blooms initiated in the northeast Mirs Bay will move in an anti-clockwise direction and be carried away into southern waters due to the NE to SW coastal current driven by the NE monsoon winds; the bloom typically flows past the east edge of the Victoria Harbeur and nearby waters. Finally, the role of hydrodynamic transport in an important episodic event -- the spring 1998 massive red tide -- is quantitatively examined. It is shown that the strong NE to E wind during late March to early April, coupled with the diurnal tide at the beginning of April, significantly increased the probability of bloom transport into the Port Shelter and East Lamma Channel, resulting in the massive fish kill. The results provide a basis for risk assessment of harmful algal bloom （HAB） impact on urban coastal waters around the Victoria Habour.

Metabolic and Phylogenetic Profile of Bacterial Community in Guishan Coastal Water(Pearl River Estuary), South China Sea

Characteristics of a microbial community are important as they indicate the status of aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, the metabolic and phylogenetic profile of the bacterioplankton community in Guishan coastal water(Pearl River Estuary), South China Sea, at 12 sites(S1–S12) were explored by community-level physiological profiling(CLPP) with BIOLOG Eco-plate and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE). Our results showed that the core mariculture area(S6, S7 and S8) and the sites associating with human activity and sewage discharge(S11 and S12) had higher microbial metabolic capability and bacterial community diversity than others(S1–5, S9–10). Especially, the diversity index of S11 and S12 calculated from both CLPP and DGGE data(H >3.2) was higher than that of others as sewage discharge may increase water nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient. The bacterial community structure of S6, S8, S11 and S12 was greatly influenced by total phosphorous, salinity and total nitrogen. Based on DGGE fingerprinting, proteobacteria, especially γ- and α-proteobacteria, were found dominant at all sites. In conclusion, the aquaculture area and wharf had high microbial metabolic capability. The structure and composition of bacterial community were closely related to the level of phosphorus, salinity and nitrogen.

Size distribution of individuals in the population of Asterias amurensis(Echinodermata： Asteroidea) and its reproductive cycle in China

To obtain baseline information on the size distribution of individuals in the population and reproductive features of sea star Asterias amurensis, monthly surveys of the population were carried out from May to December 2010 and March to May 2015 in coastal waters off Yantai, China. Spawning period was predicted by gonad and pyloric caeca indices as well as anatomical and histological methods. In the A. amurensis population, both large individuals（〉143 mm） and small ones（〈42 mm） were present in all sampling months. The population size structure was driven by the appearance of big cohorts of individuals less than 55 mm from May to August. The appearance of small individuals in all months suggested a prolonged spawning period at other sites in this bay or sea stars growing slowly because of food shortage. An arm length is a good predictor to wet body weight for A.amurensis. The development of gonad was relative slow from May to September but rapidly reached a peak of20.95 in October 2010, and then dropped remarkably, indicating its spawning lasted from October to November.The same phenomenon was found from March to May 2015, suggesting another spawning during March to May,which was also verified by the results of histologic analysis on ovary. The gonad index（GI） and pyloric caeca index（PCI） tended to show a negative relationship. Due to the poor food availability, the reproductive characteristics of sea star were most likely affected by the shellfish mariculturein Yantai coastal waters.