Remote sensing provides new insights on phytoplankton biomass dynamics and black pearl oyster life-history traits in a Pacific Ocean deep atoll

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 181; p. 113863
• Main Authors: Lefebvre, Sébastien, Verpoorter, Charles, Rodier, Martine, Sangare, Nathanaël, Andréfouët, Serge
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2022; Elsevier
• Series: Part of special issue MANAGEMENT OF ATOLLS (ANR project MANA)
• Subjects: Aquaculture; atolls; biomass; chlorophyll; DEB model; Environmental Sciences; French Polynesia; Landsat; Landsat-8, time series; larval development; life history; marine pollution; oyster culture; oysters; Pacific Ocean; phytoplankton; Pinctada margaritifera; Plankton; Pacific Ocean; French Polynesia; Landsat-8, time series; DEB model; Plankton; Pinctada margaritifera; Aquaculture
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113863

Thus far, no long-term in situ observation of planktonic biomass have been undertaken to optimize the black-lip pearl oyster aquaculture in the remote Tuamotu atolls. The feasibility of using data from the OLI sensor onboard Landsat-8 satellite to determine chlorophyll a concentrations (Chla) in a deep atoll, Ahe, was then assessed over the 2013–2021 period using 153 images. Validations with in situ observations were satisfactory, while seasonal and spatial patterns in Chla were evidenced within the lagoon. Then, a bioenergetic modelling exercise was undertaken to estimate oyster life-history traits when exposed to the retrieved Chla. The outputs provide spatio-temporal variations in pelagic larval duration (11.1 to 30.6 days), time to reach commercial size (18.8 to 45.3 months) and reproductive outputs (0.5 to 1.7 event year−1). This first study shows the potential of using remote sensing to monitor the trophic status of deep pearl farming lagoons and help aquaculture management. [Display omitted] •Using remotely sensed products for a deep atoll lagoon is relevant.•Bottom reflectance was negligible at depth higher than 30 m.•Temporal variability and spatial distribution of chlorophyll a concentrations were highlighted.•Life-history traits of the black lip pearl oyster were quantified.