Chemical composition and release rate of waste discharge from an Atlantic salmon farm with an evaluation of IMTA feasibility

The carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compositions of salmon feed, fish and faeces were studied at a salmon farm in Badstuvika (63°31’N, 9°9’E) in central Norway. These data were used to estimate the release rates of wastes from 2 salmon cages and the qualities of particulate wastes as food resources for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). About 38% of feed C, 43% of feed N and 24% of feed P were retained as fish biomass. About 62% of feed C, 57% of feed N and 76% of feed P were lost into the environment. Around 40% of feed C was respired as CO2, and 39% of feed N and 24% of feed P were excreted as dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. About 19% of feed C, 15% of feed N and 44% of feed P were released as particles. The chemical composition of feed was independent of time (p > 0.05). The faecal C content increased with increasing fish weight (r2 = 0.14, p 0.05). Our results suggested that P digestibility of feed may be 30%, but more information is still needed to reach conclusions on this. The C content of faeces was 70% of that of feed and the N content of faeces was 50% of that of feed. The P content was far higher than that of feed. The lipid, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid contents of faeces were comparable to those of some phytoplankton species. The results suggested that both feed and faeces are adequate food for blue mussels and sea cucumbers co-cultured with salmon, and the nutrient content may meet their nutritional requirements.publishedVersio

Chemical composition and release rate of waste discharge from an Atlantic salmon farm with an evaluation of IMTA feasibility

The carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compositions of salmon feed, fish and faeces were studied at a salmon farm in Badstuvika (63°31’N, 9°9’E) in central Norway. These data were used to estimate the release rates of wastes from 2 salmon cages and the qualities of particulate wastes as food resources for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). About 38% of feed C, 43% of feed N and 24% of feed P were retained as fish biomass. About 62% of feed C, 57% of feed N and 76% of feed P were lost into the environment. Around 40% of feed C was respired as CO2, and 39% of feed N and 24% of feed P were excreted as dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. About 19% of feed C, 15% of feed N and 44% of feed P were released as particles. The chemical composition of feed was independent of time (p > 0.05). The faecal C content increased with increasing fish weight (r2 = 0.14, p 0.05). Our results suggested that P digestibility of feed may be 30%, but more information is still needed to reach conclusions on this. The C content of faeces was 70% of that of feed and the N content of faeces was 50% of that of feed. The P content was far higher than that of feed. The lipid, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid contents of faeces were comparable to those of some phytoplankton species. The results suggested that both feed and faeces are adequate food for blue mussels and sea cucumbers co-cultured with salmon, and the nutrient content may meet their nutritional requirements

Chemical composition and release rate of waste discharge from an Atlantic salmon farm with an evaluation of IMTA feasibility

The carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compositions of salmon feed, fish and faeces were studied at a salmon farm in Badstuvika (63°31’N, 9°9’E) in central Norway. These data were used to estimate the release rates of wastes from 2 salmon cages and the qualities of particulate wastes as food resources for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). About 38% of feed C, 43% of feed N and 24% of feed P were retained as fish biomass. About 62% of feed C, 57% of feed N and 76% of feed P were lost into the environment. Around 40% of feed C was respired as CO2, and 39% of feed N and 24% of feed P were excreted as dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. About 19% of feed C, 15% of feed N and 44% of feed P were released as particles. The chemical composition of feed was independent of time (p > 0.05). The faecal C content increased with increasing fish weight (r2 = 0.14, p 0.05). Our results suggested that P digestibility of feed may be 30%, but more information is still needed to reach conclusions on this. The C content of faeces was 70% of that of feed and the N content of faeces was 50% of that of feed. The P content was far higher than that of feed. The lipid, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid contents of faeces were comparable to those of some phytoplankton species. The results suggested that both feed and faeces are adequate food for blue mussels and sea cucumbers co-cultured with salmon, and the nutrient content may meet their nutritional requirements

Environmental Impact of Feeding with Infant Formula in Comparison with Breastfeeding

Young children have unique nutritional requirements, and breastfeeding is the best option to support healthy growth and development. Concerns have been raised around the increasing use of milk-based infant formulas in replacement of breastfeeding, in regards to health, social, economic and environmental factors. However, literature on the environmental impact of infant formula feeding and breastfeeding is scarce. In this study we estimated the environmental impact of four months exclusive feeding with infant formula compared to four months exclusive breastfeeding in a Norwegian setting. We used life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, including the impact categories global warming potential, terrestrial acidification, marine and freshwater eutrophication, and land use. We found that the environmental impact of four months exclusive feeding with infant formula was 35–72% higher than that of four months exclusive breastfeeding, depending on the impact category. For infant formula, cow milk was the main contributor to total score for all impact categories. The environmental impact of breastfeeding was dependant on the composition of the lactating mother’s diet. In conclusion, we found that breastfeeding has a lower environmental impact than feeding with infant formula. A limitation of the study is the use of secondary LCA data for raw ingredients and processes.Environmental Impact of Feeding with Infant Formula in Comparison with BreastfeedingpublishedVersio

Are parents’ geographical origin associated with their evaluation of child and adolescent mental health services? Results from a national survey in Norway

The objective was to assess the association between parents’ geographical origin and their evaluation of outpatient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Data were collected in a national parent’s experience survey of all outpatient CAMHS in Norway in 2017. Following exclusions, 16,143 parents were part of the study, of which 5932 responded (36.1%). Diagnosis and global psychosocial functional level were collected from the National Patient Register. Multilevel regression was used to assess the association between parents’ geographical origin and parent evaluation of the outpatient CAMHS on ten indicators. Sentiment and content analysis was conducted on open-ended comments from parents. The estimated regression coefficients showed that parents born in Eastern Europe scored the services significantly poorer than parents born in Norway on outcome of treatment (− 7.73, p < 0.01), general satisfaction (− 5.53, p < 0.05), ease of getting in contact with health personnel outside of scheduled appointments (− 17.04, p < 0.001), and knowledge of the services that the child has received at the service (− 10.63, p < 0.001). Parents born in Asia/Africa/South America scored the services similar as Norwegian parents on eight of ten indicators, better on one (waiting time) and poorer on one (ease of getting in contact). Sentiment analysis showed that 54% of the comments from parents born in Eastern Europe were negative, compared to 42% for the Norwegian group and 36% for Asia/Africa/South America. The parents’ evaluation of the outpatient CAMHS were partly associated with their geographical origin, with parents born in Eastern Europe reporting poorer experiences than parents born in Norway

Are parents’ geographical origin associated with their evaluation of child and adolescent mental health services? Results from a national survey in Norway

The objective was to assess the association between parents’ geographical origin and their evaluation of outpatient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Data were collected in a national parent’s experience survey of all outpatient CAMHS in Norway in 2017. Following exclusions, 16,143 parents were part of the study, of which 5932 responded (36.1%). Diagnosis and global psychosocial functional level were collected from the National Patient Register. Multilevel regression was used to assess the association between parents’ geographical origin and parent evaluation of the outpatient CAMHS on ten indicators. Sentiment and content analysis was conducted on open-ended comments from parents. The estimated regression coefficients showed that parents born in Eastern Europe scored the services significantly poorer than parents born in Norway on outcome of treatment (− 7.73, p < 0.01), general satisfaction (− 5.53, p < 0.05), ease of getting in contact with health personnel outside of scheduled appointments (− 17.04, p < 0.001), and knowledge of the services that the child has received at the service (− 10.63, p < 0.001). Parents born in Asia/Africa/South America scored the services similar as Norwegian parents on eight of ten indicators, better on one (waiting time) and poorer on one (ease of getting in contact). Sentiment analysis showed that 54% of the comments from parents born in Eastern Europe were negative, compared to 42% for the Norwegian group and 36% for Asia/Africa/South America. The parents’ evaluation of the outpatient CAMHS were partly associated with their geographical origin, with parents born in Eastern Europe reporting poorer experiences than parents born in Norway

Modelling the cultivation and bioremediation potential of the kelp Saccharina latissima in close proximity to an exposed salmon farm in Norway

A 3-dimensional hydrodynamic-ecological model system (SINMOD) was used to estimate the full-scale cultivation potential of the brown alga Saccharina latissima in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) with Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. A previously developed model for the frond size and composition (carbon and nitrogen content) of S. latissima sporophytes was adjusted to data from an outdoor mesocosm growth experiment and then coupled and run online with the 3-dimensional model system. Results from simulations were compared with data from an IMTA field experiment, providing partial validation of the hydrodynamic–ecological–kelp model system. The model system was applied to study the large-scale cultivation potential of S. latissima in IMTA with salmon and to quantify its seasonal bioremediation potential. The results suggest a possible yield of 75 t fresh weight S. latissima ha-1 in 4 mo (February to June) and about 170 t fresh weight ha-1 in 10 mo (August to June). The results further suggest that the net nitrogen consumption of a 1 ha S. latissima installation in the vicinity of a fish farm producing approximately 5000 t salmon in a production cycle is about 0.36 (0.15) t NH4+-N, or a removal of 0.34% (0.41%) of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen effluent with a cultivation period from August (February) to June. Due to the differing seasonal growth patterns of fish and kelp, there was a mismatch between the maximum effluent of NH4+-N from the fish farm and the maximum uptake rates in S. latissima.publishedVersio