Xian Li , Yanlin Wang , Jia Chen

Tropical Animal Resources Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572000, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Marine Science, 2026, Vol. 16, No. 2   
Received: 28 Feb., 2026    Accepted: 05 Apr., 2026    Published: 20 Apr., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study investigates the water quality dynamics in grouper (Epinephelus spp.) cage aquaculture systems, with a focus on identifying spatiotemporal variation patterns, driving mechanisms, and their ecological implications. Based on field monitoring and systematic analysis, key water quality parameters-including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, nutrients, and organic matter-were evaluated to characterize environmental variability within and around cage farming areas. The results indicate that water quality exhibits pronounced diurnal, seasonal, and spatial heterogeneity, primarily driven by tidal exchange, hydrodynamic conditions, and meteorological forcing. Aquaculture activities, particularly feed input and metabolic waste release, significantly contribute to nutrient enrichment and organic load accumulation, which may further alter microbial community structure and ecosystem stability. External environmental factors, such as rainfall events, wind-driven mixing, and adjacent coastal pollution inputs, also play important roles in modulating water quality fluctuations. A case study from a representative aquaculture region further demonstrates the interaction between farming intensity and environmental response. Finally, the study discusses the impacts of deteriorating water quality on grouper physiological stress, disease susceptibility, and growth performance, and proposes integrated management strategies including ecological carrying capacity control, real-time monitoring systems, and sustainable aquaculture practices. These findings provide scientific support for optimizing cage aquaculture management and improving coastal water environmental sustainability.

Grouper aquaculture; Cage culture; Water quality dynamics; Spatiotemporal variation; Environmental management