Sedimentation and Resuspension in Earthen Fish Ponds

Resuspension of particles from pond sediment into the water column may be an important nutrient transfer mechanism in aquaculture ponds. However, the magnitude of sediment re-suspension cannot be determined directly because sediment traps collect particles settling from the water column as well as those re-suspended from the pond bottom. We developed a dilution analysis method to differentiate the magnitude of the two particle source fluxes based upon the concentration of soil-derived elements (Si, Al, and Fe) and water-derived elements (C, N) in material collected by sediment traps placed in earthen ponds. Estimated organic C sedimentation from feed residues and algae was compared with trapped organic C as an independent and approximate measure of resuspension. Resuspension fluxes based independently on analyses of three soil-derived elements and on the estimation of expected C sedimentation were similar and accounted for 60–90% of the total solids flux (121–2,676 g/m² per d) in most ponds sampled. The proportion of total flux that was derived from resuspension in ponds stocked with common carp Cyprinus carpio and tilapia Oreochromis spp . was modeled as a hyperbolic function of fish size and density, with a threshold fish size of 200–300 g. Resuspension flux was conservatively estimated to be equivalent to the daily suspension of a few mm of the pond bottom. These results indicate that sediment resuspension is a major process in carp and tilapia ponds, suggesting that the exchange of nutrients between the sediment and overlying water is intensive.     

Bio-flocs technology application in over-wintering of tilapia

A 50-day experiment was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the bio-flocs technology for maintaining good water quality in over-wintering ponds for tilapia hybrid fingerlings (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus). To preserve adequate water temperatures in the ponds, they were covered with polyethylene sheets and the water exchange rate was minimized to increase pond water temperature. To avoid water quality deterioration, starch was added to the ponds to stimulate the formation of bio-flocs. Temperature in the covered ponds could easily be controlled and was 0.4–4.9 °C higher than the influent water. Adjusting the C/N ratio in the ponds by adding starch or increasing the amount of carbohydrates added through the feed limited the presence of inorganic nitrogen species when the C/N was about 20, even at high stocking densities of 20 kg/m³ at harvest. Fish survival levels were excellent, being 97 ± 6% for 100 g fish and 80 ± 4% for 50 g fish. Moreover, at harvest the condition of the fish was good in all ponds with a fish condition factor of 2.1–2.3. Overall, these findings can help to overcome over-wintering problems, particularly mass mortality of fish due to low temperatures in the ponds.     

The Use of Compost for the Reclamation of Saline and Alkaline Soils

? The results of a two year field experiment verified hypotheses concerning use of compost to improve saline and alkaline soils. The addition of compost to such soils was expected to release acids which would ultimately lead to the replacement of exchangeable sodium by calcium. The addition of compost would also stabilize soil structure and enhance plant growth. It was shown that the addition of municipal solid waste compost is equivalent, or even superior to the addition of gypsum, the common amendment used to reclaim alkaline soils. The overall effect of treatments on soil fertility was evident from yields of crops. The combined application of compost and gypsum raised yields to levels expected in good commercial fields.