The efficiency and condition of oysters and macroalgae used as biological filters of shrimp pond effluent

Current shrimp pond management practices generally result in elevated concentrations of nutrients, suspended solids, bacteria and phytoplankton compared with the influent water. Concerns about adverse environmental impacts caused by discharging pond effluent directly into adjacent waterways have prompted the search for cost‐effective methods of effluent treatment. One potential method of effluent treatment is the use of ponds or raceways stocked with plants or animals that act as natural biofilters by removing waste nutrients. In addition to improving effluent water quality prior to discharge, the use of natural biofilters provides a method for capturing otherwise wasted nutrients. This study examined the potential of the native oyster, Saccostrea commercialis (Iredale and Roughley) and macroalgae, Gracilaria edulis (Gmelin) Silva to improve effluent water quality from a commercial Penaeus japonicus (Bate) shrimp farm. A system of raceways was constructed to permit recirculation of the effluent through the oysters to maximize the filtration of bacteria, phytoplankton and total suspended solids. A series of experiments was conducted to test the ability of oysters and macroalgae to improve effluent water quality in a flow‐through system compared with a recirculating system. In the flow‐through system, oysters reduced the concentration of bacteria to 35% of the initial concentration, chlorophyll a to 39%, total particulates (2.28–35.2 µm) to 29%, total nitrogen to 66% and total phosphorus to 56%. Under the recirculating flow regime, the ability of the oysters to improve water quality was significantly enhanced. After four circuits, total bacterial numbers were reduced to 12%, chlorophyll a to 4%, and total suspended solids to 16%. Efforts to increase biofiltration by adding additional layers of oyster trays and macroalgae‐filled mesh bags resulted in fouling of the lower layers causing the death of oysters and senescence of macroalgae. Supplementary laboratory experiments were designed to examine the effects of high effluent concentrations of suspended particulates on the growth and condition of oysters and macroalgae. The results demonstrated that high concentrations of particulates inhibited growth and reduced the condition of oysters and macroalgae. Allowing the effluent to settle before biofiltration improved growth and reduced signs of stress in the oysters and macroalgae. A settling time of 6 h reduced particulates to a level that prevented fouling of the oysters and macroalgae.     

Micro nutrient toxicity in French marigold

The influence of elevated levels of micronutrients on the growth and flowering of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) was investigated. Plants were grown with nutrient solution containing 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 mM boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), or zinc (Zn) and toxicity development was monitored. The threshold micronutrient concentrations that induced visible foliar toxicity symptoms were 0.5 mM B, 4 mM Cu, 4 mM Fe, 2 mM Mn, 1 mM Mo, and 5 mM Zn. The dry matter yields during the 5 week experimental period were reduced when micronutrient concentrations exceeded 0.5 mM B, 3 mM Cu, 3 mM Fe, 6 mM Mn, 0.5 mM Mo, and 5 mM Zn in the fertilizer solution. Leaf chlorophyll contents decreased when the nutrient solution concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Mn were greater than 0.5 mM, 3 mM, and 2 mM, respectively. Visual toxicity symptoms of the six micronutrients were characterized.     

Effect of Water pH on Yield and Nutritional Status of Greenhouse Cucumber Grown in Recirculating Hydroponics

ABSTRACT

Cucumbers are produced in integrated hydroponic and aquaculture systems (aquaponics). Aquaponics balances pH for plants, fish, and nitrifying bacteria. Nitrification prevents buildup of toxic waste ammonia by conversion to nitrate (NO₃ ^?)- nitrogen (N). The pH for hydroponic cucumbers (5.5–6.0) and nitrification (7.5–9.0) requires reconciliation to improve systems integration. Cucumbers were grown at pH of 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 with additional foliar sprays at pH 7.0 and 8.0. Plant shoot dry weight, length, N, and phosphorus (P) content at 14 DAT were similar from pH 5.0 to 7.0, but reduced at pH 8.0. Nutrient solution and shoot dry matter Mn and Fe decreased as pH increased. Foliar sprays had no effect on cucumber fruit yield. Early yield was higher at pH 5.0 compared to pH 8.0 but total yield was unaffected by pH. Cucumbers in recirculating culture may be maintained at pH levels more optimum for nitrification (7.5–8.0) except during production for early season markets.     

生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥排放臭气效果的中试

为研究生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥发酵处理过程产生臭气以及挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds,VOCs)的可行性,开展了死猪和猪粪混合堆肥试验,分析了死猪堆肥过程臭气浓度特性和VOCs组分特征,对生物过滤法去除臭气中VOCs的工艺关键参数-停留时间进行优化试验。死猪堆肥过程中排放VOCs种类达37种,其中主要致臭组分为三甲胺、二甲基硫、二甲基二硫、二甲基三硫;以腐熟猪粪堆肥作为滤料(添加3%活性污泥),在停留时间为30~100 s的条件下,生物过滤法对死猪堆肥排放臭气去除率达90%以上;停留时间60~100 s的条件下对VOCs中主要致臭组分的去除效率达82.2%~100%,生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥过程臭气浓度和VOCs的优化停留时间为60 s。研究结果能为死猪堆肥发酵过程排放臭气的处理和控制技术进一步研发提供科学依据。     

海水池塘养殖废水净化减排系统的设计和工程化技术

为保护海域环境质量,减轻养殖产业的自身污染,在浙江省东海塘水产养殖基地的设计中,为505.1 hm2的海水养殖池塘配置了80.0 hm2的潮汐式人工湿地生物净化池和13.3 hm2的河道式颗粒物降解系统。模型试验表明,海水人工湿地净化的工艺流程基本合理,净化系统运行平稳,经过跌水曝气—微生物膜降解—沙蚕摄食—缢蛏、牡蛎滤食—江蓠、紫菜、龙须菜的组合吸收等过程,养殖废水的COD、PO43--P、TAN、TSS等4项主要污染指标的平均降解率分别为70.45%、65.98%、71.10%、91.37%,取得了较显著的效果,实现了海水养殖废水的净化、减排的目的。     

Nutrient removal efficiency of Hydropuntia cornea in an integrated closed recirculation system with pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis

In this study, we have tested the effect of seaweed stocking density in an experimental seaweed biofilter using the economically important red seaweed Hydropuntia cornea integrated with the cultivation of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis. Nutrient removal efficiency was evaluated in relation to seaweed stocking density (2.5, 4, 6 and 8 g fw L^?1). Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) was the main nitrogen source excreted by F. brasiliensis, with concentrations ranging from 41.6 to 65 μM of NH₄⁺‐N. H. cornea specific growth rates ranged from 0.8 ± 0.2 to 1.4 ± 0.5% day^?1 with lowest growth rates at higher seaweed stocking density (8 g fw L^?1). Nutrient removal was positively correlated with the cultivation densities in the system. TAN removal efficiency increased from 61 to 88.5% with increasing seaweed stocking density. Changes in the chemical composition of the seaweed were analysed and correlated with nutrient enrichment from shrimp effluent. The red seaweed H. cornea can be cultured and used to remove nutrients from shrimp effluents in an integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture system applied to a closed recirculation system. Recirculation through seaweed biofilters in land‐based intensive aquaculture farms can also be a tool to increase recirculation practices and establish full recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) with all their known associated benefits.     

Performance characteristics of fluidised bed biofilters in a novel laboratory-scale recirculation system for rainbow trout: nitrification rates, oxygen consumption and sludge collection

A laboratory-scale recirculating aquaculture system for fluidised bed biofilter evaluation was engineered. The design included all components found in typical full-scale commercial production systems. The system included two identical units each with oxygenation, UV treatment, cooling, biofiltration and a particulates separation device. Water from the two systems was mixed in a degassing unit. A 1 month test period after biofilter maturation revealed stable concentrations of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite and nitrate within the system. Mean nitrification rate was 0.27 and 0.21 g TAN m⁻² day⁻¹. Oxygen consumption in the biofilters ranged between 56 and 64% due to nitrifying activity. Mass balances on nitrogen indicated that 48%, added via the feed, was converted to nitrate within the system, with 6% of the added nitrogen being found in the sludge. The remaining 43% was either used during fish growth, left the system, as organic nitrogenous compounds (or unidentified nitrogenous compounds), via the outlet, or was lost to the atmosphere. At least 61% of the nitrate produced was generated by the biofilters. The system proved to be an exceptional set-up for evaluation of the performance of fluidised bed biofilters, allowing both pre- and post-filter measurements of various water quality criteria.     

循环水养殖旋转式生物流化床生物过滤功能

生物过滤是循环水养殖水处理的关键,生物过滤功能启动以及操作条件直接影响到生物过滤的效果。该文以实验室规模旋转式生物流化床为研究对象,采用自然挂膜法研究海水和淡水生物过滤功能的启动;设置了3个膨胀率50%、75%、100%和4个C/N0、0.5、1.0、2.0,研究其对旋转式生物流化床处理养殖污水效率的影响。结果表明:1)以氨氮和亚硝态氮浓度降低并稳定为判断标准,淡水和海水系统旋转式生物流化床生物过滤功能启动完成分别需要47和60 d;2)污水处理效率随膨胀率增大而提高,该研究膨胀率为100%时处理效率最高,总氨氮转换率高达881 g/(m3·d);3)C/N增大,抑制生物膜的硝化功能,污水处理效果变差,C/N大于2.0时污水处理效果显著变差。该研究可为旋转式生物流化床在应用过程中生物过滤功能的启动和日常操作管理提供技术指导。     

湘江微污染饮用水源生物过滤试验研究

通过试验探讨了生物过滤对湘江微污染饮用水源的处理效果。试验结果表明，生物过滤可有效去除湘江微污染饮用水源中的可同化有机炎(AOC)、可生物降解有机炎(BDOC)、氨氮、铁、锰和浊度，提高饮用水生物稳定性。不同滤料介质组成的生物滤池具有不同的去除效果。由活性碳、石英砂组成的生物滤池对AOC、BDOC、氨氮、铁、锰等的去除效果比由无烟煤、陶粒和石英砂等滤料组成的生物滤池好，加氯水反冲洗对生物过滤具有明显的负面影响。     

生物过滤除臭试验装置的研究

生物过滤法是畜禽养殖场较为理想的除臭方法,在活性滤料筛选和除臭效果研究过程中,需要能同时进行多个处理的生物过滤除臭试验装置。为此,介绍了装置的设计参数、结构特点和工作原理。装置可配置5～12个试验柱单元,试验柱密闭系统气密性好,具备防腐、防渗、防锈、防挥发性气体等防护性能,且装卸方便,便于供试活性滤料的更换。整机性能试验结果显示,各单元内活性滤料相对湿度(79.96±1.76)%,排气出口处臭气流量(0.525±0.01)L/min,NH3去除率(96.86±1.65)%,系统差异性很小。装置已应用于除臭设备的试验研究,各项性能指标均达到设计要求。