Patterns of oxygen production and consumption in intensively managed marine shrimp ponds

Abstract. Temporal trends were determined for primary production and respiration in marine shrimp ponds. Dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) and water temperature were monitored in four marine shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone and P. monodon Fabricius , ponds during the grow-out. Wind speed was also measured. Pond production and respiration were estimated based on DO curves. Trend analysis revealed a significant decline in pond net production during grow-out. Ponds were autotrophic at the start of grow-out but heterotrophic at the end. Pond respiration, adjusted for water temperature, increased during grow-out. Temporal trends in pond gross production appeared to be influenced by seasonal patterns in solar radiation intensity. Pond sediments and water column were the chief consumers of oxygen in the pond, accounting for 51% and 45%, respectively, of the total pond oxygen consumed. Despite showing a marked increase during grow-out, shrimp respiration rate was of relatively minor importance in the pond oxygen budget. Pond management strategies to maintain positive pond net production and to mitigate the impact of sediment respiration on pond DO were recommended.