Synthetic fibre as biological support in freshwater recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of synthetic fibre as a biological support for the adhesion of nitrifying bacteria in an aquaculture recirculation system (RAS). It was developed from three assays over 120 days. In the first assay, the synthetic fibres used as biological support were introduced in tanks of biological filtration of the system for posterior respirometry analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Respirometry and SEM were performed 10 days after inoculation with nitrifying microorganisms. Water quality parameters were monitored daily, and the respirometry showed that the bacteria in this assay were consuming the following amounts of ammonium: concentrations [C1]35.369 mg NH₃/L, R² = 0.9912; [C2]51.628 mg NH₃/L, R² = 0.9883; [C3]79.494 mg NH₃/L, R² = 0.986; and [C4]215.225 mg NH₃L, R² = 0.9934. In the second assay, a 1920-L tank was stocked with 120 Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, with an initial weight 32.11 ± 7.6 g and a biomass of 3.8 kg. After 60 days, the tank and its contents were assessed to evaluate zootechnical parameters and physical–chemical parameters of water quality. From these results, a third assay was developed in which the biomass of fish was increased to challenge the recirculation system. The tank was stocked with 480 jundiá Rhamdia quelen (initial weight 11.34 ± 2.4 g and biomass 5.4 kg) for 60 days. In both the tilapia and jundiá assays, the fish were fed four times per day with a commercial diet of 35% crude protein and 42% crude protein, respectively, at 5% of each individual fish’s body weight. At the end of the zootechnical assays, the synthetic fibres used showed efficient biological support for bacterial growth, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The fibres also demonstrated maintenance of the water quality, which allowed good fish growth in the recirculating aquaculture system, and the maintenance of up to 11.19 kg/m³ of biomass of fish.     

不同养殖密度大口黑鲈在室内工厂化循环水养殖系统中的生长特性

为研究大口黑鲈（Micropterus salmoides）在工厂化循环水养殖条件下不同放养密度的生长规律,本研究选取规格一致[平均体长（6.70±0.64） cm,平均体质量（4.38±1.40） g]的大口黑鲈幼鱼分别按80 ind/m³（D1组）、96 ind/m³（D2组）、112 ind/m³（D3组）、128 ind/m³（D4组）放养密度饲养在16个2.5m³工厂化循环水养殖桶中,每个密度组设4个平行,根据不同生长阶段投喂不同口径的大口黑鲈专用配合饲料,实验时间为160 d。结果显示：4组大口黑鲈终末体长和体质量生长指标均较为接近,无显著差异;平均成活率82.50%～85.63%,组间成活率差异不显著;平均饵料系数（FCR）是1.5,最高是D4组1.74,最低是D1组1.34,各密度组FCR随放养密度的增大而显著增大,D1组与D3组、D1组与D4组和D2与D4组差异显著,其他组间无显著差异;4组大口黑鲈体长、体质量变异系数无显著性差异;体长（L）与日龄（t）均呈线...     

Mathematical model for goldfish recirculating aquaculture system (GRAS)

A mathematical model is framed for a goldfish recirculating aquaculture system based on unsteady-state mass balance for prediction of the concentration of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite-nitrogen (NO₂-N), nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N), dissolved oxygen (DO) and total suspended solids (TSS). The goldfish were stocked at 100 numbers per m³ of rearing water volume of 5 m³ tank capacity in the years 2009 and 2010 and the model was calibrated and validated. The recirculation flow rate was fixed at 29,000 L/day. The model parameters were estimated as k_TAN (mg of TAN generated per kg of feed): 20,000, M (mortality rate): 0.002 day⁻¹, α (percentage of feed conversion to suspended solids): 23.8, k_oxy (mg of oxygen required for fish respiration per kg of feed applied in unit time): 300,000, k_b (partial nitrification in the culture tank): 0.86 and the reaction rate constants, k₁ and k₂: 84.65 day⁻¹ and 42.03 day⁻¹ respectively and temperature growth coefficient (TGC): 5.00 × 10^-5. The model efficacy was adjudged by estimation of the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), Nash-Sutcliffe modelling efficiency (E_NS) and graphical plots between predicted and observed values.     

工厂化水产养殖水体的pH值在线自动控制系统

工厂化水产养殖水体的pH值在线自动控制系统=Automatic control system of pH value in the recirculating aquaculture[刊,中]/朱明瑞(中国水产科学研究院黑龙江水产研究所,黑龙江 哈尔滨150070),曹广斌,蒋树义,韩世成//水产学报,－2007,31（3）,－335～342 根据鱼类养殖的水体适合pH值范围为6.5～8.5,硝化细菌进行硝化反应去除氨氮的pH值在7.0以上,养殖水体的pH值大于8.75就会产生大量对鱼类有毒的非离子态氨的生产实际情况,进行了工厂化水产养殖水体的pH值控制研究。由于pH值的中和过程是非线性的,很难控制,所以本文根据水产水体养殖的要求确定将pH值控制在7.0～7.5之间的稳定范围内,确保整个控制过程在pH值变化的线性范围,降低控制难度。控制采用PID算法,以占空比方式控制电磁阀添加中和剂,实现对pH值的控制。中和剂选择NaOH和NaHCO3,并进行了稳定控制配比试验,浓度分别为2 g•L-1和20 g•L-1的配比组,获得满意效果。本控制系统使用电磁阀而不是变频器或是调节阀之类昂贵作为执行元件,方法简单,成本低廉,控制准确可靠,是一种非常适用于工厂化水产养殖的pH值在线自动控制系统。图8表6参9     

Commercial land-based farming of European lobster (Homarus gammarus L.) in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) using a single cage approach

In the past, farming of the European lobster in land-based systems has turned out to be difficult. The ideal system for rearing lobsters individually should be relatively inexpensive to construct and operate, simple to maintain, based on automatic feeding and self-cleaning of tank and cages, maintain ideal water quality conditions, use space in three dimensions, enable high densities, conserve water at high temperatures, ensure good survival and permit easy access to the livestock for inspection and feeding. Several attempts have been made to mass-produce these cannibalistic crustaceans under controlled environments. However, none of the many previous attempts have proved to be successful in incorporating all of these features into a single design. Thus, the development of land-based lobster farming has been severely hampered by lack of suitable technology and production methods. The major constraints have been the need for individual rearing cages to avoid cannibalism, need of heated water, lack of high quality dry food, high labor costs, inadequate technological solutions and high investment costs.Today, Norwegian Lobster Farm operates the world's first land-based RAS farm producing plate sized lobsters. The company also operates its own brood-stock department and a hatchery for production of IV-stage juveniles. The system contains a patented single cage technology with moving bed biofilters where the recirculation system is designed to fit the water management. Automated solutions for accurate feeding, robots supporting mass-rearing of the IV-stage juveniles and image processing programs for daily monitoring of each single individual have been developed and successfully tested.     

Using brine shrimp as a drug carrier for therapeutic applications in aquaculture

A method is described to introduce water-insoluble drugs into brine shrimp nauplii (BSN). The uptake of drug by brine shrimp may be modeled as a batch adsorption process; in this way, one can calculate the dosage required for a given population of BSN. The results of this study show that a drug can be loaded into BSN at concentrations up to 9 μg per nauplius. Such concentration is high enough to fulfill the recommended dosage for an adequate treatment of BSN-feeding fish or shrimp larvae. Results are also presented on the loss of drug upon the transfer of larvae from medicated water to drug-free water.     

工厂化水产养殖中的自动控制技术

本文从工厂化水产养殖自动控制系统的组成、自动控制方法、自动控制技术在水质参数检测与调控中的应用等方面,论述了有关研究的技术成果和未来发展趋势.根据水产养殖工业化和自动化发展,以及自动控制技术在水产养殖中的广阔应用前景,指出了发展水产养殖自动化检测和调控精准技术的必要性,提出发展规范化、标准化的水产养殖自动化技术,以推动...     

工厂化水产养殖中的自动控制技术

本文从工厂化水产养殖自动控制系统的组成、自动控制方法、自动控制技术在水质参数检测与调控中的应用等方面,论述了有关研究的技术成果和未来发展趋势。根据水产养殖工业化和自动化发展,以及自动控制技术在水产养殖中的广阔应用前景,指出了发展水产养殖自动化检测和调控精准技术的必要性,提出发展规范化、标准化的水产养殖自动化技术,以推动水产养殖工业化的发展。     

An integrated recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for land-based fish farming: The effects on water quality and fish production

To mitigate the serious water pollution caused by the rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry in recent years, the development of improved aquaculture systems with more efficient water usage and less environmental impact has become essential. In this study, a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) was established that consisted of purification units (i.e., a primary biological pond, two parallel horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands [CWs], and a long ecological ditch) and 4-5 series-connected recirculating ponds. This system was mainly designed to stock channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), fifteen spine stickleback (Spinibarbus sinensis) and yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), and the culture efficacy was evaluated based on a 2-year field experiment covering two growing seasons. According to the results, the primary biological pond played a role in sedimentation or nutrient retention, although this was not as evident when the CWs were functioning. The water flowing through the wetland system at a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 600 mm/day displayed lower values for the temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), suspended solids, organic matter and nutrients, whereas the electrical conductivity (EC) was higher, suggesting the accumulation of dissolved solids in the system. Due to the recirculation treatment, the trophic status of the recirculating ponds increased gradually along the direction of the flow and was notably lower in comparison to the control. As a result, the fish production responded to the variation of the water quality, which was reflected in the measurements of culture efficacy (final weight, survival rate, SGR and yield). The three main rearing species showed a decreasing trend along the direction of the flow, which was higher compared to the control, whereas an opposite trend was observed for filter-feeding fish. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the main culture species were inclined to live in meso- or oligotrophic conditions, and the silver carp adapted to more eutrophic conditions. Because RAS can provide better environmental conditions year-round, the present culture method could be more suitable for species that are sensitive to water quality in typical subtropical areas.     

Economic feasibility of Pabda and stinging catfish culture in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in Bangladesh

Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is a unique approach that offers total control to culture a wide variety of aquatic species. As capital investment is higher for setting up RAS, it is necessary to conduct an economic feasibility analysis based on real data. A structured questionnaire was used to collect all economic and technical data on two catfish species, viz., Pabda (Ompok pabda) and Shing (Heteropneustes fossilis), cultured in an RAS farm. The ultimate objective was to estimate net cash flow, net present value (NPV), profitability index (PI), payback period, discounted payback period, internal rate of return (IRR), and sensitivity analysis to find out the best profitability indicators. The analysis revealed that the IRR were 4% and 16% for Pabda and Shing production, respectively. However, for Pabda and Shing productions, the payback periods were 15 years and 4 months and 6 years and 2 months, respectively. The NPV value was positive for Shing production and negative for Pabda. On the other hand, the PI was lower than one for Pabda production and higher than one for Shing production. Therefore, the results showed that the Shing production in the RAS facility could be economically feasible; however, Pabda production may not be viable in RAS due to lower production and longer culture period. This study may suggest that by increasing the production capacity of the farm and market price of the product through the proper supply chain and by decreasing the initial investment, cost of fingerlings and feed, profitability can be achieved in RAS in Bangladesh.

     

石斑鱼循环水养殖系统微生物群落结构

通过16S rRNA基因片段高通量测序研究了褐点石斑鱼(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)和东星斑(Plectropomus leopardus)循环水养殖系统水体细菌种群结构。结果显示石斑鱼循环水养殖系统中优势细菌类群为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、蓝藻门(Cyanobacteria)、梭杆菌门(Fusobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和硝化螺旋菌门(Nitrospira)。其中养殖塘、固液分离池、沉淀池和蛋白分离池中主要优势细菌为γ-变形菌纲(Gammaproteobacteria),紫外消毒池和补氧池中则以a-变形菌纲(Alphaproteobacteria)为主,而生物滤池中两者比例接近,均为优势种群。从养殖塘到补氧池细菌多样性指数先降低后升高,生物滤池中达到最高值,之后再次下降至紫外消毒池中达到最低值,补氧池中有所回升。PCoA分析和聚类分析结果表明,养殖水在紫外消毒前后其细菌群落组成有着明显的差异。水质理化指标检测表明,经过净化处理后,循环系统的养殖水溶解氧含量上升,氨氮和亚硝酸盐含量下降并维持在较低的浓度。环境因子与细菌群落结构相关性分析结果表明,磷酸盐、pH、溶解氧和温度等指标可能对细菌群落结构影响相对较大,但未发现两者间有很显著的相关性,这可能与实验样本较少有关。     

Growth and reproductive performance of broodstock shrimp reared in a biosecure recirculating aquaculture system versus a flow-through pond

Over the past decade, viral pathogens have caused mass mortalities of farmed shrimp throughout the major shrimp farming regions of the world. In addition, the global shrimp farming industry has been criticized for negatively impacting coastal environments. These issues have raised concerns about the sustainability of traditional shrimp farming practices, and have prompted farmers and researchers to develop biosecure technologies that promote a sustainable industry. Current technologies include the use of specific pathogen free (SPF) shrimp that are grown to market size in recirculating systems that rely on pathogen exclusion. Inherent in this approach is the need to produce SPF broodstock under biosecure conditions. However, there is a paucity of information on broodstock growth and reproductive performance when they are reared in recirculating systems. The present investigation compares shrimp growth and reproductive performance in two trials where shrimp were cultured from market size (20 g) to broodstock size (40–60 g) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) versus a flow-through earthen pond (EP). In trial 1, mean growth rates of males and females in the RAS were 0.83 and 1.33 g/week, respectively. In the EP, males and females grew 1.07 and 1.48 g/week, respectively. In trial 2, mean growth rates of males and females in the RAS were 0.90 and 1.53 g/week, respectively, whereas in the EP, males and females grew and 1.24 and 1.78 g/week. Slower growth rates in the RAS may be attributed to the lack of natural productivity, which provides supplemental nutrition to the shrimp. In addition to growth rates, reproductive performance of broodstock reared in the RAS was compared with historical reproductive performance of broodstock reared in the EP. Data on spawning success and production of viable nauplii revealed no significant differences (P>0.05) between broodstock shrimp reared in these two systems. These results indicate that broodstock shrimp can be cultured in a biosecure RAS while maintaining good growth and high survival. In addition, reproductive performance of broodstock shrimp reared in a RAS is not compromised when compared with broodstock shrimp reared in a conventional, flow-through pond.     

海水循环养殖系统冬季运行水温和水质控制

为探讨江苏沿海地区海水鱼类养殖过程中的越冬问题,构建了基于温室保温与微藻净水的封闭式循环水养殖系统,用于开展黑鲷越冬试验。通过在线监测系统记录冬季运行期间系统内外水温与气温,研究太阳能温室的保温性能;通过定期采样检测养殖系统水质,比较投加微藻前后养殖池水质的差异,研究微藻净水的可行性。结果显示:冬季温室内海水循环养殖系统的平均水温显著高于温室外水温,有利于黑鲷顺利越冬并延长生长期;在养殖系统内接种微藻可有效降低水体氨氮(NH+4-N)浓度,并将亚硝酸盐氮(NH-2-N)浓度维持在较低水平,有利于维护养殖系统水质稳定。研究表明:集成温室保温与微藻净水的海水循环养殖系统可实现黑鲷越冬养殖。本研究可为存在积温不足和越冬问题的区域发展海水鱼类养殖提供参考。     

复合池塘循环水养殖系统生态足迹分析

生态足迹模型已广泛应用于可持续发展的评估中。将生物塘、人工湿地、生态沟渠等生态工程系统与传统养殖塘有机结合而构建形成的复合池塘循环水养殖系统,作为一种新养殖模式,它具有循环微流水养殖、种养结合、水陆交互作用的特点。本文运用生态足迹方法对这一新养殖模式进行了定量分析。结果表明:就单位利润生态足迹量而言,复合池塘循环水养殖模式为2.92 ghm2/万元,而传统池塘养殖模式为4.91ghm2/万元,复合模式具有更高的生态经济综合效益,更符合可持续发展要求。     

The use of acoustic acceleration transmitter tags for monitoring of Atlantic salmon swimming activity in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)

Successful operation of recirculating aquaculture systems is dependent on frequent monitoring of the optimal function of water treatment processes in order to maintain environmental conditions for optimal growth and welfare of the fish. Real time monitoring of fish status is however usually not an integrated part of automatized systems within RAS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of implanted acoustic acceleration transmitters to monitor Atlantic salmon swimming activity. Twelve salmon post-smolts were individually tagged and distributed in three tanks containing salmon at start density of 50 kg m⁻³. The tagging did not cause any mortality and all individuals increased their body weight during this study. Following initial recovery, acceleration data were continuously logged for one month, including treatment periods with exposure to hyperoxic (170% O₂ saturation) and hypoxic (60% O₂ saturation) conditions, and different tank hydraulic retention times (HRT; 23 and 58 min). Changes in-tank dissolved oxygen levels to hyperoxic and hypoxic conditions reduced the total activity of Atlantic salmon in this study. On the contrary, increased and reduced tank HRT increased the total activity levels. Feeding periods induced a sharp increase in the Atlantic salmon swimming activity, while irregular feeding caused larger oscillations in activity and also lead to increased swimming activity of the tagged fish. Atlantic salmon responded with a maximum recorded total activity to stress caused by technical problems within the system and consequent changes in the RAS environment. The results of this study indicate that Atlantic salmon respond quickly with changed swimming activity to changes in the water quality and acute stress caused by normal management routines within RAS. The use of acoustic acceleration transmitters for real time monitoring of swimming activity within aquaculture production systems may allow for rapid detection of changes in species-specific behavioural welfare indicators and assist in the refinement of best management practices. In addition, acceleration tag could potentially serve as a valuable research tool for behavioural studies, studies on stress and welfare and could allow for better understanding of interaction between fish and RAS environment.     

河蟹青虾混养池塘循环水净化效能的初步分析

在河蟹青虾混养池塘构建封闭式循环水养殖系统,并对其净化效果和养殖效益进行了初步研究。结果表明：该系统对水体TN、TP、NH4＋-N和CODMn的平均净化效率分别为27.33%、56.14%、43.91%和39.59%。经湿地净化后的水质能够达到GB3838-2002地表水Ⅲ类排放标准,平均纯收益达53769元/hm2。     

Performance of sequencing microbead biofilters in a recirculating aquaculture system

Biological filtration, or biofiltration, is the key technology in recirculating aquaculture systems. Sequencing microbead biofilters, in which the media maintains a continuous up-and-down movement, are based on traditional microbead filters but offer superior filtration properties. The performance characteristics of a sequencing microbead biofilter installed in a recirculating aquaculture system for rearing Barcoo perch at 29 ± 1 °C were examined. The total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN) concentrations and the nitrite-nitrogen concentrations during a 52-day culture period were maintained blow 1.6 mg/L and 0.9 mg/L. In order to ensure efficient biofiltration, the optimal actual application of hydraulic retention time was determined to be approximately 3–5 min. The water flow produced by the reciprocating motion of the media served to wash away suspended solids, ensuring the occurrence of optimal nitrification processes. Additionally, the reciprocating motion of the media enhanced ammonia treatment efficiency significantly by improving the transport of nutrients and nitrification activity. Compared to a static situation the ammonia removal rate increased by 27% based on the application of up-and-down reciprocating movement. The biofilm on the microbead forms as a compact, complex, and homogeneous structure, consisting of numerous microscopic thin sheets. Additionally, a multitude of pores, interstitial voids, and vertical channels were widely observed to convey obviously advantageous properties in support of fluid passage, thus enhancing mass transfer and ultimately contributing to biofiltration effectiveness. The optimum biofilm thickness for providing efficient biofiltration was determined to be approximately 70 μm for this filter.     

Cortisol and testosterone accumulation in a low pH recirculating aquaculture system for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Steroids accumulate in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), although explanatory factors for such accumulation are still poorly explored. This study investigated the effect of water exchange rate and pH in six replicated RAS on the concentration of the stress hormone cortisol in rainbow trout blood plasma and in the holding water and of the sex steroids testosterone, 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) and 17,20β‐dihydroxypregn‐4‐en‐3‐one (17,20β‐P) over a 70‐day experimental period. Three combinations of water exchange rate and pH were used each treatment, with two replications: (i) high water exchange rate (±1700 L kg^?1 feed) and neutral pH (±7.3), (ii) low water exchange rate (±500 L kg^?1 feed) and neutral pH (±7.3) and (iii) low water exchange rate (±500 L kg^?1 feed) and low pH (±5.8). Plasma cortisol concentrations at day 70 were higher (24.4 ± 9.5 ng mL^?1) for fish kept at low pH when compared to fish kept at neutral pH (12.0 ± 0.1 and 8.7 ± 0.2 ng mL^?1). Water cortisol and testosterone concentrations at day 35 were higher at low pH than at neutral pH, whereas water 11‐KT and 17,20β‐P did not differ among treatments. At day 70, there were no significant differences between low and high pH. These results demonstrate that low pH contributes to increased plasma cortisol concentrations and to its accumulation in water, possibly indicating a stress response to low pH. The higher concentration of testosterone but not of the other sex hormones point to unspecified reproductive effects that need further investigation.     

Phosphorus removal in a marine prototype, recirculating aquaculture system

Phosphorus dynamics were examined in a prototype, zero-discharge, marine-recirculating system. Operation of the system without discharge of water and sludge was enabled by recirculation of effluent water through two separate treatment loops. Surface water from the fish basin was pumped over a trickling filter in one loop, while bottom-water was recirculated through a sedimentation basin followed by a fluidized bed reactor in the other treatment loop. Ammonia oxidation to nitrate in the trickling filter and organic matter digestion together with nitrate reduction in the sedimentation basin and fluidized bed reactor were the main biological features of this treatment system. Orthophosphate concentrations did not exceed 15 mg PO₄–P/l in the culture water during more than 1 year of system operation. Much of the phosphorus was retained within the sedimentation basin and fluidized bed reactor. In these treatment stages, the phosphorus content of organic matter was as high as 17.5% and 19%, respectively. High concentrations of total phosphorus and low concentrations of soluble orthophosphate were measured in the initial stages of sedimentation under oxic and anoxic conditions, suggesting that most of the phosphorus was associated with organic matter. Depletion of oxygen and nitrate in the sludge layers of the sedimentation basin coincided with sulfate reduction to sulfide and a release of soluble orthophosphate. The observed phosphorus dynamics in this marine system supported findings from previous studies in which it was demonstrated that denitrifiers underlie phosphorus immobilization under these conditions.