Micro-particles in recirculating aquaculture systems: particle size analysis of culture water from a commercial Atlantic salmon site

As part of a larger study of micro-particles in a recirculating, cold water aquaculture system for juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), particle size analyses were carried out on the culture and makeup waters over several months followed by samples of feed stirred in water. The particle size distributions followed the power law described in [Aquacult. Eng. 19 (1999): 259] but with a superimposed spike at around 4 μm in the culture water, which was not present in make-up waters. A similar spike appeared in the feed samples indicating that the spike had a feed origin. While the absolute value of the power law exponent (designated β, or the Beta value) was in the range of 2.6–3.6, consistent with aquacultural waters, the build-up of fine particles, expected in a recirculating system with time and which would have been indicated by an increase in Beta value to above 4, did not occur due to a system high water turn-over rate flushing much of the finer particles. There is a particle counts increase occurring across the degasser/oxygenator that needs further investigation.     

牙鲆养殖循环系统中固体废物的粒径分布与沉降特征

沉淀槽是收集系统中固体废物的最简单装置,其设计参数与其沉淀的颗粒物特性有关。通过研究牙鲆（Paralichthys olivaceus）养殖循环系统产生固体废物的粒径分布和沉降特征,得到了牙鲆养殖固体废物去除的沉淀槽设计参数——溢流率与颗粒物去除效率间的关系,可作为设计沉淀槽时参考。结果表明：系统产生固体废物量为0.13-0.27 kg TSS/kg饲料,平均为（0.22±0.06）kg TSS/kg饲料。沉淀槽中固体废物主要为粒径〈200μm的颗粒,占51.5%,其粒径分布符合双曲线型分布。在给定溢流率的情况下,沉淀槽的固体废物理论去除效率可采用颗粒物的沉降曲线估算。溢流率为1/16 m3/（m2.s）时计算的颗粒物理论去除效率为81%。     

Dosages radioimmunologiques heterologues de gonadotropines de type glycoproteiques maturantes de poissons teleosteensHeterologous radioimmunological doses of gonadotropins of maturing glycoproteins of teleosts

The immunological specificity of fish gonadotropin does not generally allow the use of the homologous RIA systems prepared for salmon and carp GtH for the determination of gonadotropin in other species. Recently, an RIA using an antibody directed against the β c-GtH subunit has enabled GtH measurement in the eel. A similar approach using the s-GtH β subunit in homologous salmon systems and combinations between carp and salmon β systems has been developed. and β subunits and the corresponding antibodies have been prepared from carp and salmon GtH. A study of the binding of the six antigens to each of the six antibodies confirms the species specificity of the subunits. On the other hand, all the systems in which a β component is included, homologous or heterologous, for carp and salmon, are less specific and recognized c-GtH as well as s-GtH. The competition by pure antigens, partially purified pike and gilthead sea bream GtH, tilapia, milkfish and eel pituitary extracts, for the binding of s and β s-GtH, c and β c-GtH to the anti-serum directed against these four components has been studied. It was always possible to find one or several antigen-antibody combinations which were specifically competed for by each of the gonadotropic preparations. The assay has been validated for gilthead sea bream GtH by comparison of the results obtained after RIA determination and biological assay. Assays performed with perch show that it is also possible to use these systems for the GtH estimation in the plasma of this species.

Résumé

La spécificité immunologique des gonadotropines de poissons, n'autorise généralement pas l'utilisation des systèmes de dosage radioimmunologique (RIA) homologues existant pour les GtH Carpe et Saumon, à la mesure des concentrations de GtH hypophysaire et plasmatique d'autres espèces. L'emploi d'un système de dosage utilisant un anticorps     

Impact of ozonation on water quality in marine recirculation systems

Ozone (O₃) is a powerful oxidant and is becoming popular in various aquaculture systems for disinfection and improving water quality by oxidation of inorganic and/or organic compounds. However, the use of ozone in marine-based aquaculture systems has been limited because of the potential to form bromate, which is formed during the oxidation of naturally occurring bromide by ozone. Because bromate is a human carcinogen, there are concerns with its chronic impact on fish health. In addition, the use of O₃ is hindered by lack of quantitative as well as qualitative design and performance information on O₃ for recirculating systems. This study investigated the application of ozonation to control pathogens and enhance the process water quality in a recirculating aquaculture system while minimizing bromate formation. A field scale monitoring program was conducted on process water quality from Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) recirculating systems. Ozonated modules showed reduction of 15% total organic carbon (TOC) and less than 25 μg/l bromate concentration was formed. In addition, ozonated modules showed reduction in nitrate, color and suspended solids, as compared to those that did not use ozone. The results of this study elucidates the formation of bromate in marine water recirculation systems.     

我国水产养殖工程学科发展报告（2007—2008）

报告概述了我国水产养殖工程学科2007-2008年所取得的重大科技成果和研究进展.重点介绍网箱设施工程、工厂化循环水养殖工程和池塘生态化养殖工程这3个领域开展的重大研究项目进展情况和研究结果,提出了该学科发展中存在的主要问题以及今后主要研究方向.     

An experimental study on nitrification biofilm performances using a series reactor system

Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration is often a key limiting water quality parameter in intensive aquaculture systems. Removing ammonia through biological filtration is thus the first objective in recirculating aquaculture system design. In this study, the performance characteristics of a steady-state nitrification biofilm were explored using a series of reactors. Four nitrification kinetics parameters were estimated using the data collected from the experimental system, including minimum TAN concentration, half saturation constant, maximum TAN removal rate and maximum specific bacterial growth rate. Experimental data showed that a minimum TAN concentration was needed to support a steady-state nitrification biofilm. For the temperature of 27.2°C, the mean minimum TAN concentration was 0.07 mg/l. For a single substrate-limiting factor, the relationship between TAN removal rate (R) and TAN concentration (S) was represented by an empirical equation [R=1859(S−0.07)/(S+1.93)]. The characteristics of nitrite oxidation were also demonstrated by the experiment system. The results of this study will help to better understand the characteristics of nitrification biofilters applied in recirculating aquaculture systems.     

Settling velocity and particle size bioengineering parameters gathered from solids generated by wild-caught premature punctuated snake-eels (Ophichthus remiger) reared in a marine prototype recirculating aquaculture system

This research reveals the applied engineering basis for determining the particle size and settling velocity distributions of solids generated while rearing wild-caught premature punctuated snake-eels (Ophichthus remiger) in a prototype recirculating aquacultural system. Settled solids were sampled from the bottom of the rearing tanks, and suspended solids were sampled before filtration within the drum filter and analyzed to characterize their settling velocity and particle size properties. These particle properties are considered bioengineering parameters since they will provide biological information to improve engineering solutions for RAS solids removal processes. The average settling velocity for the settleable solids in the rearing tanks was 2.89 ± 0.02 cm s⁻¹, and the average particle size ranged between 7.32 ± 3.41 and 19.44 ± 8.58 mm. Suspended solids within the drum filters before filtration had an average settling velocity of 0.35 ± 0.11 cm s⁻¹ and it was found that 69.93 % of the particles size was greater than 200 μm, 15.40 % were within the range of 120 μm and 90 μm sizes, and 6.53 % were between 70 μm and 40 μm sizes. The particle physical properties, settling curves, and particle sizes curves obtained from this experience represent valuable information to be used to improve engineering design of solids handling mechanisms, especially in marine land-based systems, and in this case, applied for rearing wild-caught punctuated snake-eels. The present investigation constitutes an advance in the knowledge of applied engineering to the design of a marine aquaculture fattening operation targeted to feed up wild-caught premature punctuated snake-eels to the point of sale or trade.     

Gillnet selectivity of small coastal sharks off the southeastern United States

Gillnet selectivity parameters for the Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus, finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon, and bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo, sharks were estimated from fishery-independent catches in multi-panel gillnets with stretched mesh sizes ranging from 8.9 to 14.0 cm in steps of 1.3 cm, with an additional size of 20.3 cm. Mesh selectivities were estimated using a maximum-likelihood model, which fits a gamma distribution to length data for each mesh size using the log-likelihood function. The Atlantic sharpnose and finetooth shark exhibited the broadest selection curves. Peak selectivities for the Atlantic sharpnose were reached from 750 mm FL for the 8.9 cm mesh to 1150 mm FL for the 14.0 cm mesh in 50 mm FL increments per mesh. Peak selectivity for the finetooth shark was reached at 550 mm FL for the 8.9 and 10.2 cm meshes, increased to 650 mm FL for the 11.4 mesh, and 750 mm FL for the 12.7 and 14.0 cm meshes. Selectivity was highest at 1150 mm FL for the 20.3 cm mesh. The bonnethead and blacknose shark exhibited narrower selection curves, with peak selectivity occurring at 450 mm FL for the 8.9 cm mesh, 750 mm for the 12.7 cm mesh in 100 mm FL increments per mesh. Maximum selectivity for the 20.3 cm mesh was 950 and 1050 mm FL for bonnethead and blacknose shark, respectively. The θ₁ values for blacknose and finetooth shark were most similar (140.58 and 141.25), whereas the value calculated for Atlantic sharpnose was the highest (211.95) and that for the bonnethead (131.77) was the lowest. Values calculated for θ₂, a parameter that describes the variance of sizes by mesh, ranged from 27,259 for the bonnethead to 189,873 for the finetooth shark. Although gillnets used in this study were not directly constructed for use in estimation of gillnet selectivities, information on mesh selectivities estimated herein has direct applicability to commercial gillnets with meshes of similar sizes.     

Analysis of sediment transport modeling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for aquaculture raceways

A simulation model to analyze the water flow and sediment transport in aquaculture raceways was developed using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package. The simulation was used to evaluate the efficiency of solids settling in the quiescent zone of existing trout raceways. This efficiency was based on the percentage of solids removed, which corresponds to the percentage of solids introduced into the raceway that settle in it, with settling taking place primarily in the quiescent zone.

The raceway selected for model validation was a rectangular concrete raceway 30.0 m long, 3.0 m wide, 0.9 m deep, with a slope of 0.01. The raceway included a quiescent zone of approximately 5.3 m in length, which was separated from the rearing area by a screen. The water flow rate through the raceway was approximately 0.058 m³/s. Velocity measurements were recorded at 230 stations along the raceway using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter, for comparison with the results obtained from the simulations.

For the purpose of simulating sediment transport, six groups of particles were used to account for the total suspended solids. The sizes of the particles selected were based on an experimentally determined distribution for solids from a similar raceway, and were 692, 532, 350, 204, 61, and 35 μm for Groups 1–6, respectively. The particle density for each size was assumed to be 1150 kg/m³. Values of the percentage of solids removed for the different particle sizes were 100.0% for the largest particles, and 54.7, 0.9, and 0.1% for the three smallest particles, respectively. This methodology of analyzing the raceway sediment transport in terms of its percentage of solids removed based on CFD simulations can also be used to examine raceway design alternatives for improving the particle removal efficiency.     

循环水养殖系统中的固体悬浮物去除技术

循环水养殖系统(Recirculating aquaculture systems,RAS)中固体悬浮物(Suspended solids,SS)的去除效果直接影响到鱼类生长、生物净化效果、系统配置和运行成本等诸多重要因子。根据固体悬浮物产生、物理特性和分布规律,结合颗粒悬浮物去除工艺特点,对去除技术进行系统研究分析。固体悬浮物源自饲料,密度一般为1.05~1.19 g/cm3,运用重力分离、过滤和泡沫分离等工艺通过预处理、粗过滤和精处理三道工艺步骤,可分别去除不同直径的颗粒物质,在达到合理含量的前提下,获得低能耗、低成本和系统稳定运行的综合效果。固体悬浮物的去除符合目标明确、排出及时和区别对待三原则,去除工艺注重相关技术的优化集成。     

Diet of demersal fish species in relation to aquaculture development in Scottish sea lochs

The diets of demersal fish, principally haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and several flatfish species, sampled from four Scottish sea lochs (Hourn, Kishorn, Duich and Nevis) which support aquaculture sites, were examined in order to determine whether the impact of aquaculture on benthic biodiversity would affect the diets of demersal fish. Loch Kishorn had the highest maximum planned aquaculture production, loch Nevis follows and lochs Hourn and Duich have the lowest planned production. Samples were collected from locations less than and more than 2000 m from fish farm cages. Fish close to the fish farm cages were on average of greater individual weight than those further away from fish farms. Haddock ate predominantly Malacostracan crustacea, Ophiurid echinoderms and Polychaete annelids; whiting ate predominantly Malacostracan crustacea and teleost fish and flatfish ate Malacostracan crustacea, Polychaete annelids and Ophiurid echinoderms. A small number of saithe sampled had eaten mainly fish farm pellets. Dietary variation in each species was analysed in relation to loch, proximity to aquaculture facilities and fish size. Diet of whiting varied with body size. Dietary differences were observed between the lochs and between sites close to and far from farms in two lochs although these differences cannot be specifically attributed to aquaculture development. Controlling for differences between individual lochs, proximity to aquaculture facilities did not consistently affect diet composition.     

Sludge Production and Management for Recirculating Aquacultural Systems

Waste discharge from recirculating aquacultural systems is typically in the form of sludge composed of partially stabilized excreta, uneaten food particles, and bacterial growth. The amount of solids produced can be estimated using an equation presented in this paper. In a typical recirculating system, total suspended solids (TSS) is the major pollutant of the sludge produced. The production of TSS ranges from 10 to 30% of the feeding rate on a dry weight basis. The ratio of 5-d biochemical oxygen demand to total suspended solids (BOD_S/TSS) of the sludge ranges from 0.10 to 0.2, the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) content of the TSS ranges from 4 to 6%, and total phosphorus ranges from 0.2 to 2%.
The nature of the waste and the economics of the treatment processes dictate the disposal of aquacultural sludge. Effective clarification of aquacultural waste is critical in reducing sludge volume. Using lagoons for stabilization and storage is the most practical option. While direct disposal by land application seems feasible for rural areas with dry climates, additional stabilization/storage in a lagoon with eventual disposal through land application seems most feasible for a variety of conditions. The effluent produced from the sludge treatment processes can be used for irrigation or for direct discharge after further polishing (treatment).     

Body dimensions of farmed eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) in relation to condition factor, grading, sex and feeding

Various body dimensions were measured in relation to weight in warm-water cultured European eels (0·2–120 g) at 16 and 25°C in seawater and at 25°C in freshwater to provide reference standards for use in aquacultural engineering management and research. The different conditions had no significant effects on relationships between weight and body, head or tail length, or trunk, head or pectoral dimensions. There were also no significant differences between small and large eels and no obvious variations were found that could be used to distinguish the sexes. However, the eyes tend to enlarge and the mouth decrease in size relative to weight in larger eels. Possible relationships between morphology and feeding are discussed.

The combined data yielded the relationship, log L(cm) = 1·0306 + 0·27 log W(g) for eels from elver stage up to about 120 g. A condition factor, CF = L/10 W^0·2711, is derived and its usefulness in aquaculture and research discussed. Morphometric and growth differences between cultured and wild eels are discussed.

Body girth dimensions are considered and recommendations made for mesh apertures and bar spacings for basket and grid size-graders.     

小丑鱼室内循环水养殖设施与技术

为了实现规模化人工养殖小丑鱼(Amphiprioninae),研发了小丑鱼室内循环水养殖设施和技术。1组循环水养殖系统由10个玻璃钢养殖桶和1个水处理玻璃缸及管道系统组成,采用物理过滤、生化过滤、藻板过滤进行循环水处理。1组循环水养殖系统每3个月可养殖产出全长约3.5 cm的商品小丑鱼5 000尾,养殖存活率达80%以上。从2014年至2015年,利用该设施养殖生产出商品小丑鱼10余万尾。和常规的食用海水鱼循环水养殖设施相比,小丑鱼室内循环水养殖系统主要减少了蛋白分离器、气浮机、微滤机等设备,增加了藻板过滤设施。研究表明,小丑鱼室内循环水养殖系统建造成本低、运行能耗低、管理维护简单、水质稳定,可基本实现全封闭循环水养殖,适合进行小丑鱼等海水珊瑚礁观赏鱼类的规模化养殖生产。     

Particulate matter dynamics and transformations in a recirculating aquaculture system: application of stable isotope tracers in seabass rearing

The control of adverse effects and the possibility of removing suspended solids from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are the principal challenges facing aquaculture engineers. However, their dynamics and transformations are not yet well known. In this study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes values (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were used as tracers of particulate matter in a seabass RAS. An isotopic mixing model was employed to estimate the contributions of particulate sources. Feed (−22.1‰ for δ¹³C and 11.9‰ for δ¹⁵N), feces (−24.0‰ for δ¹³C and 6.4‰ for δ¹⁵N) and biofilm (−25.1‰ for δ¹³C and 12.9‰ for δ¹⁵N) were identified as main sources of particulate matter. The particle traps collected a mixing of 29% of uneaten feed and 71% of feces, when drum filter eliminated all remaining uneaten feed, shifting the isotopic signatures of suspended solids from −23.8 and 7.9‰ to −24.9 and 8.3‰ for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, respectively. The fish muscle (−18.6‰ for δ¹³C and 15.4‰ for δ¹⁵N) could reflect the isotopic variability of feed ingredients accumulated over time. The isotopic shifts indicate that the contribution of three sources depends on: (1) fish metabolism; (2) water treatment devices; and (3) bacterial bio-fouling into biofilter.     

Micro particles and microbial activity in Danish recirculating rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms

Increasing intensities of water reuse in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) lead to a build-up of micro particles (< 20 μm) in the water. This build-up may have consequences for other water quality parameters and for the fish. This baseline study was carried out to determine the variation in micro particle levels (numbers, volume and surface area) and accompanying bacterial activity in commercially operated outdoor RAS, as well as the effects of different components in the recirculation loop on micro particle dynamics. Water samples were obtained during spring 2017 from 7 Danish Model Trout Farms (MTFs) producing rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in a total of 20 separate RAS units. Micro particle numbers and size distribution, bacterial activity, and inorganic and organic nutrient concentrations were analysed. Micro particle numbers ranged between 6.0·10⁴ – 7.4·10⁵ ml⁻¹ and large variations were found between seemingly similarly operated RAS units within the same farm. There was a strong, positive correlation (p < 0.001) between micro particle levels and bacterial activity in the systems. Although not significant, biofilters generally seemed to trap particles whereas drum filters seemed to reduce particle volume while increasing particle numbers and surface area. The study sustains that bacterial activity in RAS is strongly associated with fine particle loading, and demonstrates for the first time the overall magnitude and level of variation in particle levels and bacterial activity that exists in commercially operated MTFs.     

Bubble size distribution in a bubble column applied to aquaculture systems

Bubble size distribution affects the gas-liquid mass transfer rates during aeration and foam fractionation processes employed in recirculating aquacultural systems. The effects of air flow rate, protein concentration and air stone pore size on bubble characterization were investigated. Bubble size was measured photographically in conjunction with image-processing techniques. The study indicated that bubble size increased with air flow rate and air stone pore size, but decreased with protein concentration. Within the tested range of these variables, the geometric diameters of the majority of the bubbles (90%) were within the range of 0·5–3·0 mm, and the bubble sizes followed a normal distribution.     

Waste excretion characteristics of Manila clams (Tapes philippinarum) under different temperature conditions

Water recirculating systems have been used in the shellfish industry for depuration and wet-storage. Knowledge of shellfish excretion characteristics is critical to recirculating system design. In this study, the excretion rate of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) from Manila clams (Tapes philippinarum) were investigated under both laboratory and commercial conditions. The laboratory tests were conducted under temperatures ranging from 3 to 30°C. The experimental results showed that temperature was a key factor in determining the excretion rate of all the above parameters. The relationship between TAN excretion rate (R_TAN) and temperature (T) can be represented by an exponential function (R_TAN=0.57×1.25^T). For the temperature range between 3 and 20°C, the daily mean excretion rates of TAN, TKN and BOD₅ ranged between 1.5–46.1, 4.8–131.0 and 57.4–219.4 mg per kilogram of the clams (wet weight with shell on), respectively. There were linear correlations between TAN, TKN and BOD₅ production rates. The data presented in this paper can be used to estimate waste generation from a given shellfish processing operation and to size the waste treatment components for a recirculating depuration (or wet-storage) system.     

Production of market-size European strain Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in land-based freshwater closed containment aquaculture systems

Interest in land-based farms using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for market-size Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) continues to grow, and several commercial facilities are already rearing fish. Performance data for commercially available mixed-sex, all-female, and triploid all-female Atlantic salmon reared to market-size in freshwater land-based facilities, however, are limited, particularly for European strain fish. Accordingly, eight groups of European-sourced Atlantic salmon (five groups of diploid mixed-sex, two groups of diploid all-female, and one group of triploid all-female fish) were reared from eyed egg to market-size in a semi-commercial scale land-based aquaculture systems over five separate production cycles to quantify performance metrics. Fish reached market-size (4−5 kg) in 24.7–26.3 months post-hatch. Fish were reared at a mean water temperature of 12.3–13.7 °C from first feeding to a mean size of 466–1265 g, then 13.3–15.1 °C during growout. On average, all-female groups grew faster than mixed-sex groups; however, environmental conditions and performance of individual cohorts varied. In a comingled production cycle, diploid all-female salmon grew faster than triploid counterparts. Early maturation rates ranged from 0 % to 67 %, with a mean maturation rate of 34 % for diploid mixed-sex fish and 67 % and 13 % for two diploid all-female groups, respectively. Triploid all-female Atlantic salmon did not mature. This research confirms biological and technological feasibility of growing Atlantic salmon to market-size in land-based systems but controlling early maturation of diploid salmon remained a challenge under the conditions utilized in these trials. This research provides important data inputs to optimize operational and financial projections for existing and potential land-based Atlantic salmon farms.     

Cyclical fluctuations in ammonia and nitrite-nitrogen resulting from the feeding of turbot, scophthalmus maximus (L.), in recirculating systems

Daily and weekly cyclical fluctuations in ammonia (NH₄---N μg litre⁻¹) and nitrite---nitrogen (NO₂---N μg litre⁻¹) were shown to occur in marine recirculating systems containing juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.). A stepwise multivariant regression analysis, computed for the prefeeding morning base levels, showed that ammonia---nitrogen concentration in the fish tanks was related to inflow ammonia---nitrogen concentration, water flow rate, water temperature, mean fish weight and fish biomass. Influent ammonia concentration and water flow rate were by far the most important variables accounting for 68·0% and 16·7% of the variation in the regression respectively.

The fluctuations, which occurred at concentrations thought to be tolerated by the fish, were attributed to the amount and timing of feeding. The significance of the existence of such fluctuations was discussed together with the importance of their amplitude and frequency.