不同浓度臭氧对循环水养殖系统生物膜活性及其净化效能的影响

本文通过在循环水养殖系统中添加不同浓度的臭氧,研究其对循环水养殖系统生物膜活性及其净化效能的影响.结果显示,当氧化还原电位(ORP)小于450 mV时,氨氮的去除率随着臭氧浓度升高而升高,最高去除率达39.9％,亚硝酸盐氮的平均去除率为28.2％,生物膜菌群的平均存活率为88.1％,生物膜对养殖水体氨氮和亚硝酸盐氮的处理效果良好;当氧化还原电位为500 mV时,经过臭氧24 h处理,氨氮和亚硝酸盐氮的去除率分别由36.5％、28.1％降到12.2％、8.4％,而臭氧4h处理后,生物膜对氨氮和亚硝酸盐氮的去除率分别由47.5％、32.1％降到5.0％、3.3％,水处理效果明显下降,生物膜菌群存活率由88.1％降到31.5％.由此可见臭氧添加浓度对生物膜及净化效能有重大影响.综合试验结果和分析评估,建议封闭循环水养殖系统的臭氧添加量以控制生物滤池内的氧化还原电位低于400 mV为宜,可保证循环水系统的安全性和经济性.     

Assessment of the use of precipitating agents and ceramic membranes for treatment of effluents with high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus from recirculating aquaculture systems

Following the culturing of post‐juvenile African catfish, wastewaters were purified using single and integrated processes. Iron coagulant (IC), aluminium coagulant (AC), lanthanum modified bentonite (LMB) and ceramic membranes (NF – nanofiltration) were each tested in single processes, while the combination of IC + NF and AC + NF were used in the integrated process tests. Among the single processes, membrane filtration was the most effective in purifying the aquaculture effluent. The total suspended solids (TSS) were removed entirely and there was a near‐complete removal of turbidity (99.2%), as well as effective removal of Al and Fe (80.8% and 67.4% respectively). Precipitating agents overall removed TSS most faithfully, from 37.5% removal with AC, through 50.2% with IC, to 62.3% with LMB. Using integrated processes, the highest removal efficacy was recorded for TSS (100%) and turbidity (99.7% – IC + NF; 99.9% – AC + NF). Additionally, integrated processes attained a 96.8%–98.4% removal of NO₂^‐‐N. This study confirms the possibility of using IC, AC and LMB in chemical purification of effluents from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). However, due to their low removal efficacy for nitrogen and phosphorus, it is preferable to use NF or integrated processes – membrane filtration combined with chemical precipitation, methods which proved to be most effective for water purification in RAS.     

Controlling of geosmin and 2‐methylisoborneol induced off‐flavours in recirculating aquaculture system farmed fish—A review

Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is an increasingly popular alternative to open aquaculture production systems. However, off‐flavours and odours can accumulate in the fish flesh from the circulating water and decrease the fish meat quality. Off‐flavours are typically caused by geosmin (GSM) and 2‐methylisoborneol (MIB) that are lipophilic compounds formed as secondary by‐products of bacterial metabolism. Even though GSM and MIB are not toxic, they often are disliked by consumers, and both have very low human sensory detection limits. Multiple methods have been suggested to remove or decrease GSM and MIB in fish, including ozonation, advanced oxidation processes (AOP)s and adsorption removal from water using activated carbon and/or zeolites. So far, purging with fresh water is the only efficient method available to remove the off‐flavours. There are multiple analytical methods available for the extraction and separation of GSM and MIB from fish flesh and water. This review discusses the current knowledge of GSM and MIB formation, the challenges faced by RAS farms due to these compounds and process solutions available for their removal.     

Evaluation of a Low‐head Recirculating Aquaculture System Used for Rearing Florida Pompano to Market Size

A low‐head recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for the production of Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, from juvenile to market size was evaluated. The 32.4‐m³ RAS consisted of three dual‐drain, 3‐m diameter culture tanks of 7.8‐m³ volume each, two 0.71‐m³ moving bed bioreactors filled with media (67% fill with K1 Kaldness media) for biofiltration, two degassing towers for CO₂ removal and aeration, a drum filter with a 40‐µm screen for solids removal, and a 1‐hp low‐head propeller pump for water circulation. Supplemental oxygenation was provided in each tank by ultrafine ceramic diffusers and system salinity was maintained at 7.0 g/L. Juvenile pompano (0.043 kg mean weight) were stocked into each of the three tanks at an initial density of 1.7 kg/m³ (300 fish/tank). After 306 d of culture, the mean weight of the fish harvested from each tank ranged from 0.589 to 0.655 kg with survival ranging from 57.7 to 81.7%. During the culture period, the average water use per kilogram of fish was 3.26 or 1.82 m³ per fish harvested. Energy consumption per kilogram of fish was 47.2 or 22.4 kwh per fish harvested. The mean volumetric total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) removal rate of the bioreactors was 127.6 ± 58.3 g TAN removed/m³ media‐d with an average of 33.0% removal per pass. Results of this evaluation suggest that system modifications are warranted to enhance production to commercial levels (>60 kg/m³).     

Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production and stable isotope dynamics in clear‐water recirculating aquaculture systems versus biofloc systems

Closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) offer advantages over traditional culture methods including enhanced biosecurity, the possibility of indoor, inland culture of marine species year‐round and potential marketing opportunities for fresh, never‐frozen seafood. Questions still remain regarding what type of aquaculture system may be best suited for the closed‐system culture of marine shrimp. In this study, shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) were grown in clear‐water RAS and in biofloc‐based systems. Comparisons were made between the system types with respect to water quality, shrimp production and stable isotope dynamics used to determine the biofloc contribution to shrimp nutrition. Ammonia and nitrite concentrations were higher, and shrimp survival was lower in the biofloc systems. Although stable isotope levels indicated that biofloc material may have contributed 28% of the carbon and 59% of the nitrogen in shrimp tissues, this did not correspond with improved shrimp production. Overall, the water column microbial communities in biofloc systems may be more difficult to manage than clear‐water RAS which have external filters to control water quality. Biofloc does seem to offer some nutritional contributions, but exactly how to take advantage of that and ensure improved production remains unclear.     

Degradation and effect of hydrogen peroxide in small‐scale recirculation aquaculture system biofilters

From an environmental point of view, hydrogen peroxide (HP) has beneficial attributes compared with other disinfectants in terms of its ready degradation and neutral by‐products. The rapid degradation of HP can, however, cause difficulties with regard to safe and efficient water treatment when applied in different systems. In this study, we investigated the degradation kinetics of HP in biofilters from water recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The potential effect of HP on the nitrification process in the biofilters was also examined. Biofilter elements from two different pilot‐scale RAS were exposed to various HP treatments in batch experiments, and the HP concentration was found to follow an exponential decay. The biofilter ammonia and nitrite oxidation processes showed quick recuperation after exposure to a single dose of HP up to 30 mg L^?1. An average HP concentration of 10–13 mg L^?1 maintained over 3 h had a moderate inhibitory effect on the biofilter elements from one of the RAS with relatively high organic loading, while the nitrification was severely inhibited in the pilot‐scale biofilters from the other RAS with a relatively low organic loading. A pilot‐scale RAS, equipped with two biofilter units, both a moving‐bed (Biomedia) and a fixed‐bed (BIO‐BLOK^®) biofilter, was subjected to an average HP concentration of ～12 mg L^?1 for 3 h. The ammonium‐ and nitrite‐degrading efficiencies of both the Biomedia and the BIO‐BLOK^® filters were drastically reduced. The filters had not reverted to pre‐HP exposure efficiency after 24 h, suggesting a possible long‐term impact on the biofilters.     

Use of fluidized bed biofilter and immobilized Rhodopseudomonas palustris for ammonia removal and fish health maintenance in a recirculation aquaculture system

Intensive recirculating aquaculture relies on biofilters to sustain satisfactory water quality in the system. Fluidized bed and immobilized cell technologies were used to remove ammonia from the water and maintain fish health. A high‐rate nitrifying fluidized bed biofilter combined with valveless filter was designed for use in a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS). The suspended solids produced during fish culture could automatically be removed using a valveless filter. Natural porosity with fitting proportion, steady fluidization and expanding rate was chosen as the fluidized carrier. The technology of bacterial separation and cultivation was used. The immobilized Rhodopseudomonas palustris (R. palustris) produced through a biotechnologically embedding medium is suitable for fish and could help prevent diseases. Nitrification was promoted through the selective rearing of nitrobacteria in a fluidized bed biofilter. Water quality was improved using fluidized bed biofilter and immobilized R. palustris in the RAS. In addition, the proposed system was able to reduce costs. Maximum fish load was 45 ± 3 kg m^?3 in the closed recirculating water fish culture system, and water use was reduced by 80–90%. The total ammonia nitrogen removal rate of the technology was 80–95%, and nitrite N removal rate was above 80%.     

Pyocyanin as a safe aquaculture drug for the control of vibriosis in shrimp recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)

Diseases are one of the most critical limiting factors in aquaculture. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are one of the most functionally viable sustainable aquaculture production systems adopted world over. In the event of any eventuality caused by bacterial pathogens, antibiotics or other antibacterial agents cannot be applied due to the vulnerability of biological filters which form an integral part of the RAS. Because of this, newer drugs are required for the effective control of diseases in RAS which would not interfere with the activity of nitrifying bacteria used in the biological filters. The antagonistic activity of pyocyanin, a bioactive compound produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, against vibrios is well established. The purpose of this study was to prove the effectiveness of pyocyanin as an aquaculture drug for application in RAS by employing a pilot-scale shrimp culture under RAS. It was noted that at the concentration of 5 mg L^?1, pyocyanin could significantly bring down the population of Vibrio spp. in RAS without affecting noticeably the other natural heterotrophic bacteria. Also, pyocyanin at this concentration did not inhibit the activity of nitrifying bacterial consortia used in the SBSBR (stringed bed suspended bioreactor) of RAS. The reared shrimp (Penaeus monodon) showed 100% survival after the application of pyocyanin, besides exhibiting normal health signs. Pyocyanin was non-toxic to the shrimp hybrid cell line (PmLyO-Sf9) at the concentration required for its application in disease management (IC₅₀?=?419.26 mg L^?1). The present study has demonstrated that pyocyanin is effective as an environment-friendly and safe aquaculture drug for the application in RAS-based shrimp culture to control Vibrio spp. without impeding nitrification established through the deployment of nitrifying bioreactors.

     

Comparing denitrification rates and carbon sources in commercial scale upflow denitrification biological filters in aquaculture

Aerobic biological filtration systems employing nitrifying bacteria to remediate excess ammonia and nitrite concentrations are common components of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). However, significant water exchange may still be necessary to reduce nitrate concentrations to acceptable levels unless denitrification systems are included in the RAS design. This study evaluated the design of a full scale denitrification reactor in a commercial culture RAS application. Four carbon sources were evaluated including methanol, acetic acid, molasses and Cerelose™, a hydrolyzed starch, to determine their applicability under commercial culture conditions and to determine if any of these carbon sources encouraged the production of two common “off-flavor” compounds, 2-methyisoborneol (MIB) or geosmin. The denitrification design consisted of a 1.89 m³ covered conical bottom polyethylene tank containing 1.0 m³ media through which water up-flowed at a rate of 10 lpm. A commercial aquaculture system housing 6 metric tonnes of Siberian sturgeon was used to generate nitrate through nitrification in a moving bed biological filter. All four carbon sources were able to effectively reduce nitrate to near zero concentrations from influent concentrations ranging from 11 to 57 mg/l NO₃–N, and the maximum daily denitrification rate was 670–680 g nitrogen removed/m³ media/day, regardless of the carbon source. Although nitrite production was not a problem once the reactors achieved a constant effluent nitrate, ammonia production was a significant problem for units fed molasses and to a less extent Cerelose™. Maximum measured ammonia concentrations in the reactor effluents for methanol, vinegar, Cerelose™ and molasses were 1.62 ± 0.10, 2.83 ± 0.17, 4.55 ± 0.45 and 5.25 ± 1.26 mg/l NH₃–N, respectively. Turbidity production was significantly increased in reactors fed molasses and to a less extent Cerelose™. Concentrations of geosmin and MIB were not significantly increased in any of the denitrification reactors, regardless of carbon source. Because of its very low cost compared to the other sources tested, molasses may be an attractive carbon source for denitrification if issues of ammonia production, turbidity and foaming can be resolved.     

Potential and limitations of ozone for the removal of ammonia, nitrite, and yellow substances in marine recirculating aquaculture systems

The high levels of water-reuse in intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) require an effective water treatment in order to maintain good water quality. In order to reveal the potential and limitations of ozonation for water quality improvement in marine RAS, we tested ozone's ability to remove nitrite, ammonia, yellow substances and total bacterial biomass in seawater, considering aspects such as efficiency, pH-dependency as well as the formation of toxic ozone-produced oxidants (OPO). Our results demonstrate that ozone can be efficiently utilized to simultaneously remove nitrite and yellow substances from process water in RAS without risking the formation of toxic OPO concentrations. Contemporaneously, an effective reduction of bacterial biomass was achieved by ozonation in combination with foam fractionation. In contrast, ammonia is not oxidized by ozone so long as nitrite and yellow substances are present in the water, as the dominant reaction of the ozone-based ammonia-oxidation in seawater requires the previous formation of OPO as intermediates. The oxidation of ammonia in seawater by ozone is basically a bromide-catalyzed reaction with nitrogen gas as end product, enabling an almost complete removal of ammonia-nitrogen from the aquaculture system. Results further show that pH has no effect on the ozone-based ammonia oxidation in seawater. Unlike in freshwater, an effective removal of ammonia even at pH-values as low as 6.5 has been shown to be feasible in seawater. However, as the predominant reaction pathway involves an initial accumulation of OPO to toxic amounts, we consider the ozone-based removal of ammonia in marine RAS as risky for animal health and economically unviable.     

Variability of the nitrifying bacteria in the biofilm and water column of a recirculating aquaculture system for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) production

The aim of this study was to evaluate variability of nitrifying bacterial community in the biofilm and in the water of a recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in a tilapia farming in order to determine if nitrification process is dependent, or not, of nitrifying bacteria abundance. Biofilm and water samples were collected periodically for 30 days and analysed with the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, used to quantify ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Ammonia presented the peak in the first week, while the nitrite's maximum was recorded in the second week. Nitrate increased steadily, indicating nitrification activity. Total bacterial abundance in biofilm increased continuously, while in water, it did not change significantly. In the biofilm, number of AOB was high at beginning, decreased after few days and increased again following augment of ammonia. Number of NOB also showed an increase in abundance in biofilm following the increment of nitrite and nitrate. In water, AOB and NOB did not show major variability. Relative abundance of nitrifying bacteria represented more than 30% of total bacteria in biofilm at beginning of the experiment. Their contribution decreased to >3% in last days. It indicates that nitrifying bacteria are biofilm colonizers, and that their activity seems to be directly related to the concentration of nitrogen compounds. However, contribution of nitrifying bacteria did not vary much along the time. We may conclude that the biofilm‐nitrifying bacteria plays major role in nitrification process in RAS and that the activity of these organisms is dependent of their abundance in response to the concentration of nitrogen compounds.     

Geosmin causes off‐flavour in arctic charr in recirculating aquaculture systems

The ‘earthy’ and ‘muddy’ off‐flavours in pond‐reared fish are due to the presence of geosmin or 2‐methylisoborneol in the flesh of the fish. Similar off‐flavours have been reported in fish raised in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS); however, little information is available regarding the cause of these off‐flavours. Our hypothesis was that earthy and muddy off‐flavour compounds, found previously in pond‐raised fish, are also responsible for off‐flavours in fish raised in RAS. In this preliminary study, we examined water, biofilms in RAS and fillets from cultured arctic charr known to have off‐flavours and requiring depuration using instrumental [solid‐phase microextraction procedure and gas chromatograph‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS)] and human sensory analyses. Geosmin was present in the samples taken from the biofilter and on the side walls of the tanks. Two‐methylisoborneol was only found in low levels in the samples. The GC‐MS results indicated the presence of geosmin in the fillets (705 ng kg^?1), but lower levels were found in the water (30.5 ng L^?1). Sensory analyses also detected an earthy flavour (i.e., geosmin presence) in the fillets, and, therefore, it appears that geosmin is the main compound responsible for the off‐flavour in RAS. Further studies are being performed to identify the microorganisms responsible for geosmin production in RAS.     

蕹菜和水鳖对泥质与沙质底养殖水体的净化效果研究

为解决淡水池塘集约化投饲养殖水体的营养物质富集问题,采用围隔试验方法,研究了蕹菜(Ipomoea aquatica)和水鳖(Hydrocharis dubia)两种植物对泥质和沙质两种底质养殖水体的净化效果。研究发现:泥质底水体的氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮和总磷(TP)自净去除率显著低于沙质底,而泥质底水体的高锰酸盐指数(CODMn)自净去除率显著高于沙质底(P<0.05);不同底质水体中,两种植物对水体氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、总氮(TN)和CODMn的去除率显著高于相应对照组(P<0.05);12.5%与25.0%的水鳖处理对营养物质的去除率基本无显著差异(P>0.05),12.5%的蕹菜与水鳖处理组仅在泥质底水体中水鳖(MSBI)对氨氮的去除率显著小于蕹菜(MKC)以及MSBI对亚硝酸盐氮的去除率显著高于MKC(P<0.05);泥质底水体中植物处理对氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、TN、TP和CODMn的最大去除率分别为60.07%、54.78%、52.68%、23.96%和47.32%,沙质底分别为72.43%、83.54%、57.20%、37.07%和40.75%;此外,试验末植物处理组水体的所测营养物质均存在一定程度的上升。沙质底水体中氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮和TP等营养物质波动较大且自净去除率高于泥质底;在泥质和沙质底水体中蕹菜和水鳖浮床均具有显著净化作用,本地种水鳖可作为生态浮床的潜力净水植物;浮床应用过程中应加强收割与收获等管理,以避免水体二次污染。     

不同氨氮和溶解氧条件下循环海水养殖系统生物滤池对氨氮、化学耗氧量及颗粒悬浮物的处理效果

为了建立优化的循环海水养殖系统,采用水质国标检测方法分析了珊瑚石生物滤池在不同氨氮和溶解氧(DO)负荷实验条件下对养殖废水中氨氮、化学耗氧量(COD)及颗粒悬浮物(SS)的处理效果。结果显示,进水氨氮浓度对出水氨氮(正相关)、COD(正相关)均有极显著的影响(P0.01),对SS处理效果影响不显著。当进水氨氮浓度为0.45~0.65 mg/L时,滤池对水体处理效果最优(氨氮平均清除率为82.1%±3.3%;COD平均清除率为7.1%±1.5%;SS平均清除率为5.8%±1.6%)。DO浓度对水体氨氮(负相关)和COD(负相关)处理效果的影响显著(P0.05),对SS处理效果影响不显著。DO浓度为5.0~7.0 mg/L时,水体处理效果最优(氨氮平均清除率为78.7%±3.5%;COD平均清除率为23.0%±5.3%;SS平均清除率为7.1%±2.0%)。因此,本实验环境下的循环海水养殖系统珊瑚石生物滤池在氨氮浓度为0.45~0.65 mg/L,DO浓度为5.0~7.0 mg/L时,对水体中的氨氮、COD、SS的综合处理效果最优。     

循环水系统结合鱼菜、紫外处理对镜鲤生长及水质的影响

为探索绿色环保的循环水养殖模式,设计循环水鱼菜共生系统(鱼菜组)、紫外灯鱼菜共生系统(鱼菜紫外灯组)及循环水养殖系统(循环水组),比较三种不同处理方式对镜鲤(Cyprinuscarpio var.specularis)、叶用莴苣(Lactuca sativa var.ramosa)生长和养殖水质的影响。结果显示,鱼菜组、鱼菜紫外灯组处理对镜鲤的生长无显著影响,但会显著影响镜鲤形态学指标,鱼菜组镜鲤肠体比显著低于循环水组。体成分方面,鱼菜组全鱼粗蛋白、粗脂肪显著高于循环水组,鱼菜组肝脏粗蛋白显著低于循环水组。鱼菜紫外灯组的细菌总数显著低于鱼菜组。水质方面,鱼菜组、鱼菜紫外灯组可显著降低系统中氨氮、硝酸盐氮及总磷总氮含量,鱼菜紫外灯组硝酸盐氮、总磷及总氮含量显著高于鱼菜组。综上所述,循环水系统耦合水培蔬菜单元可改善系统水质,改善鱼体成分,并且结合紫外灯处理可降低水体细菌总数。     

Potential applications of indirect electrochemical ammonia oxidation within the operation of freshwater and saline-water recirculating aquaculture systems

The paper addresses two potential applications for electrochemical ammonia oxidation within the operation of recirculating aquaculture systems, in which nearly complete removal of N species is required. In one described application, a physical–chemical ammonia oxidation method is suggested to entirely replace conventional biological treatment methods (i.e. nitrification/denitrification). The second described method is suggested as a final polishing step for removing ammonia from effluents of denitrification reactors supplied with intrinsic organic matter, prior to the discharge of the water. Empirical results and cost assessment are reported for the second alternative, while the first, which was recently published, is discussed with respect to improvements, operational conditions and field tests required to induce its commercial application. The polishing alternative was shown capable of efficiently removing TAN in the effluents of RAS denitrification reactors fed with intrinsic organic solids. The cost for treating denitrification reactor effluents with TAN concentration of 10 mgN/L was estimated at 6.67 cent/m³ of discharged water. Since the chloride ion concentration in seawater and in most brackish waters is high, combining the intrinsic organic carbon denitrification process with subsequent ammonia polishing by electrochemically produced active chlorine may be a competitive approach for the removal of nitrogen species from seawater and brackish water RAS.     

生物强化移动床生物膜反应器处理水产养殖循环水初步研究

利用自制的硝化细菌菌剂促进移动床生物膜反应器(Moving bed biofilm reactor,MBBR)的挂膜启动,分析不同载体氨氮负荷、碳氮比条件下反应器运行状况,并进一步进行了实验室模拟循环水养殖草金鱼实验。结果显示,利用自制硝化菌剂能够完成整个移动床反应器的启动过程,在接种15 d后使循环出水氨氮稳定在1 mg/L以下。单位体积载体氨氮负荷实验表明,MBBR能够在100 mg TAN/(L填料·d)条件下,使出水满足一般水产养殖水质要求(氨氮0.5 mg/L,亚硝氮0.1 mg/L)。进水碳氮比在1以内时MBBR能够稳定高效运行。在实验室模拟循环水养殖过程中,经菌剂强化的MBBR能维持循环出水氨氮低于0.5 mg/L,亚硝氮低于0.05 mg/L。     

Changes in microbial water quality in RAS following altered feed loading

Intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with its hyper-eutrophic water offer ideal conditions for bacterial growth, abundance and activity, potentially affecting fish and system performance. Feed composition and feed loading in particular will have significant impact on organic and inorganic nutrients available for microbial growth in RAS. How these nutrient inputs affect and regulate bacteria in RAS water is, however, unclear. To investigate this relationship and the associated water quality dynamics, the effects of altered feed loading on microbial water quality in RAS was studied.The study included six independent, identical pilot-scale RAS, each with a total volume of 1.7 m³ (make-up water: 80 L/day) stocked with juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). All systems had been operating with constant and identical feed loading of 3.13 kg feed/m³ make-up water for a period of three months before the experiment was initiated. Three controlled levels of feed loading where established in duplicates: no feed (0 kg feed/m³), unchanged feeding (3.13 kg feed/m³), and doubled feeding (6.25 kg feed/m³). The experimental period was seven weeks, where microbial and chemical water quality was monitored weekly. Bacterial activity was measured using Bactiquant^®, and microbial hydrogen peroxide degradation. Bacterial abundance was quantified by flow cytometry, and water quality parameters by standardized methods The study showed that water quality as well as bacterial activity and abundance were affected by the changes in feed loading. The microbial water quality parameters, however, did not respond to feed loading changes as quickly and straightforward as the physicochemical parameters such as nitrate, chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand. It was presumed that the fixed bed biofilter suppressed microbial response in the water phase. Hydrogen peroxide degradation assay proved to have considerable potential for assessing overall bacterial load in RAS water although further adjustments and standardization procedures are required.     

Bacteriological water quality of recirculating aquatic systems for maintenance of yellowtail amberjack Seriola lalandi

The bacteriological water quality associated with marine fish farming systems can be a determining factor in the development of disease, and understanding this quality is fundamental for the prevention and control of possible disease outbreaks. In the present study, the bacteriological water quality of a yellowtail amberjack Seriola lalandi broodstock maintenance system, composed of two units of a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS 1 and RAS 2), was determined. From February 2016 to January 2017, monthly samples of surface water were taken at six points in the two RAS systems: (a) from the water reception tank and (b) from filter 1 and (c) tank 1 (in RAS 1) and (d) filter 2 and (e) tank 2 (in RAS 2) and from a joint (f) discharge point. The bacteriological quality was determined by counting total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) and by molecular identification (16S rRNA gene). The number of THB showed a tendency to decrease in filters 1 and 2, to increase in tanks 1 and 2, and again increase in the discharge. The fluctuation of THB, in general, was from 1.0 × 10³ to 2.9 × 10⁵ CFU/mL. In total, 102 colonies were isolated, corresponding to nine orders and 52 species, and Vibrionales and Alteromonadales were the most abundant orders. The bacterium Vibrio harveyi, a pathogen of S. lalandi, was identified, as were other bacterial species that are known pathogens; however, no signs of disease or mortality events were recorded during the study. These results suggest that the bacterial community contributed to the maintenance of a balance in the RAS, which prevented the development of infectious diseases. Furthermore, the physicochemical parameters (temperature, oxygen, nitrogen compounds, and alkalinity) were maintained within the optimum range required by S. lalandi. Some zoonotic bacteria were found, as well as bacteria with probiotic and industrial uses. These results represent the first report on bacteriological quality in RAS for S. lalandi.     

Effect of water velocity on ammonium and nitrite removal in pilot scale fixed bed biofilters

The effect of water velocity on nitrification rates in fixed bed biofilters was investigated in three freshwater pilot scale RAS with rainbow trout. Removal of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite-nitrogen were assessed by NH₄Cl spikes and tested at four different water velocities in the biofilters (1.4, 5.4, 10.8 and 16.2 m h⁻¹) under identical conditions. Water velocities below 10.8 m h⁻¹ significantly reduced TAN- and nitrite removal rates. The surface specific TAN removal rates correlated with the TAN concentrations at the water velocities 10.8 and 16.2 m h⁻¹, and the first order surface removal rate constant was estimated at 0.45 m h⁻¹. However, no correlations between TAN removal and TAN concentrations were found at the lowest velocities. Up to five-fold elevated nitrite levels were found in the RAS when biofilters were operated at 1.4 m h⁻¹ compared to the trials at other water velocities, substantiating the significant effect of water velocity on both nitrification processes. The importance of biofilter hydraulics documented in this pilot scale RAS probably have implications for design and operation in larger scale RAS.