Kentucky State University
Determination of Safe Concentrations of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) for Algal and pH Control in Freshwater Prawn Ponds
Institution
Kentucky State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
James Tidwell; Shawn Coyle; Leigh Anne Bright
Abstract
In pond production of the freshwater prawn, high concentrations of algae can cause the pH to rise to lethal levels (>10) for freshwater prawn. Algaecides have been used to manage the algae in ponds for other species. However, most commercially available algaecides are copper based; which is highly toxic to prawns. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) does not contain copper and has been demonstrated as useful for the management of algae and submersed aquatic weeds. The objective of the current research was to determine safe levels of hydrogen peroxide for the use with freshwater prawn; separate trials were conducted to evaluate and narrow the range of concentrations. In each experiment, five juvenile freshwater prawn (average weight = 0.01g for post-larvae and approximately 0.5g for nursed juveniles) were stocked into each of 24 aquaria each containing 8 L of water from a common source. The appropriate amount Green Clean Pro™, a granular algaecide with H2O2 as its active ingredient, was added to the aquaria to achieve the desired concentrations. The numbers of live and dead shrimp were determined for each aquarium every 24 hours and each experiment was conducted over 96 hours. Based on these experiments, the maximum safe concentration of hydrogen peroxide for freshwater prawn post-larvae is approximately 5 mg/L. Older, nursed juveniles appear to be able to tolerate concentrations as high as 10 mg/L. These data suggest that concentrations greater than 10 mg/L hydrogen peroxide should not be used as a pond treatment in freshwater prawn ponds.
Determination of Safe Concentrations of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) for Algal and pH Control in Freshwater Prawn Ponds
In pond production of the freshwater prawn, high concentrations of algae can cause the pH to rise to lethal levels (>10) for freshwater prawn. Algaecides have been used to manage the algae in ponds for other species. However, most commercially available algaecides are copper based; which is highly toxic to prawns. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) does not contain copper and has been demonstrated as useful for the management of algae and submersed aquatic weeds. The objective of the current research was to determine safe levels of hydrogen peroxide for the use with freshwater prawn; separate trials were conducted to evaluate and narrow the range of concentrations. In each experiment, five juvenile freshwater prawn (average weight = 0.01g for post-larvae and approximately 0.5g for nursed juveniles) were stocked into each of 24 aquaria each containing 8 L of water from a common source. The appropriate amount Green Clean Pro™, a granular algaecide with H2O2 as its active ingredient, was added to the aquaria to achieve the desired concentrations. The numbers of live and dead shrimp were determined for each aquarium every 24 hours and each experiment was conducted over 96 hours. Based on these experiments, the maximum safe concentration of hydrogen peroxide for freshwater prawn post-larvae is approximately 5 mg/L. Older, nursed juveniles appear to be able to tolerate concentrations as high as 10 mg/L. These data suggest that concentrations greater than 10 mg/L hydrogen peroxide should not be used as a pond treatment in freshwater prawn ponds.