Kentucky State University
COMPARING AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC MINERALIZATION OF SLUDGE FROM CLEAR-WATER AND HYBRID BRACKISH-WATER RAS
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
AFE
Institution 24-25
Kentucky State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Jill Fisk; Dr. Andrew Ray.
Department
Aquaculture Research Center
Abstract
Water reuse is a crucial aspect of inland, brackish-water recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). One method to reduce water discharge is by mineralizing thickened waste. Clear-water systems have robust filtration, while hybrid systems have less filtration. Mineralization, or the decomposition of solids, can release nutrients and minerals beneficial for aquaponics plants.
This study compared aerobic and anaerobic mineralization of marine shrimp sludge from two system types (clear-water and hybrid). The goal was to determine changes over the course of four weeks, water samples were analyzed for various nutrients and minerals. The study found that anaerobic treatments generally had higher alkalinity, ammonia, and phosphate levels, while lower nitrate levels. This suggests denitrification was occurring in anaerobic conditions. While plants prefer nitrate, they can assimilate both nitrate and ammonia.
Phosphate levels increased gradually in aerobic clear-water treatments and rapidly in anaerobic treatments. Aerobic systems showed increased dissolved calcium and decreased manganese and iron. All treatments experienced decreases in sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and strontium, and increases in sulfur, lithium, nickel, silicon, phosphorus, and bromine.
The study concluded that system type might not significantly impact waste mineralization. However, the mineralization environment (aerobic or anaerobic) and time can influence the types of compounds released. This information can help producers select the best mineralization method for their specific aquaponics plants.
COMPARING AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC MINERALIZATION OF SLUDGE FROM CLEAR-WATER AND HYBRID BRACKISH-WATER RAS
Water reuse is a crucial aspect of inland, brackish-water recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). One method to reduce water discharge is by mineralizing thickened waste. Clear-water systems have robust filtration, while hybrid systems have less filtration. Mineralization, or the decomposition of solids, can release nutrients and minerals beneficial for aquaponics plants.
This study compared aerobic and anaerobic mineralization of marine shrimp sludge from two system types (clear-water and hybrid). The goal was to determine changes over the course of four weeks, water samples were analyzed for various nutrients and minerals. The study found that anaerobic treatments generally had higher alkalinity, ammonia, and phosphate levels, while lower nitrate levels. This suggests denitrification was occurring in anaerobic conditions. While plants prefer nitrate, they can assimilate both nitrate and ammonia.
Phosphate levels increased gradually in aerobic clear-water treatments and rapidly in anaerobic treatments. Aerobic systems showed increased dissolved calcium and decreased manganese and iron. All treatments experienced decreases in sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and strontium, and increases in sulfur, lithium, nickel, silicon, phosphorus, and bromine.
The study concluded that system type might not significantly impact waste mineralization. However, the mineralization environment (aerobic or anaerobic) and time can influence the types of compounds released. This information can help producers select the best mineralization method for their specific aquaponics plants.