Abstract
Biofilm nitrification characteristics in sea-water recirculation systems were measured and compared to those in fresh-water systems. As in fresh-water systems, biofilm kinetics could be described accurately by the 1 2 - order/0-order kinetic model. However, sea-water systems need a much longer start-up period in which nitrite accumulates. Thereby, the maximum nitrification capacity is considerably lower than in fresh-water systems; at 24°C a maximum 0-order ammonia removal rate of 0.28 g m −2 d −1 NH 4-N is observed, versus 0.69 g m −2 d −1 NH 4-N in comparable fresh-water systems. Adaptation of a fresh-water biofilter to higher salinities was found to be possible, providing an effective tool for a shorter start-up period of a sea-water system. Nitrification rates were obtained which allow a rational design of intensive recirculating sea-water fish culture systems.
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