Abstract
Determining the optimum levels of macroalgal density and salinity for removing aquaculture effluent has gained increasing research interest in recent years because of the growing concerns over environmental sustainability. Here, we determined the effects of macroalgal density and salinity on the uptake of NO2−, NO3−, NH3, and PO43− by Caulerpa lentillifera from the effluent of Poecilia latipinna using spectrophotometry. Laboratory experiments were conducted to measure nutrient uptake at five different macroalgal density levels (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g/L) and three salinity levels (20, 30, and 40 ppt) with and without aeration. Quadratic regression analysis revealed significant nonlinear and linear effects of macroalgal density on the uptake of NO2−, NO3−, NH3, and PO43−, where the maximum uptake was predicted to occur at the macroalgal densities of 31.6, 33.3, 50.0, and 20.0 g/L, respectively. Likewise, the effects of salinity on the uptake of NO2−, NO3−, NH3, and PO43− were significant and nonlinear where the maximum uptake was predicted to occur at the salinity levels of 29.1, 30.7, 29.5, and 29.5 ppt, respectively. The result of the effects of aeration was mixed but somewhat indicated a positive effect on the nutrient uptake within the 24 h period. Our results could help aquaculturists to minimize the excessive nutrients by C. lentillifera from aquaculture effluent while achieving long-term sustainable aquaculture production.
Highlights
Aquaculture effluent contains high quantities of dissolved inorganic nutrients such as nitrites (NO2 − ), nitrates (NO3 − ), ammonia (NH3 ), and phosphates (PO4 3− ) [1,2]
The objective of this study was to determine the optimum levels for macroalgal density and salinity levels for nutrient removal by C. lentillifera from aquaculture effluent from Poecilia latipinna
Increasing trends in removal of NO2 − and NO3 − were observed from 10 g/L to 30 g/L of macroalgal density
Summary
Aquaculture effluent contains high quantities of dissolved inorganic nutrients such as nitrites (NO2 − ), nitrates (NO3 − ), ammonia (NH3 ), and phosphates (PO4 3− ) [1,2]. The discharge of untreated aquaculture effluent creates serious environmental problems because this effluent contains high level of nutrients [3,4]. Reducing the concentrations of nutrients in aquaculture effluent is needed before discharge to the nearby water [8]. Processes 2019, 7, 303 facility as well as the legality of aquaculture practices and their long-term sustainability [9,10]. This is because aquaculture farmers or facilities are required to strictly follow water quality standards and effluent management procedures in order to reduce the pollutant concentrations including NO2 − , NO3 − , NH3 , and PO4 3−. The aquaculture licenses can be cancelled if any violation of these standards is reported [9,10]
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