Shrimp Farm Effluent Research Articles

Impact of shrimp farming effluents on estuarine areas: a study in the Guaraíras Lagoon region, Rio Grande Do Norte – Brazilian Northeast

Impact of shrimp farming effluents on estuarine areas: a study in the Guaraíras Lagoon region, Rio Grande Do Norte – Brazilian Northeast

Intensive white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture integrated with green mussel (Perna viridis), seaweed (Gracilariopsis bailiniae), and tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus): impacts on water quality and growth of the shrimp

The production of Litopenaeus vannamei has significantly intensified, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) has emerged as an effective farming technique to sustain the shrimp industry. Integrated aquaculture reduces pollution while increasing aquaculture production. This production system could give both ecological and economic benefits. Its contribution to the reduced amount of nutrients from intensive shrimp farming effluents and to the improvement of water quality conditions and growth of white shrimp are significant. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts on water quality and growth performance of shrimp (L. vannamei) at the same time assess the viability of rearing shrimps integrated with either green mussel, Perna viridis (GM alone), GM+seaweed (Gracilariopsis bailiniae), GM+tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), or GM+seaweed+tilapia. Shrimps were cultured outdoors for 60 days in a recirculating system at an average water exchange rate of 6 L hr-1. Shrimps were stocked at 400 shrimp m-3 in shrimp tank while seaweed (2kg m-2), green mussels (50 individuals per meter line), and tilapia (350 grams m-3) were cultivated separately in plastic baskets inside the biofiltration tank. Shrimp effluents were recirculated from the shrimp tank to the biofiltration tank. After 60 days of culture, results showed that shrimps without integration had the lowest average body weight (ABW), survival, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), biomass gain, and high feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to shrimps with integration. This experiment confirmed that shrimp can be cultured intensively with either green mussel (GM alone), GM+ seaweed, GM+tilapia, or GM+seaweed+tilapia without adversely affecting the water quality and its growth performance and could even result in better yield than the shrimp cultured without integration. This research demonstrated the benefits of integrated aquaculture and could be further verified using large-scale culture.

The Integrating Impacts of Extreme Weather Events and Shrimp Farming Practices on Coastal Water Resource Quality in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam

Ninh Thuan is a coastal province in the central region of Vietnam and is characterized by a climate that is the hottest and driest in the country. Vietnam is also one of the top five countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change worldwide. The objective of this study was a thorough evaluation of the quality of water supply sources and the impacts of water effluents from shrimp farms in Ninh Thuan province. The comprehensive evaluation was based on an understanding of the water–wastewater cycle employed in coastal shrimp cultivation. We combined qualitative and quantitative analyses in undertaking this study. Secondary data of groundwater and coastal water from the local periodic water quality monitoring program and national technical regulations were collected in the qualitative approach. We also integrated participatory rural appraisal techniques and field observations to understanding shrimp cultivation and the environmental and social impacts of shrimp farm effluents. The quantitative assessment consisted of measuring groundwater and wastewater contamination from shrimp ponds. As a result, four main reasons for water pollution issues were determined including extreme weather events, shrimp cultivation practices, degraded infrastructure, and mismanagement by local governance. Shrimp cultivation practices (feeding, using chemicals) have resulted in elevated levels of suspended solid (TSS, total Coliform), organic and carbon matter (BOD5, COD), and excessive nutrients (total Nitrogen, NO2-N, NO3-N, PO4-P). According to a local monitoring program, the coastal water and groundwater have experienced nutrient pollution. Groundwater sampling near the shrimp farms identified salinization elevated levels of Coliform from local domestic sewage sources. This study resulted in an integrated approach that evaluated the combined effects of extreme weather events and shrimp farming practices on the quality of coastal water. Also, the finding can be useful in recommending remedial water treatment technologies as a follow-on phase.

Improving the Treatment of Saline Wastewater from Shrimp Farms Using Hybrid Constructed Wetlands Models toward Sustainable Development

This study investigated a feasible model for treating actual shrimp farm wastewater at a pilot scale that could be applied to farms in the Mekong Delta area. The research was carried out using a hybrid constructed wetlands (HCWs) model, which included a floating constructed wetland (FCW, total area of 1,500 m2) and a horizontal sub-surface constructed wetland (HSCW, total area of 400 m2). The HCWs were cultivated with native plants including: Scirpus littoralis Schrab, Cyperus alternifolius, and Paspalum vaginatum. These plants are all adapted to the high salinity levels of shrimp farm wastewater. The system was operated for 30 days to treat shrimp farm effluent. Results indicated that the model effectively removed organic matter and nitrogen compounds from the wastewater. The treated wastewater had low concentrations of COD (10.0-15.4 mg/L), BOD5 (7.1-12.5 mg/L), NH4+-N (0.04-1.11 mg/L), and TN (0.17-1.83 mg/L), which met the reliable conditions for reuse or safety requirements for discharge to aquatic systems. The findings of this study have significant implications for the sustainable management of shrimp farm wastewater in the Mekong Delta area. The HCWs model is a feasible and effective way to treat this type of wastewater, and it could be adapted to other regions facing similar challenges.

Effect of shrimp farm effluent (SFE) on growth, survival, regeneration, and biochemical composition in indigenous red seaweed Gracilaria corticata var. cylindrica

Effect of shrimp farm effluent (SFE) on growth, survival, regeneration, and biochemical composition in indigenous red seaweed Gracilaria corticata var. cylindrica

Mangrove microbial community recovery and their role in early stages of forest recolonization within shrimp ponds

Shrimp farming is blooming worldwide, posing a severe threat to mangroves and its multiple goods and ecosystem services. Several studies reported the impacts of aquaculture on mangrove biotic communities, including microbiomes. However, little is known about how mangrove soil microbiomes would change in response to mangrove forest recolonization. Using genome-resolved metagenomics, we compared the soil microbiome of mangrove forests (both with and without the direct influence of shrimp farming effluents) with active shrimp farms and mangroves under a recolonization process. We found that the structure and composition of active shrimp farms microbial communities differ from the control mangrove forests, mangroves under the impact of the shrimp farming effluents, and mangroves under recolonization. Shrimp farming ponds microbiomes have lower microbial diversity and are dominated by halophilic microorganisms, presenting high abundance of multiple antibiotic resistance genes. On the other hand, control mangrove forests, impacted mangroves (exposed to the shrimp farming effluents), and recolonization ponds were more diverse, with a higher abundance of genes related to carbon mobilization. Our data also indicated that the microbiome is recovering in the mangrove recolonization ponds, performing vital metabolic functions and functionally resembling microbiomes found in those soils of neighboring control mangrove forests. Despite highlighting the damage caused by the habitat changes in mangrove soil microbiome community and functioning, our study sheds light on these systems incredible recovery capacity. Our study shows the importance of natural mangrove forest recovery, enhancing ecosystem services by the soil microbial communities even in a very early development stage of mangrove forest, thus encouraging mangrove conservation and restoration efforts worldwide.

Enhanced growth of the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultured under integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture ( IMTA ) concept, using farm effluents of shrimp Penaeus vannamei

Most studies using Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems in shrimp aquaculture have assessed the feasibility of culturing non-native bivalve species. However, studies including native species are limited and could represent a better alternative since these organisms are adapted to local environmental conditions and do not represent a sanitary risk. Therefore, we assessed the growth performance of the native oyster Crassostrea corteziensis in IMTA system with a Mexican shrimp farm. The study included three grow-out cycles (starting in October, November and December), three stocking densities (low, medium and high), and three positions of the Nestier®-like tray (top, middle and bottom), in a drainage channel connected to a shrimp farm located in a mangrove zone. From all experimental conditions, the larger wet weight (WW) and shell length (SL) values were registered in October grow-out cycle, associated to warmer temperatures, from oysters at medium stocking density and at the top position (WW: 110.1 ± 3.6 g; SL: 91.3 ± 1.5 mm). These results suggest that grow-out cycle, stocking density and position of oysters in the Nestier®-like trays highly influence the performance of the cultured oyster. Additionally, C. corteziensis growth can be improved by using IMTA systems consisting of shrimp farm effluents.

Isolation and partial characterization of bacteriophages infecting Vibrio harveyi from shrimp farm effluent water

Isolation and partial characterization of bacteriophages infecting Vibrio harveyi from shrimp farm effluent water

Treatment of shrimp farm effluents using a combination of native plant species in the Mekong Delta region

Treatment of shrimp farm effluents using a combination of native plant species in the Mekong Delta region

Eutrophication Amplifies the Diel Variability of Carbonate Chemistry in an Equatorial, Semi-Arid, and Negative Estuary

This study presents high-resolution data on diel variations of carbonate chemistry in a semi-arid estuary (Jaguaribe River) in NE Brazil, which has witnessed decreasing annual rainfall and freshwater inputs due to climate change and river damming. In addition, the estuary has been suffering with increasing discharges from shrimp farm and urban effluents. We monitored surface water and atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2), temperature, salinity, and wind speed with continuous real-time measurements during two eulerian surveys in October 2017 (33 h) and September 2018 (44 h), during spring tides in the dry season. Additionally, pH, total alkalinity (TA), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), carbonate (CO32–), and saturation state of calcite (Ωcal) and aragonite (Ωara) were monitored hourly. Higher salinity (>38) during ebb tides confirmed the hypersalinity and negative estuarine circulation. TA and DIC concentrations in the estuary were higher than in the adjacent coastal ocean due to evaporation, showing positive correlation with salinity and negative correlation with tidal height. Measured TA and DIC concentrations were slightly higher than those calculated by the conservative evaporation model, suggesting their production in the estuary by aerobic and anaerobic processes. CO32–, Ωcal, and Ωara showed a clear semi-diurnal (tidal-driven) and diel (24 h; biological-driven) patterns: lowest values occurred at flood tide during night-time (respectively, 185 μmol kg–1, 4.3 and 2.8), whereas highest occurred during ebb tide and daytime (respectively, 251 μmol kg–1, 5.7 and 3.8). DIC/TA ratios were higher at night-time supporting a diel control (linked to solar irradiance) of the carbonate buffering capacity. pCO2 was oversaturated comparing to the atmosphere (512–860 μatm) and the estuary was a source of CO2, with fluxes ranging from 2.2 to 200.0 mmol C m–2 d–1 (51.9 ± 26.7 mmol C m–2 d–1), which are higher than emissions normally found in low-inflow, marine-dominated estuaries. The diel variability of DIC indicated a net heterotrophic metabolism averaging −5.17 ± 7.39 mmol C m–2 h–1. Eutrophication amplifies the diel variability of the CO2 system generating large differences between daytime and night-time. The results highlight the importance of considering diel variability when estimating CO2 fluxes and carbonate chemistry in eutrophic, semi-arid, and tidally dominated estuaries under rapid environmental changes, and may represent future conditions in estuaries worldwide experiencing warming, increasing aridity and eutrophication.

Is halophyte species growing in the vicinity of the shrimp ponds a promising agri-aquaculture system for shrimp ponds remediation in New Caledonia?

Plant culture integration within aquaculture activities is a topic of recent interest with economic and environmental benefits. Shrimp farming activities generate nutrient-rich waste trapped in the sediments of farming ponds or release in the mangrove area. Thus, we investigate if the halophytes species naturally growing around the pond can use nitrogen and carbon from shrimp farming for remediation purposes. Halophyte biomasses and sediments influenced by shrimp farm effluents, were collected in two farms in New-Caledonia. All samples were analyzed for their C and N stable isotopic composition and N content. Higher δ15N values were found in plants influenced by shrimp farm water thus evidenced their abilities to take nutrient derived from shrimp farming. Deep root species Chenopodium murale, Atriplex jubata, Suaeda australis and Enchylaena tomentosa appears more efficient for shrimp pond remediation. This work demonstrates that halophytes cultivation in shrimp ponds with sediments, could be effective for the pond's remediation.

Human disturbance drives loss of soil organic matter and changes its stability and sources in mangroves

Mangrove soils with high organic carbon (Corg) content are likely to contain Corg that is vulnerable to remineralization during land use changes. Mangrove conversion to different land uses might deplete soil Corg stocks causing variable carbon dioxide emissions, but the extent of these emissions and the fraction of soil Corg (i.e., labile or stable/recalcitrant) that is mostly lost is poorly understood. Here, we study mangrove soil Corg degradability and its susceptibility to mineralization after mangrove disturbance. We measured changes in soil properties, organic matter (OM) stability and Corg pools and sources across a mangrove disturbance gradient (i.e., pristine forests, degraded mangroves receiving domestic sewage and shrimp farm effluents, and shrimp ponds). Results showed that the conversion of mangroves to shrimp ponds caused the most severe changes in soil properties, OM and Corg characteristics. Shrimp pond soils contained the lowest OM-Corg pools, consisted mostly of stable OM (i.e., recalcitrant and refractory; 36.0 ± 5.7% of the total OM) and enriched δ13Corg (−22.6 ± 2.7‰). Conversely, control mangrove soils had the largest OM-Corg pools consisting of a large unstable OM fraction (i.e., labile; 46.4 ± 4.2%) and lighter δ13Corg (−26.8 ± 0.4‰) being characteristic of Corg from a mangrove origin. Conversion of mangroves to shrimp ponds and its degradation by shrimp farm and domestic sewage effluents caused a loss of 97%, 61%, and 35% of soil Corg stocks in the upper meter, representing potential emissions of ~1200, 800, and 400 Mg CO2 ha−1, respectively. These losses were explained by enhanced OM mineralization of unstable fractions driven by the loss of the physico-chemical protection provided by fine-grained soils and vegetation cover. The differences in Corg stability among sites can be used to predict potential carbon dioxide produced during mineralization, hence aid at prioritizing areas for conservation, restoration or management.

Use of Cyperus alternifolius and Eichhornia crassipes for removing heavy metal from shrimp farm effluent in wetlands

Water quality deterioration by nutrient enrichment from shrimp farming has been a concern in recent years, especially heavy metal in water resource. Phytoremediation technology using aquatic weed in wetlands increasingly applied to remediate the eutrophic waters. Objectives of this research were to evaluate the effectiveness and potential of both Cyperus alternifolius and Eichhornia crassipes in lab scale constructed wetland in reducing heavy metal as iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) using phytoremediation technologies in 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days. The results showed that the survival rates (SVR) of both aquatic plants in the experiment was the highest (100%) after 14 days of treatment. As a result of Zn, Fe, Cu concentration in control and experimental plot tended to decrease from start time to 14 days, concentration of iron were 0.0 mg/l in both the experiment and control plot at 14 days, the experiment plot showed effectively used in reducing a concentration of zinc and copper between the day 1 and day 14. To conclude, the results indicated that both plants could be used in wetlands engineered for iron and copper remediation.

Prokaryotic abundance, cell size and extracellular enzymatic activity in a human impacted and mangrove dominated tropical estuary (Can Gio, Vietnam)

Extracellular enzymatic activities constitute the first and limiting step of the whole process of organic matter (OM) cycling in aquatic ecosystems. This study aims to identify the factors controlling prokaryotes ability to hydrolyse OM in an Indo-Pacific tropical mangrove ecosystem (Can Gio, Vietnam). Prokaryotic abundance and leucine-aminopeptidase exo-proteolytic activity (EPA) were measured at vertical (from the sea-surface microlayer to bottom waters), spatial (along a transect within the estuary) and seasonal (wet and dry season) scales. Prokaryotic abundance ranged from 1.2 to 5.7 × 109 cells L−1 and EPA ranged from 24 to 505 nmol L−1 h−1 that was relatively similar to other highly productive ecosystems. The estuary was poorly stratified, most probably because of high water turbulence. Yet, exo-proteolytic activity was significantly higher in bottom waters, where higher loads of suspended particulate matter were measured. Seasonal and spatial differences in EPA suggest that the nature of OM transported by the Can Gio mangrove estuary affect EPA. The latter seems to be increased by two “uncommon” situations: the input of fresh and labile OM (e.g. shrimp farm effluents) or the lack of labile OM and the need to hydrolyse refractory compounds (e.g. during the dry season).

Comparing the biogeochemical functioning of two arid subtropical coastal lagoons: the effect of wastewater discharges

ABSTRACT Nutrient flux, net metabolism, and N2 fixation and denitrification processes were estimated and compared in two semi-arid subtropical coastal lagoons in the Gulf of California: El Soldado (ES), where no wastewater is discharged, and El Rancho (ER), where shrimp farm effluents are regularly discharged. Biogeochemical processes were evaluated with the LOICZ model. Flushing time was <2 days in both systems. Nutrient fluxes were higher in ER than in ES and both systems acted as nutrient sinks for most of the year. ER showed a larger nutrient flow rate in the summer and autumn due to the input of shrimp-farm effluents. Nitrogen fluxes increased in both ER and ES in the winter in response to the increased nutrient supply from coastal upwellings. ER and ES both showed autotrophic metabolism and N2 fixation in the spring, autumn, and winter, but heterotrophic metabolism and denitrification in the summer. Denitrification dominated in ER (−2.21 mmol m2 day−1) and values were higher than those estimated in ES (−0.45 mmol m2 day−1). The comparative analysis between ES and ER evidenced the significant changes in its biogeochemical performance caused by the input of anthropogenic nutrients, and can orient the environmental management of coastal lagoons.

Potential of Echinodorus Cordifolius and Vallisneria Natans in Constructed Wetlands for the Removal of Water Pollution from Shrimp Farm Effluent

Management of shrimp aquaculture wastewater is still the major problems in fisheries. Objectives of this study are to set up laboratory-scale wetlands to evaluate the phytoremediator performance of Echinodorus Cordifolius and Vallisneria Natans in improving aquaculture wastewater as a treatment technology from the first day, 3 days, 7 days, 10 days, 14 days, 17 days and 21 days. The controlled and experimental design setup describes both constructed wetland by glass tank sizes with a circulation system. The controlled wetland dones’t have plants and an experimental wetland have plants with details as follows: Echinodorus Cordifolius had fresh weight 193.05±13.502 g, length of plant 55.5±2.081 cm, length of root 30.25 ±6.344 cm. Vallisneria Natans had fresh weight 57.58±0.05 g, length of plant 15cm, length of root 4cm. The results showed that the survival rate (SVR) of both aquatic plants in the experiment was 100% for Echinodorus Cordifolius and 16.7% for Vallisneria Natan in the 21-day experiment. Furthermore, the experimental wetland can be considered as an effective solution in reducing 95.68% of ammonium-nitrogen, 98.86% of nitrate-nitrogen, 60.02% of phosphate, 46,72% of chemical oxygen demand, 100% of iron, 97,4% of copper when compared with the concentration at the beginning of the experiment. To be concluded, the growth and development of Echinodorus Cordifolius and Vallisneria Natans in this wetland has a positive effect on reducing pollutants of shrimp aquaculture effluents in all the 21day experiment.

Water quality impact from shrimp farming effluents in a tropical estuary.

Shrimp farms cause environmental impacts in coastal ecosystems, compromising water quality by discharging effluents rich in nutrients and organic matter. The impacts of shrimp farming are often investigated by the unit effect of a farm. In this study, a harvest time series generator is used to analyze the impact of the synergistic effect of several shrimp farm harvests in a tropical estuary. Two other scenarios with harvests concentrated during spring and neap tides were also analyzed, showing waste management techniques that can reduce the impact of shrimp aquaculture on coastal areas. A hydrodynamic circulation and water quality model were implemented to evaluate the dispersion of pollutants using different discharge combinations. The harvesting scenarios were compared to a scenario without the activity. Results indicate that shrimp farming is not the main anthropogenic source of pollution in the estuary studied. There were no significant differences in the average and maximum variations in nutrient and organic matter concentrations between the different management techniques.

Nutrient removal from aquaculture effluent using settling ponds and filter-feeding species (Amphibalanus amphitrite and Saccostrea cucullata): an in-situ study

The potential application of settling ponds and two fouling filter-feeder species Amphibalanus amphitrite and Saccostrea cucullata to bioremediate semi-intensive shrimp farm effluent through 6 hours residence time was investigated. Settling pond reduced total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a to 80.5%, 77.8% and 94.3% of the initial concentrations (2.47 ± 0.07 mg L-1, 0.154 ± 0.006 mg L-1, and 24.44 ± 2.02 µg L-1), respectively. Amongst S. cucullata, A. amphitrite and combination of both species, oysters showed the highest efficiency in nutrient removal. Total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a diminished respectively to 70.6%, 67.7% and 40.9% of the initial concentrations in oyster treatments. These proportions were respectively 81.5%, 63.2% and 72.4% for ponds contacting barnacles, and 69.3%, 71.2% and 44.9% of the initial amounts in the combination of the two species treatment. Among three different densities used for treatments, medium density of oysters (0.54 oyster per liter) showed comparable effectiveness in nutrients and phytoplankton removal to the high density. Lower ammonia production along with imposing less costs and effort, as well as relatively equal ability; suggest the medium density of S. cucullata as the most suitable choice. Our results suggest that applying settlement ponds, and particularly with filter-feeder species such as S. cucullata, might mitigate the adverse impacts of shrimp wastewater, including coastal eutrophication, on adjacent ecosystems.

Shrimp farming influence on carbon and nutrient accumulation within Peruvian mangroves sediments

In order to investigate the influence of shrimp farming activities on carbon and nutrient accumulation, sediment cores were collected from two areas at different distances from shrimp farms within a Peruvian mangrove ecosystem. In both areas two sediment cores were collected in a transect, one from a mangrove-covered site and one from a mudflat site. At both study sites, the isotopic values of carbon and nitrogen as well as the C:N molar ratios suggest that the highest carbon accumulation rates were linked to terrestrial-derived organic matter, with higher carbon stocks and fluxes within mangrove-covered zones. The historical records indicate that since the mid-1970′s, the areas nearest to the shrimp farming activity have been accumulating higher proportions of algal derived organic matter, which were likely triggered by the high nutrient influx derived from shrimp farming effluents. The carbon and nutrient fluxes were up to threefold higher within the area nearest to the shrimp farms, whereas the geochronologies showed that the carbon and nutrient stocks in this area increased by up to twofold. The results showed that mangrove-covered zones are more capable to keep pace with sea level rise (SLR) as compared to the mudflat zones, indicating the importance of mangrove vegetation in terms of the vulnerability of this region to SLR and an ongoing capacity to continue accumulating sediments. This study highlights the role that mangrove vegetation plays in mitigating the impact of shrimp farming activities, accumulating carbon and nutrients in pace with SLR.

Nitrogen mineralization and eutrophication risks in mangroves receiving shrimp farming effluents

Nitrogen (N) inputs originated from shrimp farming effluents were evaluated for potential changes in the net N mineralization for mangrove soils from Northeastern Brazil. Our study provides notable information and assessment for the potential enhancement of N mineralization in preserved and shrimp-impacted semi-arid mangrove soils of the Jaguaribe River estuary, which is one of the largest shrimp producers of Brazil, using an analytical and daily tidal variation experimental approach. Nitrogen-rich effluents promoted a significant (p value < 0.001) increase of the total soil N content (1998 ± 201mgkg-1 on average) compared with the preserved sites (average: 1446 ± 295mgkg-1). The effluents also increased the N mineralization in the shrimp-impacted sites (N-min: 86.6 ± 37.5mgkg-1), when compared with preserved mangroves (N-min: 56.5 ± 23.8mgkg-1). Over a daily tidal variation experiment, we found that just 30% (36.2 ± 20.6mgkg-1) of mineralized N remains stored in the soil, whereas 70% (102.9 ± 38.8mgkg-1) was solubilized in tidal waters. Therefore, the N mineralization process may trigger eutrophication by increasing N inorganic bioavailability in mangrove soils receiving N-rich effluents from shrimp ponds, which in turn might increase primary producers' activity. This approach has not been studied so far in semi-arid mangroves, where the shrimp farming activity is one of the most important economic activities.