Evaluation of a Semi-Intensive Aquaponics System, with and without Bacterial Biofilter in a Tropical Location

Laura Silva, Edgardo Escalante, David Valdés-Lozano, Martha Hernández and Eucario Gasca-Leyva
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Laura Silva: Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN-CINVESTAV, Km 6 Antigua Carretera a Progreso, C.P. 97310 Mérida, Mexico
Edgardo Escalante: Centro Regional Universitario de la Península de Yucatán, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Ex Hacienda Temozón Norte, C.P. 97310 Mérida, Mexico
David Valdés-Lozano: Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN-CINVESTAV, Km 6 Antigua Carretera a Progreso, C.P. 97310 Mérida, Mexico
Martha Hernández: Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN-CINVESTAV, Km 6 Antigua Carretera a Progreso, C.P. 97310 Mérida, Mexico
Eucario Gasca-Leyva: Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN-CINVESTAV, Km 6 Antigua Carretera a Progreso, C.P. 97310 Mérida, Mexico

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: This study compares the aquaponics Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus )—pak choi ( Brassica chinensis ) system with and without a bacterial biofilter (BF and NBF) in a tropical location. The aim was to determine whether a semi-intensive aquaponics system NBF could offer a production alternative for small-scale farmers in this region, both technically and biologically. The Tilapia aquaponics culture was continuously recirculated and water was added (influent) and removed (effluent) from the plant aquaponics culture every 24 h. Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite nitrogen (NO 2 − -N) were analysed in the plant aquaponics culture influent and effluent. At the end of the experiment the individual fresh total weight, dry total weight, edible weight, height and diameter of the pak choi plants were measured. None of the pak choi variables showed significant differences between treatments. TAN and NO 2 − -N were higher in the NBF influent than in the BF influent. TAN and NO 2 − -N in the effluent of both treatments were similar and lower than in the influent. The plant aquaponics culture therefore works as a biofilter and the NBF aquaponics system could be used for small-scale farmers in the tropics, with easier management and less costs than a BF aquaponics system.

Keywords: aquaculture integrated systems; Nile tilapia; pak choi; biological wastewater treatment; small-scale farmers; tropical aquaculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:4:p:592-:d:95627

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