Investigating the application of the aquaponic paradigm to Litopenaeus vannamei farming

Abstract

Abstract Aquaponics, a sustainable farming system combining aquaculture and hydroponics, has been widely adopted, used, particularly in freshwater. This study explores the feasibility of adapting the aquaponic model to saltwater conditions, specifically for wastewater treatment from Litopenaeus vannamei farming using the salt-tolerant plant species Rhizophora apiculata Blume. It focuses on plant development and calculates the water treatment effectiveness in terms of nutrient removal in mg of NH4 +, NO2 −, NO3 −, and total phosphorus per gram of plant mass. The first phase involved seedling production, model creation, and testing the plant’s wastewater treatment capabilities. After three months of growth, the plants are subjected to shrimp wastewater, and their nutrient removal efficiency is determined. The obtained data provides essential parameters for the operation of the model during Phase 2. In Phase 1, R. apiculata Blume removed NH4 +, NO2 −, NO3 −, and total phosphorus at 95%, 97%, 59%, and 57% efficiency after seven days, respectively. It focuses on plant development and quantifies the efficiency of water treatment by measuring the removal of nutrients such as NH4 +, NO2 −, NO3 −, and total phosphorus per gram of plant mass.The calculated nutrient removal coefficients per gram of plant mass are NH4 +: 0.007, NO2 −: 0.005, NO3 −: 0.031 and total phosphorus: 0.121. In Phase 2, the designed aquaponic model was developed, which included a shrimp tank with 300 individuals per 1 m3, a fish tank with 50 individuals per 0.5 m3, and a plant growing system. The experimental aquaponic model demonstrates the technical feasibility of using R. apiculata Blume to recycle water in shrimp farming. The model shows potential for scaling up and offers additional benefits, as the leaves R. apiculata of can serve as an herbal source for aquatic species.