Bioremediation in prawn grow out systems - Winter school on recent advances in diagnosis and management of diseases in mariculture, 7th to 27th November 2002, Course Manual

Abstract

In any aquaculture systems there exist a continuous exchange of substances between the bottom sediment and the overlying water, and between the two and the reared animal body. This exchange is strongly influenced by the inputs made continuously in to the system. As a matter of fact the bottom soil conditions and water quality in ponds are very much closely interrelated. Obviously, the water quality in ponds is very much influenced by the nutrient inputs, organic matter content, primary productivity and dissolved oxygen. Any aquaculture system has a finite capacity to assimilate nutrients, organic matter and the byproducts of degradation to a level congenial for the animals to grow. Bioremediation aims at the maintenance and enhancement of this finite capacity of the pond in favour and well being of the stock. Bioremediation in principle use microorganisms to transform/ decontaminate toxic pollutants in the environment. The process has two basic methods I. Bioaugmentation. 2. Biostimulation. One of the main concerns of bioremediation is that the degradation products, whatever it may be, should be non toxic to the stocked animals. Major advantages of bioremediation are I. It can be done on site (in-situ) 2. The process does not lead to any site disruption, 3. There is every possibility for permanent waste elimination, 4. Being a biological process it will be comparatively too inexpensive and 5. Can be effectively coupled with other treatment technologies