Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Aquaponic'

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone
This capstone project compares traditional agricultural methods to those of aquaponics. Qualitative research is used to study the effectiveness of aquaponic systems and its ability to solve the financial and environmental impacts of current agricultural methods. This study looks at the environmental, financial, and health impacts of agriculture. Three case studies are used to compare an aquaponic system, aquaculture operation, and an organic farm.

Master of Science
Department of Civil Engineering
Steven K. Starrett
Current aquaponic technology ranges from backyard hobbyist to technologically advanced commercial production. A single source for protein (fish) and nutrients/vitamins (vegetables), development of a technologically simplified commercial-scale system is a realistic solution for many impoverished nations. This study develops a simplified aquaponic facility to be implemented in rural northern Uganda. Research objectives were to: (1) identify simplified commercial-scale system design components, (2) establish a water quality baseline, (3) identify plant/tilapia production ratios, (4) identify construction materials available in northern Uganda, (5) integrate culturally familiar elements, (6) complete preliminary facility design, and (7) calculate facility water balance. The study established that a viable simplified design achieves: (1) water circulation with weir gravity flow and one return pump, (2) tank cleaning with strategically sloped floors and manual waste siphoning, and (3) breeding control with raised bottom fishnets. Submerged aeration is critical to optimal fish growth, and cannot be eliminated despite surface aeration’s low energy appeal. Baseline water quality parameter values of DO > 3 mg/L, pH > 5.5, and TAN > 3 mg/L (2 mg/L average) were established for the pilot study configuration and hydraulic retention time (HRT). A plant/tilapia ratio of 2.5 ft[superscript]2/lb was identified for the proposed facility’s design. The simplified design was assessed compatible with concrete block construction local to northern Uganda. Incorporating the following culturally familiar elements will facilitate technology adoption: utilize native fish (tilapia) and vegetable crops identified in community markets, replace commercially produced plant tank raft components with woven matting from locally available natural materials, and identify the unfamiliar proposed tank design with newly adopted raceway culture techniques at a well-known Ugandan national fishery institute. A proposed facility preliminary design represents local materials, identified plant/tilapia ratio, minimum HRT, and simplified design components for tilapia densities ranging from 12 to 3 gal/lb. With the facility supplied by both rainwater and groundwater, corresponding water balances for 12 to 3 gal/lb densities ranged from a 9,735 gal/yr well supply demand to a 10,984 gal/yr rainwater surplus.

Aquaponics, the integrated production of fish and hydroponic crops in a recirculating system, is an intensive cultivation method in which metabolic fish wastes fertilize plants. This study compares the effects of two aquafeeds on Red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) productivity and on water quality under cultivation of Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), with three aquaponic units (n=3) per treatment over a 60-day trial. The fishmeal-based control feed contains higher crude protein (40%) and phosphorus (1.12%) than the plant-based alternative feed (32% and 0.40%). The alternative feed resulted in a significantly higher amaranth crop yield (p

Insect meal has excellent potential as food or feed. There is a need to provide enough food for the growing population, which is linked to the increasing demand for livestock production. Meat and fish have always been the staple of the human diet as a rich source of proteins and fats for human nutrition. Fish is a good source of animal protein and fat for humans, which forms the basis of the diet of a large number of people who generally live in coastal areas. The increasing demand for fish is associated with a growing interest in high-quality and affordable fish feed. Nowadays, the main ingredient in fish feed is fishmeal, and the price is constantly increasing. The sustainability of the aquaculture industry depends on finding a substitute for fishmeal with the same nutritional value and availability. Recently, there has been a growing interest in animal protein from insects for fish fattening. This thesis focused on analysing insect meal from mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) and its use for food and feed purposes. The theoretical part describes the mealworm, the use of insect meal for human nutrition, and fish fattening. It also describes the requirements of fish for individual nutrients and the characterisation of insects for feeding purposes, focusing on the mealworm used as an alternative feed ingredient in fish. The individual major nutrients, namely protein, lipids, fatty acids, amino acids, fibre, chitin, and selected minerals, were determined in the experimental part. The experimental part was divided into two parts, and the first part was divided into two phases. The first phase was used to determine the nutritional components in two fractions of insect meal from Tenebrio molitor larvae. The first fraction contained the fine fraction, and the second fraction the coarse fraction of insect meal. In the second phase, the content of nutritionally significant components was only determined in the insect meal from dried larvae without fractionation. A fish feed was designed from the analyses results. In the second part, the effect of the addition of insect meal from Tenebrio molitor for food purposes was investigated; specifically, the sensory properties of muffins were monitored. From the results, it can be observed that the nutritional composition of the insect meal suggests the possibility of using the mealworm larvae as an ingredient in the fish diet. The insect meal contains a high proportion of valuable proteins and lipids necessary for fish farming and a low proportion of carbohydrates, which unlike humans, fish do not need in their diet. The sensory analysis results indicate that consumers are not prepared to eat foods with added insects.

Aquaponik-Systeme stellen an sich einen sehr nachhaltigen, innovativen Ansatz für die zukünftige Lebensmittelproduktion dar. Allerdings hat sich bis heute noch kein flächendeckender, ökonomischer Erfolg eingestellt und wesentliche systemische Engpässe wurden wissenschaftlich nicht untersucht. Daher waren die Hauptziele dieser Dissertation, (I) sichere Nitratkonzentrationen in geschlossenen Kreislaufanlagen (RAS) zu ermitteln, unter denen optimales Wachstum und Tierwohl produzierter Tilapien gewährleistet ist, (II) die Evaluierung des besten Designkonzeptes für die optimale, kombinierte Produktion von Fisch und Pflanzen und (III) die allgemeine Effizienz bei der Wiederverwertung des Abwassers und der Nährstoffe aus dem Schlamm der mechanischen Filtrationseinheiten in aquaponischen Systemen zu erhöhen. Das Wachstum und die Gesundheit von Niltilapien (Oreochromis niloticus) wird durch hohe Nitratkonzentrationen (> 500 mgL-1 NO3--N) negativ beeinflusst. Nitratkonzentrationen, die für die Produktion von Pflanzen in aquaponischen Systemen (~ 200 mgL-1 NO3--N) optimal sind, haben keinen negativen Einfluss auf das Tierwohl. Entkoppelte Kreislaufsysteme sind bei einer professionellen aquaponischen Produktion von Fisch und Pflanzen zu bevorzugen. Bei der Produktion von Fisch ergab sich keinerlei Unterschied, jedoch wurde eine deutlich gesteigerte Tomatenproduktion von 36 % in entkoppelten Kreislaufsystemen erreicht. Die aerobe Mineralisation zeigte das beste Rückgewinnungpotential von Phosphat und nur geringe Nitratverluste und kann in der Gesamtheit eine deutliche Effizienzsteigerung aquaponischer Systeme zur Folge haben. Die Ergebnisse dieser Dissertation zeigen die Engpässe in der Aquaponik klar auf und liefern gleichzeitig Lösungsansätze, wie diese Hindernisse in Bezug auf das Nährstoff- und Ressourcenmanagement überwunden werden können. Dadurch kann die Nachhaltigkeit dieser Anlagen gesteigert und die Wahrscheinlichkeit des wirtschaftlichen Erfolges erhöht werden.
Aquaponics is the combination of fish production in aquaculture and hydroponic (soilless) production of crop plants. Despite of representing already a sustainable, innovative approach for future food production systems, aquaponics are still missing economic success and up to date major bottlenecks were not scientifically addressed. Therefore the main aims of this thesis were (I) to identify safe nitrate concentrations under which best growth and health status of tilapia can be guaranteed in aquaponics, (II) to evaluate the best design concept for an optimal combined production of fish and plants and (III) to increase the overall system efficiency by recycling waste water and nutrients deposited in the sludge of the mechanical filtration unit. The growth and health status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is negatively affected by high nitrate concentrations (> 500 mgL-1 NO3--N) commonly reported for RAS. Nevertheless, optimal nitrate concentrations for plant production in aquaponic systems (~ 200 mgL-1 NO3--N) are not affecting fish welfare and allow for an efficient production of Nile tilapia. Decoupled aquaponics proved to be favorable for professional aquaponic production, whereas coupled systems were suboptimal for a combined production of fish and plants. There were no differences in fish production, whereas tomato production within the decoupled system was considerably increased by 36 %. Aerobic mineralization of phosphate revealed best phosphate recovery with only minor losses of nitrate. Recycling of water sludge mixture from clarifiers resulted in a substantial phosphor recovery, an increase in potassium and additional water savings. Conclusively, the results of this holistic thesis clearly revealed the bottlenecks in aquaponic technology and provided guidance in overcoming mayor obstacles in terms of optimized nutrient and resource management to increase the overall sustainability of these systems and improve production efficiency and profitability.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Stellenbosch University was approached to assist with developing a techno-financial model for an urban freshwater aquaculture system in Philippi, Cape Town. Rapidly growing urban areas are predominantly becoming concentrated zones for malnutrition and poverty which require attention. Having enough food to eat does not mean that a family is food secure, the problem is usually associated with the lack of access to nutritious food. Fish is seen as an extremely healthy food which has the potential to effectively support food security and alleviate malnutrition. Aquaculture is identified as a largely underdeveloped sector in South Africa. It is currently undergoing rapid transition, being promoted by government as an industry that has potential to develop and create jobs, provide food security and grow the South African economy. Aquaponics- a method to integrate aquaculture with growing crops in a symbiotic system is a highly resource efficient closed-integrated food producing technology which has the potential to benefit from South African biosecurity regulations and climate-geographic characteristics. It is viewed as an effective food production alternative to deal with the challenges of declining high quality freshwater resources and available arable land. Training and capacity building is important for the development of aquaponic technology. This study explores and identifies the advantages aquaponic technology development would have in South Africa. The study has reviewed and assessed the fundamental principles for aquaculture production and management required for aquaponic systems development and management. A practical case study identifies the daily challenges and design parameters of aquaponic systems. The study is concluded with a techno-financial project proposal which shows how aquaponic systems can be planned.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Universiteit Stellenbosch was genader om 'n tegno-finansiele model to ontwikkel vir 'n stedelike akwakultuur plaas in Philippi, Kaapstad. The tempo waarteen die stedelike areas groei ontwikkel kommerwekkende uitdagings soos wanvoeding en armoede. In hierdie studie is vis geindentifiseer as 'n uiters voedsame aanvulling in die dieet van Suid Afrikaners. Akwakultuur is grootliks agter in terme van ontwikkeling. Dit word beskou as 'n sektor wat groot potensiaal inhou vir Suid Afrika se eknomiese groei, werkskepping en voedselsekuriteit. Akwaponika is die hersirkulerende integrasie van akwakultuur en hidroponika. Akwaponika hou groot voordele in terme van Suid Afrika se biosekuriteit regulasies and geografiese eienskappe en is 'n effektiewe manier om gebruikte akwakultuur te suiwer. Opleiding en beplanning word gesien as 'n fundamentele benadering tot suskesvolle akwaponika ontwikkeling. Hierdie studie bestudeer die Suid Afrikaanse omgewing en potensiaal vir akwaponika ontwikkeling. Die fundamentele beginsels van akwakultuur en hidroponika bestuur en produksie is saamgesit wat beskou word as die aanbevele manier om akwaponika te bestuur. 'n Praktiese gevallestudie toon die daaglikse uitdagings aan en gee raad oor daaglikse bestuur van akwaponika stelsels. Die studie word afgesluit met 'n tegno-finansiele model wat wys hoe om 'n akwaponika sisteem te beplan.

This study was done with the aim of deepening the understanding of the Maya Chay aquaponic systems. To meet the aim, a literature study on aquaponics, with an emphasis on the nitrogen metabolism in such systems, was conducted. Furthermore, a deep investigation of the specific Maya Chay systems was made to understand how these systems might be different from the general aquaponic designs. Finally, two nitrogen balances were developed with the purpose of examining the dynamics of the nitrogen transformations in two Maya Chay aquaponic systems. The measurements for the nitrogen balances was made between Mars 2017 to July 2017, and the model for the nitrogen balances evaluated the amount of nitrogen as: i) nitrogen input to the system through the feed, ii) nitrogen assimilated by the fish and the plants, iii) nitrogen accumulated in the sludge, and iv) nitrogen lost to the atmosphere through denitrification and similar processes such as anammox. The resulting nitrogen balances showed some interesting differences in the dynamics of nitrogen distribution. In the smaller Maya Chay XS system in Antigua, only 36 % of the nitrogen input was assimilated by the fish (30 %) and the plants (6 %) and 64 % of the nitrogen input could be regarded as lost, either to the atmosphere (46 %) or in the sludge (18 %). The other nitrogen balance showed that the distribution of nitrogen in the Maya Chay S system in Chinautla is much more efficient in taking care of the nitrogen input. In this system 70 % was assimilated by the fish (33 %) and the vegetables (37 %) and the remaining 30 % was lost, either to the atmosphere (14 %) or in the sludge (16 %). The nitrogen balances also showed that both systems are almost equally efficient in terms of nitrogen assimilation by the fish, and that the big differences lie in the rate of nitrogen assimilation by the plants (6 % vs. 30 %) and in the nitrogen loss to the atmosphere (46 % vs. 14 %). A likely explanation for these differences is the difference in design of the vegetable beds, where the less efficient system in Antigua has a large surface area for the vegetable bed, but only a small portion of this could be utilized for vegetable growth. Furthermore, a consequence of the larger surface is a larger anoxic zone in the bottom of the vegetable bed, which promotes the growth of denitrifying and anammox bacteria. These kinds of bacteria convert the dissolved ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to gas forms of nitrogen, such as nitrogen gas and nitrous oxide and thus nitrogen is lost from the system to the atmosphere. Finally, this study also showed a great difference in the ratio of vegetable to fish production between the systems, where the ratio was 0.43 in Antigua and 2.7 in Chinautla. This ratio further indicates the difference in design between the systems, especially regarding the vegetable beds, has an impact on how well they perform, both in terms in economic and productivity terms, but also in terms of the release of greenhouse gases (nitrous oxide). It can therefore be concluded that the original design of the Maya Chay system (i.e. the Chinautla system) is the preferable one. Even though the accuracy of the measurements in the experiments could be improved for future studies, this study has demonstrated the value of making nitrogen balances for aquaponic systems. Nitrogen balances increase the knowledge of the performance of the system and they increase the understanding of the dynamics of nitrogen transformations that takes place in the system. This knowledge can then be utilized to adjust the design and/or verify if either the aquaculture or hydroponic system is properly designed.
Den här studien gjordes med syftet att fördjupa förståelsen kring Maya Chay akvaponiska system. För att uppnå syftet, utfördes en litteraturstudie som fokuserade på metabolismen av kväve i sådana system. Vidare undersöktes specifika Maya Chay system för att förstå hur dessa system skulle kunna skilja sig från den generella akvaponiska designen. Slutligen utvecklades två kvävebalanser i syfte att utforska dynamiken i de kväveomvandlingar som sker i två Maya Chay akvaponiska system. Mätningarna för kvävebalanserna gjordes i perioden mars 2017 till juli 2017, och modellen för kvävebalanserna utvärderade mängden kväve som: i) kväve som tillförts till systemet genom fodret, ii) kväve som assimilerats av fiskarna och växterna, iii) kväve som ackumulerats i slammet, och iv) kväve som gått förlorat till atmosfären genom denitrifikation och liknande processer så som anammox. Resultaten från kvävebalanserna visade intressanta skillnader kring dynamiken av kvävefördelningen. I det mindre Maya Chay XS systemet i Antigua, assimilerades endast 36 % av kvävet av fiskarna (30 %) och växterna (6 %) och 64 % av kvävet ansågs som förluster, antingen till atmosfären (46 %) eller genom slammet (18 %). Den andra kvävebalansen visade att fördelningen av kväve i Maya Chay S systemet i Chinautla är mycket mer effektivt gällande tillvaratagandet av tillfört kväve. I detta system assimilerades 70 % av fiskarna (33 %) och av växterna (37 %) och de resterande 30 % gick förlorat, antingen till atmosfären (14 %) eller i slammet (16 %). Kvävebalanserna visade även att bägge systemen är mer eller mindre likvärdiga gällande assimilering av kväve från fiskarna, och att den stora skillnaden mellan systemen ligger i hur mycket kväve som assimilerats av växterna (6 % vs. 37 %) samt hur mycket kväve som gått förlorat till atmosfären (46 % vs. 14 %). En sannolik förklaring till dessa skillnader är skillnaden i designen av växtbäddarna för två systemen, där det mindre effektiva systemet i Antigua har större area för växtbädden, men endast en mindre del av denna kunde nyttjas för odling av grönsaker. Som konsekvens av den större arean av växtbädden är en större volym syrefattigt vatten i botten av växtbädden, vilket verkar för tillväxt av denitrifierande och anammoxa bakterier. Dessa typer av bakterier omvandlar den upplösta ammoniaken, nitriten samt nitratet till kväveföreningar i gasform, till exempel kvävgas och lustgas och därav går kvävet förlorat till atmosfären. Slutligen visade den här studien stora skillnader i förhållandet mellan växt- och fisk-produktion mellan de två systemen, där förhållandet var 0.43 i Antigua och 2.7 i Chinautla. Skillnaden mellan de två olika förhållandena är ytterligare en indikation till att skillnaden i designen mellan systemen, speciellt med avseende på växtbäddarna, har en effekt på hur väl systemen presterar, både i termer som ekonomi och produktivitet, men också i termer som utsläpp av växthusgaser (lustgas). Därför kan slutsatsen dras att den ursprungliga designen av Maya Chay systemen (det vill säga systemet i Chinautla) är att föredra. Även om noggrannheten i mätningarna i detta experiment skulle kunna förbättras i framtida experiment, så visar denna studie värdet av att utföra kvävebalanser för akvaponiska system. Kvävebalanserna ökar kunskapen om hur väl systemen fungerar och dom ökar kunskapen kring dynamiken i kväveomvandlingarna som sker i systemen. Denna kunskap kan sedan utnyttjas för att justera designen av systemen och/eller verifiera om antingen vattenbruksdelen eller hydroponidelen i systemet är feldimensionerad.

Vertical farming has been proposed as a solution for providing food security for an increasing, urbanized human population. Light-emitting diode (LED) technology has become increasingly affordable and efficient, making it an ideal choice as artificial lighting for indoor farms. Still largely undiscovered parameters are the optimal plant varieties and types of production systems for plant growth, profit, and human nutrition. Aquaponics may be able to provide sustainable animal protein for vertical farms, increasing their ability to provide more substantial nutrition to consumers. This research aimed to better understand vertical farming as a food production system, and to determine if aquaponics can be an appropriate and applicable fit for it. The experiment was a randomized, factorial design with three independent variables: (1) LED photoperiod interval (2) LED-plant distance, and (3) nutrient solution, as well as several dependent variables to assess both plant yield and quality. A 4-tiered shelving unit was constructed for nutrient film technique (NFT) plant production, and treatments were assigned to each row: (1) LED experiment: Row A, 12/12hr reduced photoperiod with adjustable LEDs 4in. above plant surface; Row B, 2/1hr altered photoperiod interval relative to the control; Row C (control), 16/8hr “standard” photoperiod. (2) Nutrient experiment: Row C, aquaponic nutrient solution; Row H, hydroponic nutrient solution. Rows C and H had matched photoperiod and light intensity. Kale from Row A had significantly lower fresh and dry plant yield relative to the control, Row C (p<0.05). Hydroponic romaine, Row H, had significantly higher plant yield relative to aquaponics, Row C (p<0.05). Butterhead yields were not significantly different in any treatments (p>0.05). Future research may implement a larger sample size of only one plant variety, harvest plants earlier, limit light intensity variation, effectively “balance” the aquaponics system, and have more measures of plant “quality.”

By 2050, it is estimated that food production will need to increase by 70 percent in developed countries and 100 percent in developing countries to meet the demands of future populations. In countries such as the United Kingdom - where the opportunities for increasing food production are limited due to the lack of available land - urban agriculture is seen as a possible solution to meeting increased food demand. However, many cities in the United Kingdom exhibit high building densities and the availability of space at ground level for agricultural activities is in short supply. As a result, the practice of urban agriculture in high-density cities is typically portrayed as a succession of purpose-built edifices that are filled with lettuces or livestock; illustrating a method of food production that is dependent on substantial investment and the demolition of existing buildings to succeed. Within this thesis, these large utopian agricultural skyscrapers are pushed to one side, and existing buildings become the focus of the research; so as to work with cities as they exist today rather than against them. The aim of this thesis is to determine the productivity of building integrated technical food systems and to understand the challenges that face their integration within existing buildings in the future, to calculate the cumulative impact of building integrated technical food systems on UK food security and to understand the potential benefits of building integrated technical food systems such as employment opportunities and the increase in green infrastructure. The delivery of this thesis is not dependent on a pre-existing hypothesis that building integrated technical food systems will drastically improve food security. Instead, this thesis relies on the design of real-world experiments, the development of simulated studies and the construction of logical arguments to quantify and qualify the potential impacts of building integrated technical food systems.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o sistema integrado do berçário secundário do camarão-da-amazônia (Macrobrachium amazonicum) com o cultivo hidropônico de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) e agrião (Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum). O experimento foi conduzido durante o inverno no Setor de Carcinicultura do Centro de Aqüicultura da Unesp - CAUNESP – Jaboticabal, SP. Os juvenis I (provenientes do berçário primário) com peso médio inicial de 0,08±0,03g, foram estocados em quatro viveiros escavados (90m²) sob ambiente protegido em uma densidade de 80 juvenis/m². Os camarões foram alimentados com ração comercial peletizada (45% PB) a uma taxa de 9 a 6 % da biomassa. Após noventa dias de cultivo, foi observado aumento médio de 0,98g dos camarões e sobrevivência média de 76%. O sistema hidropônico utilizado foi o NFT - “Nutrient Film Thecnic”, no qual a água dos viveiros era bombeada e circulava nos canais hidropônicos durante intervalos de 15 minutos pré-determinados através de um temporizador, e após isso, retornavam para os viveiros. As mudas de alface e agrião foram transplantadas para o sistema aos 25 dias após a semeadura e cultivadas por 45 dias até serem colhidas. Foram estudados cinco tratamentos com seis repetições, para avaliar os efeitos da pulverização e/ou do gotejamento com solução nutritiva na biomassa das plantas cultivadas. O agrião conseguiu seu melhor desenvolvimento com duas pulverizações semanais e gotejamento. Esta hortaliça foi capaz de atingir o tamanho comercial mesmo sem a adição de solução nutritiva. No entanto a alface que não alcançou o tamanho comercial em nenhum tratamento utilizado. Portanto a água residual do sistema de berçário secundário de camarão-da-amazônia foi suficiente para atender a demanda no cultivo do agrião, mas não o da alface. O acréscimo nos valores de nutrientes...
Integrated system of the nursery Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) with the hydroponics culture. The aim of this research was to study the integration of the secondary nursery of Macrobrachium amazonicum and the hydroponic culture of lettuces (Sativa Lactuca L.) and watercresses (Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum). The experiment was lead 90 days during the winter in the sector of prawn farming of the CAUNESP - Jaboticabal, SP. The juveniles, proceeding from the primary nursery (0.08±0.03g), had been stoked in four earthen ponds (90m2) under protected environment in a density of 80 juveniles/m2.The juveniles had been fed with a commercial marine shrimp diet (45% PB) to a tax of 9 to 6% of the biomass. After the total harvest, was observed an increase in the weight of the prawns of 0.08g for 1.06g and a survival of 76%. The maximum and minimum temperatures of the water of the ponds and the environment, the relative humidity of internal and external air to the protected system, the precipitation and daily sunstroke had been measured during the experiment. Was used hydroponics system “Nutrient Film Thecnic”, which the water of the ponds was pumped and remained in the hydroponics, and after this, returned for the ponds. The lettuces and watercresses had been planted for the system with 25 days of life and had remained per 45 days until being collected. Five treatments with six repetitions were tested, to evaluate the effect of the spraying and/or the dripping with nutritional solution in the biomass of the produced plants. The results indicate that water-cresses cultivated in hidroponia with water of the prawn farming nurseries had obtained its better development with a weekly two spraying and dripping. This plant was capable to exactly reach the commercial weight without the addition of nutritional solution... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Orientador: Antonio Fernando Monteiro Camargo
Banca: Jairo Augusto Campos Araujo
Banca: Wagner Cotroni Valenti
Banca: Ana Eliza Baccarin Leonardo
Banca: Margarete Mallasen
Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o sistema integrado do berçário secundário do camarão-da-amazônia (Macrobrachium amazonicum) com o cultivo hidropônico de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) e agrião (Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum). O experimento foi conduzido durante o inverno no Setor de Carcinicultura do Centro de Aqüicultura da Unesp - CAUNESP - Jaboticabal, SP. Os juvenis I (provenientes do berçário primário) com peso médio inicial de 0,08±0,03g, foram estocados em quatro viveiros escavados (90m²) sob ambiente protegido em uma densidade de 80 juvenis/m². Os camarões foram alimentados com ração comercial peletizada (45% PB) a uma taxa de 9 a 6 % da biomassa. Após noventa dias de cultivo, foi observado aumento médio de 0,98g dos camarões e sobrevivência média de 76%. O sistema hidropônico utilizado foi o NFT - "Nutrient Film Thecnic", no qual a água dos viveiros era bombeada e circulava nos canais hidropônicos durante intervalos de 15 minutos pré-determinados através de um temporizador, e após isso, retornavam para os viveiros. As mudas de alface e agrião foram transplantadas para o sistema aos 25 dias após a semeadura e cultivadas por 45 dias até serem colhidas. Foram estudados cinco tratamentos com seis repetições, para avaliar os efeitos da pulverização e/ou do gotejamento com solução nutritiva na biomassa das plantas cultivadas. O agrião conseguiu seu melhor desenvolvimento com duas pulverizações semanais e gotejamento. Esta hortaliça foi capaz de atingir o tamanho comercial mesmo sem a adição de solução nutritiva. No entanto a alface que não alcançou o tamanho comercial em nenhum tratamento utilizado. Portanto a água residual do sistema de berçário secundário de camarão-da-amazônia foi suficiente para atender a demanda no cultivo do agrião, mas não o da alface. O acréscimo nos valores de nutrientes... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Integrated system of the nursery Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) with the hydroponics culture. The aim of this research was to study the integration of the secondary nursery of Macrobrachium amazonicum and the hydroponic culture of lettuces (Sativa Lactuca L.) and watercresses (Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum). The experiment was lead 90 days during the winter in the sector of prawn farming of the CAUNESP - Jaboticabal, SP. The juveniles, proceeding from the primary nursery (0.08±0.03g), had been stoked in four earthen ponds (90m2) under protected environment in a density of 80 juveniles/m2.The juveniles had been fed with a commercial marine shrimp diet (45% PB) to a tax of 9 to 6% of the biomass. After the total harvest, was observed an increase in the weight of the prawns of 0.08g for 1.06g and a survival of 76%. The maximum and minimum temperatures of the water of the ponds and the environment, the relative humidity of internal and external air to the protected system, the precipitation and daily sunstroke had been measured during the experiment. Was used hydroponics system "Nutrient Film Thecnic", which the water of the ponds was pumped and remained in the hydroponics, and after this, returned for the ponds. The lettuces and watercresses had been planted for the system with 25 days of life and had remained per 45 days until being collected. Five treatments with six repetitions were tested, to evaluate the effect of the spraying and/or the dripping with nutritional solution in the biomass of the produced plants. The results indicate that water-cresses cultivated in hidroponia with water of the prawn farming nurseries had obtained its better development with a weekly two spraying and dripping. This plant was capable to exactly reach the commercial weight without the addition of nutritional solution... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below)
Doutor

Increasing demands on our natural resources require unique solutions. Our design combines an aquaculture subsystem with a hydroponics subsystem to maximize efficiency and fully utilize all resources with minimal waste and environmental impact. Current aquaponics designs use either rectangular raceways or circular tanks for the aquaculture subsystem. Circular tanks are very common and offer the advantage of efficient solid waste removal. Solids can be pushed down towards a center drain and flushed out of the system easily with rotational flow within the tank. Raceway designs are also used extensively and offer the advantage of better utilization of floor space. Our design brings these two configurations together by creating circular flow in 3 hydraulically separate units within one rectangular raceway. In this way, solids removal is maximized and floor space is utilized fully. Our system is also designed to be fully portable on a flatbed trailer so that it can be used as an education exhibit around the region.

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade UnB Planaltina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Rural, 2018.
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A aquaponia é um meio de produção agroecológica que agrega as atividades aquícolas e hidropônicas de maneira sinérgica e promove o reuso da água. Além de estar em constante desenvolvimento, assume papel de promotora da produção sustentável, da segurança alimentar e nutricional, assim como, da conservação dos recursos hídricos. Modelos de agroecossistemas que auxiliam no desenvolvimento rural sustentável devem ser difundidos aos agricultores que necessitam de novos métodos produtivos para constituírem renda e se sustentarem. A partir da concepção e implantação de um sistema aquapônico que utiliza tecnologias sociais, visando às produções piscícolas, vegetal e do monitoramento da qualidade da água no sistema, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o crescimento animal e vegetal e da qualidade da água em sistema aquapônico de escala comercial situado no Distrito Federal, durante um período de 45 dias, entre Janeiro e Fevereiro de 2018. Para produção piscícola foi realizada biometria inicial e cada um dos seis tanques de peixes do sistema, de aproximadamente 10m³ de volume, foram povoados com 150 animais, com peso médio (p) de 337,76g, comprimento total (ct) de 26,96cm, comprimento padrão (cp) de 21,75cm e altura do dorso (ad) de 9,15cm e receberam duas alimentações diárias, totalizando 2% do peso vivo/tanque/dia. Para análise do crescimento, forma coletados os mesmos parâmetros em biometria final, após os 45 dias, e comparado os resultados iniciais e finais. Para alimentação foi utilizada ração comercial, de 5mm de granulometria e teor de proteína de 32%. Para a produção vegetal foram utilizadas sementes peletizadas de variedades de alfaces baby leaf, Itaúna Friseé e Atalaia Friseé, cultivadas em espumas fenólicas e isopor, em sistema de flutuação na densidade de 250plantas/m². Foram analisadas a taxa de vigor, no sétimo dia, e a produtividade das plantas ao final do experimento, através dos parâmetros de tamanho de raiz, peso da cabeça, diâmetro e altura da cabeça e número de folhas, além de comparado o crescimento entre as variedades. Para qualidade de água foram coletadas amostras a cada 3 dias em seis elementos do sistema aquapônico, na água da entrada, nos tanques de peixes, após o tratamento biológico, no tanque de transferência de solução nutritiva, na produção vegetal e na água de saída, sendo medidos e analisados os parâmetros de temperatura, pH, oxigênio dissolvido, amônia e nitrito. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados ao longo do período do experimento e os resultados das médias foram comparados com as recomendadas pela literatura, representando a qualidade da água no sistema. Os peixes apresentaram diferenças estatísticas significativas, através do teste t Student pareado, para todos os parâmetros (p = 548,52g; ct = 31,36cm; cp = 25,32cm; ad = 10,85cm) demonstrando crescimento ao longo do experimento. As variedades de alfaces apresentaram crescimento e tiveram diferenças estatísticas significativas em todos os parâmetros analisados a partir do teste t Student pareado, sendo que a variedade Atalaia Friseé apresentou resultados para os parâmetros de comprimento de raiz (cr), altura de cabeça (ac) e diâmetro de cabeça (dc) (cr = 31,81cm; ac = 11,58cm; dc = 11,93cm), maiores de média que de Itaúna Friseé (cr = 22,47cm; ac = 9,84; dc = 10,24cm). Para os parâmetros de peso da cabeça (pc) e número de folhas (nf), Itaúna Friseé (pc = 18,45g; nf = 10,67) apresentou maiores valores de médias que Atalaia (pc = 16,45g; nf = 8,06). A qualidade da água do sistema apresentou resultados compatíveis, em todos os parâmetros, para sistemas aquapônicos em recirculação. O estudo demonstrou que o sistema em tela pode ser disponibilizado como tecnologia social, produzindo peixes e vegetais integrados, diminuindo a utilização de água e evitando despejo de efluentes nos corpos hídricos.
Aquaponics is a means of agroecological production that aggregates aquaculture and hydroponic activities in a seric way and promotes the reuse of water. In addition, the role of promoting sustainable production, food and nutritional security, and the conservation of water resources. Agroecosystems models that support rural development should be disseminated to farmers who need new productive methods to become and sustain themselves. From the choice of an aquatic system, which may have been used for the treatment of plants, fish farming, plant and water quality monitoring system in the system, the animal process is the growth and quality of water in the aquaponic system of commercial scale located in the Federal District, during a period of 45 days, in January and February 2018. For the production of fish culture was carried out the initial biometrics and each of the six fish tanks of the system, of approximately 10m³ of volume, were populated with 150 average weight (w) of 337.76g, total length (tl) of 26.96cm, standard length (sl) of 21.75cm and height of the back (hb) of 9,15cm and two daily feeds, totaling 2% of live weight / tank / day. For analysis of growth, the new parameters in final biometrics, after 45 days, and the results of the initial and final results. Commercial feed, 5mm particle size and 32% protein content were used for feed. For vegetable production, pelleted seeds of baby leaf lettuce, Itaúna Friseé and Atalaia Frizeé, were cultivated in phenolic and styrofoam foams, in a flotation system in the density of 250 plants/m². The vigor rate, on the seventh day, and the plant productivity at the end of the experiment were analyzed through the parameters of root size, head weight, head diameter and head height and number of leaves, as well as the growth between the varieties. For water quality, samples were collected every 3 days in six elements of the aquaponic system, in the entrance water, in the fish tanks, after the biological treatment, in the transfer tank of nutrient solution, in the vegetal production and in the exit water, the parameters of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and nitrite were measured and analyzed. The results obtained were analyzed over the period of the experiment and the results of the averages were compared with those recommended in the literature, representing the water quality in the system. The fish presented significant statistical differences, through the paired Student t test, for all parameters (w = 548.52g; tl = 31.36cm; sl = 25.32cm; hb = 10.85cm), showing growth throughout the experiment. The lettuce varieties presented growth and had statistically significant differences in all parameters analyzed from the paired Student t test, and the Atalaia Friseé variety presented results for the parameters of root length (rl), head height (hl) and head diameter (hd) (rl = 31.81cm; hl = 11.58cm; hd = 11.93cm), higher than that of Itaúna Frizeé (c = 22.47cm; hl = 9.84; hd = 10.24cm). For the parameters of head weight (hw) and leaf number (ln), Itaúna Friseé (hw = 18.45g; ln = 10.67) had higher mean values than Atalaia (hw = 16,45g; ln = 8,06). The water quality of the system presented compatible results in all parameters for aquaponic systems in recirculation. The study demonstrated that the on-screen system can be made available as social technology, producing integrated fish and vegetables, reducing the use of water and avoiding effluent discharge in water bodies.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2011.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-100).
This thesis provides a cash flow analysis of an aquaponics system growing tilapia, perch, and lettuce in a temperate climate utilizing data collected via a case study of an aquaponics operation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Literature regarding the financial feasibility of aquaponics as a business is scant. This thesis determines that in temperate climates, tilapia and vegetable sales or, alternatively, yellow perch and vegetable sales are insufficient sources of revenue for this aquaponics system to offset regular costs when grown in small quantities and when operated as a stand-alone for-profit business. However, it is possible to reach economies of scale and to attain profitability with a yellow perch and lettuce system. Moreover, there may be ways to increase the margin of profitability or to close the gap between income and expense through such things as alternative business models, value adding, procuring things for free, and diversifying revenue streams. Any organization or individual considering an aquaponics operation should conduct careful analysis and planning to determine if profitability is possible and to understand, in the instance that an aquaponics operation is not profitable, if the community and economic development benefits of the system outweigh the costs. Keywords: aquaponics, fish, tilapia, perch, lettuce, farming, closed-loop systems, community development, economic development, cash flow analysis, sustainability, economic viability, hydroponics, recirculating aquaculture systems, integrated aquaculture, integrated agriculture, worker-owned cooperatives, agroecology.
by Elisha R. Goodman.
M.C.P.

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Animais, 2015.
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O presente estudo avaliou uma propriedade particular do em torno de Brasília que utiliza o sistema de aquaponia numa escala pequena de produção. Foi utilizado o método Monte Carlo para estimar a sua viabilidade financeira e a probabilidade do volume de produção e consequentemente avaliar o risco desse empreendimento. Os dados analisados foram os custos fixos e variáveis, receitas e os indicadores de viabilidade financeira que são valor presente líquido (VPL), benefício periódico econômico (BPE) e taxa interna de retorno (TIR). Foram identificadas nessa pesquisa que o custo com a maior participação foi com a aquisição de terra com mais de 60%. Segundo a pesquisa, o empreendimento demonstrou uma probabilidade de 56,69% para gerar uma taxa de VPL, BPE e TIR, respectivamente de R$ 117.784,26, R$ 16.003,11 e 37%. A probabilidade de ocorrência do volume de produção de peixe e planta ser de respectivamente de 1179,44 kg e 731,26 kg foi de 74,43 % e 76,16 %, apresentando uma probabilidade maior que 50%, o que é considerado como mais confiável do que as análises tradicionais. Dessa forma, podemos concluir que é viável economicamente segundo os parâmetros de VPL, que foi maior que zero e a TIR que foi superior à taxa mínima de atratividade. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT
This study evaluated a private property of around Brasilia that uses aquaponics system on a small scale production. We used the Monte Carlo method to estimate their financial viability and the likelihood of the production volume and consequently assess the risk of this venture. The data were fixed and variable costs, revenues and financial viability indicators that are net present value (NPV), equivalent periodic benefit (EPB) and internal rate of return (IRR). They were identified in this study that the cost with the highest participation was with land acquisition over 60%. According to the survey, the project has demonstrated a probability of 56.69% to generate a NPV rate, EPB and IRR respectively R $ 117,784.26 R $ 16,003.11 and 37%. The probability of occurrence of fish and plant production volume be respectively 1,179.44 kg to 731.26 kg was 74.43% and 76.16%, a probability higher than 50%, which is considered more reliable than the traditional analyzes. Thus, we can conclude that it is economically viable according to the NPV of parameters, which was greater than zero and the IRR which was higher than the hurdle rate.

The issue of sustainability has greatest significance in the midst of unilateral bio-socioeconomic degradation resulting from intense and increasing societal pressures placed on the unified global ecology. In such an environment, sustainable development seeks to manage natural resources within a free market economy, aiming to meet the needs of today's population, and to protect and enhance current resource quality and abundance. In this light, techniques of integrated sustainable primary production and wastewater management are the subject matters of this applied research. There are many researchable issues which could be addressed within the subject matter. The first focus in the research scope was driven by the most severe sustainability issue facing Central Queensland (Australia) in 2000: the depletion and degradation of freshwater supplies. Central Queensland (CQ) is an arid sub-tropical region that has suffered from a marked reduction in rainfall and increase in temperature over the last 100 years, {Miles, 2004 #172}, and by the year 2000, conditions had been exacerbated by eight years of severe drought and warmer than average temperatures and resulted in widespread animal and crop failures due to freshwater shortages. Such a problem required a multi-faceted ecological, social, and economic approach. Hence, research centred on investigating the science of integrating regional water-related industries and agribusiness, and biodiverse ecosystems to achieve water and wastewater reuse applications, and associated eco-socioeconomic benefits. Specifically, this research investigates the integration of (a) electrical power station wastewater (b) barramundi culture, (c) red claw culture, (d) constructed wetlands (for water quality management and habitat creation), and (e) hydroponic flower culture. This research produced outcomes of integrated water and wastewater reuse and recycling, marketable agriproducts production (fish, crayfish, and flowers), water and wastewater reuse and conservation, wetland primary production, carbon dioxide sequestration, aquatic pollution control, and biodiversity creation and support. Successful design and management, experimental trialing and evaluation of system components and subjects, and the development of a knowledge base including static and dynamic system models, represent advances in respective research areas, and underpin the emerging discipline of integrated systems approaches to eco-socioeconomic development. Additionally, several gaps in the current body of knowledge regarding integrated systems were filled, and interactive management tools were developed. Apart from this study, the integration of technologies (as described above) has not, to this author's knowledge, been accomplished.

Aquaponics might be one solution to produce food in a more sustainable way in the future. Aquaponics combines aquaculture and hydroponics in a way that the disadvantages of one system become the advantages of the other one. The nutrient rich excess water from the fish tank is used for plant growth, while the plants are used as biofilter to clean the water for the fish. Further closed loops can be created by using plant-residues, sludge and food wastes as raw materials for a biogas digester. With a combined heat and power plant (CHP) the produced methane can be used for heat and electricity production needed by the aquaponics. This report determines if such implementation can lead to reduced overall running costs and which size the aquaponics should have. As example location Sweden is chosen.It shows that the methane demand of a CHP requires a minimum size of the biogas digesters and aquaponics. In the aquaponics at least 50 t of fish have to be bread with a complementing grow bed area of 800 - 900 m2. In total the aquaponics system contains 1000 m3 water. The Energy produced by the CHP will not cover totally the energy demand of the aquaponics-system and should be complement by energy from other sources (e.g. solar cells, wind turbines) if there is no access to a stable external energy supply. Energy produced by the CHP has an average price between 1 - 2.1 kr/kWh. If no CHP is implemented, there is no minimum size required for the aquaponics- and biogas-system and the produced methane can be used for heating and cooking.

Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic animals and plants, is an important component of global food production, which supplies a nutritious protein source for millions of people. Interest in improving the sustainability of aquaculture has led to the development of aquaponics in which fish production is combined with plant production to create zero-discharge systems. A need for more fundamental science and engineering research on marine aquaculture and growing interest in production of halophytes motivated this novel research on marine aquaponics. One objective was to evaluate the growth and nutrient removal capacity of halophytes in marine aquaponics. Bench-scale studies were conducted to determine the best methodology to grow the halophytes sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) and saltwort (Batis maritima). The results indicated these species were important for nitrogen removal and function well under varying conditions of flow rate, species, or plant density. A prototype commercial-scale marine aquaponic system was evaluated through regular collection of water quality and plant growth data over a 9 month period. The system had a total volume of 50 m3 and contained: a swirl separator, uplfow media filter, a moving bed bioreactor, 61.4 m2 of hydroponic growing area, and a sand filter. Water quality parameters measured included: total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and volatile suspended solids (VSS). TAN and nitrite concentrations in the fish tank effluent ranged from 0.04 to 2.42 mg/L TAN and 0.07 to 14.7 mg/L NO2--N, respectively. Nitrate concentrations increased to a maximum of 120 ± 5.7 mg/L NO3--N during the first 119 days of operation. To provide greater control over nitrate concentrations, the sand filter was converted into a downflow submerged packed bed biofilter. This reduced concentrations to a mean of 27.5 ± 13.7 mg/L NO3--N during the last 3 months. Dried plant samples were analyzed for nitrogen and phosphorus content. Nutrient uptake by plants ranged from 0.06 to 0.87 g N/m2/d and 0.01 to 0.14 g P/m2/d. It was estimated 0.55 kg/m2 of plant biomass could be harvested every 28 days. Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were initially stocked at an average weight of 0.047 kg and grew to a harvestable size of 0.91 kg in approximately 12 months. A mass balance indicated that plants contributed to less than 10% of nitrogen and phosphorus removal and passive denitrification was the dominant nitrogen removal process. The second objective was to evaluate the environmental impact of aquaponics through life cycle assessment (LCA). LCAs were completed on freshwater aquaponic systems at commercial- and residential-scales. The system expansion method was used address co-production of 1 ton live-weight fish, recovered solids, plants, and water treatment. The results indicated that aquaponics contributed to significant water savings; however, aquaponics is subject to trade-offs from high energy use and the addition of industrial fish feeds. The methodology developed for freshwater aquaponics was applied to the prototype commercial-scale marine aquaponic system and was compared with two alternative scenarios of maximized plant production and a denitrification reactor with no plant production. The results indicated that a system with a denitrification reactor had the lowest environmental impact. Alternatively in the system with maximized plant production, the use of renewable energy sources would reduce the environmental impact and would contribute to greater water savings, while realizing the economic benefits of dual products. This is the first study to complete an in-depth evaluation of a commercial-scale marine aquaponic system and to evaluate aquaponics using LCA while accounting for the potential environmental offsets of multiple co-products.

The goal of this study was to prove that aquaponic systems can produce lettuce of equal growth and quality compared to hydroponic lettuce production and to determine the stocking density of fish required for plant growth. Aquaponics is the integration of recirculating aquaculture and hydroponic plant production. The project had four objectives. The first objective was to determine the biomass of fish required for plant growth to develop a fish to plant density ratio. The second objective was to compare lettuce grown with aquaponic water and a hydroponic solution under the same environmental conditions. The third objective was to compare the quality of lettuce grown with aquaponics water plus nutrient supplementation with a hydroponic solution. The fourth objective was to determine the nitrogen dynamics in the aquaponic system and to compare the nutrient composition of lettuce grown with aquaponics water with nutrient supplementation and hydroponic solution. It was determined that under the specified environmental conditions 5 kg m⁻³ of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) fed 2% of their body weight daily yields on average 4.7 kg m⁻² of lettuce (L. sativa cv. Rex) in 35 days. There was no significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in biomass or chlorophyll concentration index in lettuce (L. sativa cv. Rex) grown with aquaponics water and nutrient supplements versus a hydroponic solution. The aquaponics solution generated equal biomass and chlorophyll concentration indexes compared to the hydroponic solution. Aquaponics water plus supplementation can yield L. sativa cv. Rex with equal biomass accumulation and chlorophyll concentration indexes compared to hydroponics lettuce. Nutrients added to the aquaponics system consisted of iron, manganese, and zinc. These nutrient concentrations became depleted in the aquaponics water over time and were not replenished via the fish feed. Dolomite was added to the aquaponics system every two weeks to increase the buffering capacity of the water and maintain optimal pH levels. Aquaponics lettuce had similar nutrient composition to hydroponic lettuce. One head of L. sativa cv. Rex (176.75 ± 31.03) will assimilate approximately 5.96 grams of nitrogen (3.38% per dry gram lettuce). One kilogram of fish will yield 6.4 lettuce heads (1,128 grams) and fixate 38.13 grams of nitrogen.

This thesis aims to demonstrate that the world system of agriculture is not functioning at optimum capacity to nourish the world's population properly. Due to the author's passion about Brazil, it will focus on that area, although it can be applicable to many other world regions. The core intent is to offer aquaponics as an alternative agriculture system that is viable in the developing world, and in particular Brazil. This thesis also serves as a proposal for the continuation of the research and development of the theory that aquaponics is a viable tool for sustainable community development.

This study involves tracing inputs, partitioning, and outputs of phosphorus (P) through an aquaponics system. A mathematical model was developed to describe the dynamics of phosphorus in an aquaponics nutrient solution, and to maximize P use efficiency and minimize P waste. We assessed the influence of pH on the availability and speciation of phosphorus in an aquaponics nutrient solution. By using Visual MINTEQ, a freeware chemical equilibrium model for the calculation of element speciation, solubility equilibria, and sorption for natural waters, it was discovered that high pH values favor the formation of calcium phosphate complexes, decreasing the concentration of free phosphorus in aquaponics nutrient solutions. In addition, the mineralization of organic phosphorus in aquaponics systems was evaluated using treatments with phytase supplementation to fish diets, and incorporation of a microbial inoculant in the aquaponics nutrient solution. Overall, dietary phytase and microorganisms promoted phosphorus mineralization and enhanced phosphorus utilization in aquaponics systems. In the end, we conclude that aquaponics systems can keep the same growth performance and quality of vegetable crops grown in conventional systems when the availability and dynamics of phosphorus are well managed.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the techno-economic feasibility of operating an aquaponics farm in South Africa. Aquaculture is the fastest-growing type of food production in the world, yet South Africa is lagging behind international efforts to boost the industry. An independent academic feasibility study on small scale aquaponics farms in South Africa has not been performed before, causing current and prospective farmers to be uncertain about the prospects of the venture. The study is approached by investigating the aquaculture and aquaponics industry and gathering the relevant information. By investigating other models used to represent aquaculture or aquaponics systems, the required information is gathered in order to build a unique model for the purpose of determining the feasibility of the case study farms. The model is modified to represent each of the case study farms. The results show that the majority of the farms are not economically viable. A sensitivity analysis provides some insight on how varying certain parameters can affect the performance of the systems. Using the information gathered in the case studies and research, a near-ideal system is specified in order to establish whether this improved system can be viable whilst taking into account the constraints placed upon aquaponics ventures in South Africa. The study suggests some recommendations for current and prospective farmers that might improve their chances of succeeding with an aquaponics venture. The study finds that currently aquaponics in South Africa is hindered by a number of constraints that result in it being a high-risk venture with meagre returns on investment. However, the study shows that if an aquaponics system were designed, built and managed correctly, it could theoretically be an economically viable venture. The investigation has, in a logical method, provided insight into the viability of operating an aquaponics farm in South Africa.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om die lewensvatbaarheid van akwaponika in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek. Akwakultuur is die tipe voedselproduksie wat die vinnigste groei in die wêreld, maar Suid-Afrika hou nie tred met die internasionale poging om akwakultuur te ontwikkel nie. „n Onafhanklike lewensvatbaarheid studie oor kleinskaal akwaponika plase in Suid-Afrika is nog nooit onderneem nie. Dit veroorsaak dat huidige en voornemende akwaponika boere onseker is oor die uitkomste van hulle ondernemings. Die studie is benader deur die akwaponika en akwakultuur bedrywe te ondersoek, en die relevante inligting te versamel. Deur ander modelle wat gebruik word om akwakultuur en akwaponika sisteme te verteenwoordig te ondersoek, is die nodige inligting versamel om „n unieke model te bou wat gebruik word om die lewensvatbaarheid van die gevallestudies te bepaal. Die model is aangepas om elkeen van die gevallestudies te verteenwoordig. Die resultate wys dat die meerderheid van die gevallestudie plase nie ekonomies lewensvatbaar is nie. „n Sensitiwiteitsanaliese gee insig oor hoe spesifieke parameters die prestasie van die sisteme affekteer. Deur die inligting wat versamel is tydens die gevallestudies en navorsing te gebruik, kan „n sisteem gespesifiseer word om te bevestig of hierdie verbeterde sisteem lewensvatbaar kan wees terwyl dit die beperkings waaronder akwaponika sisteme in Suid Afrika geplaas word in ag neem. Die studie verskaf „n paar aanbevelings vir huidige en voornemende boere. Hierdie aanbevelings kan die kanse van sukses van die ondernemings verbeter. Die studie het gevind dat akwaponika in Suid-Afrika deur „n aantal beperkings benadeel word, wat lei tot „n situasie waar dit „n hoë-risiko onderneming is, met lae opbrengste op die belegging. Maar, die studie wys ook dat as „n sisteem korrek ontwerp, bou en bestuur word, dit teoreties „n ekonomies lewensvatbare onderneming kan wees. Die studie het op „n logiese wyse insig gegee oor die haalbaarheid van akwaponika in Suid-Afrika.

The reutilization of waste products is an important matter where world view is focusing. The most common liquid waste is waste water coming from organic processes that carries an overdose of organic compounds, usually nontoxic. Traditionally this organic contaminants have been ignored and just pumped out to the environment, or in the best case neutralized into less contaminant forms. But during the past years eutrophication (overfertilization of aquatic ecosystems) has led to many environmental problems, pushing forward more active measures for removing such contaminants from water. One of the most promising ways of doing it is aquaponics, a soilless crop growing that uses waste water as fertilizer, solving two big problems: it cleans the waste water coming from fish factories and reduces the consume of fertilizer which is a product harmful to the environment in its production and use. This farming technique is really young but is gaining more popularity each year. This work is the study of the viability of implementing an aquaponics waste water treatment in a future fish farm in Oulu, on the north of Finland. Finland is a country with hard conditions for producing vegetables so most of them are imported. All the efforts made into not relying so much in external imports are welcomed and aquaponics was one of the options taken into account when deciding how the waste water cleaning process would be. The calculus process has been made step by step stating from the desired fish production and from there calculating how much vegetables would be produced and the amount of space it takes. In the economic aspect, it has been proved that the factor that caused most of the costs was the weather, as Oulu has a subpolar climate that is not mitigated enough for being a coastal city. The main result of the study has been that aquaponics does not report profits, being the artificial light the most expensive factor. Heat costs can be mitigated importing waste heat from another factories of the area like paper factories, but vegetables need artificial light in winter that has proven to be too much expensive for the benefits the vegetables reported. The study can be used as a basis for other aquaponics studies as it sets a system easy to follow for calculating the different parameters that appear in aquaponics. Also, it stays as an evidence that aquaponics can be hard of implement in extreme weather and other systems may be needed.

In the summer of 2016 I worked at The Moore Street Market Farm run by Oko Farms LLC., New York City’s first and largest outdoor urban aquaponics company. Aquaponics is a method of farming that combines the cultivation of aquatic animals and plants in a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship. While the industry is in its infancy, aquaponics is acknowledged to have great potential to change the future of farming for sustainability, as it uses less water than traditional agriculture and can be implemented almost anywhere. This thesis examines current challenges to the industry and the potential future applications of aquaponics in urban environments, through discussion of current developments in aquaponics in Europe; Growing Power’s use of aquaponics for community benefit in the Milwaukee; as well as in the case-studies of Oko Farms and Agtech aquaponics companies in New York City. While eventually concluding that implementations of aquaponics for profit might not be viable in the long run, this thesis ends with a short discussion on hypothetical successful applications the industry could thrive in.

The interaction between the main ions in aquaponics nutrient solutions affects chemical composition and availability of nutrients, and nutrient uptake by plant roots. This study determined the effect of pH on phosphorus (P) speciation and availability in an aquaponics nutrient solution and used Visual MINTEQ to simulate P species and P activity. In both experimental and simulated results, P availability decreased with increase in pH of aquaponics nutrient solutions. According to simulations, P binds to several cations leaving less free phosphate ions available in solution. High pH values resulted in the formation of insoluble calcium phosphate species. The study also demonstrated the importance of organic matter and alkalinity in keeping free phosphate ions in solution at high pH ranges. It is recommended though that pH in aquaponics systems is maintained at a 5.5-7.2 range for optimal availability and uptake by plants. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Plant growth promoters (PGP) are microorganisms essential for sustainable food production systems by improving the productivity of crops and mitigating environmental impacts. Microorganisms enhance the P availability to plants by mineralizing organic P and solubilizing precipitated phosphates. This work is focused on the effect of inoculation of a commercial product containing a mixture of Bacillus spp. on hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa) integrated with tilapia (Orechromis niloticus) aquaculture in a closed-loop system, in comparison with an untreated control. We determined plant growth and crop quality parameters to assess the efficacy of the beneficial microorganisms. A nutrient dynamics analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of Bacillus inoculation on the changes of nutrient concentration in aquaponics solutions, as well as the phosphorus accumulation in several components (fish, plants, water and solids). We performed a plate-count assay to quantify the number microorganisms present in systems inoculated or not with the commercial Bacillus mixture. In general, nutrient dynamics was affected by the inclusion of the Bacillus mixture in the water. Systems that received the product showed faster decreases in ammonia concentration and faster increase in nitrite and nitrate concentrations than the control. The untreated aquaponics systems showed lower accumulation of phosphorus in the water than systems receiving the Bacillus mixture, which resulted in poor plant growth, low phosphorus accumulation in the leaves and low chlorophyll content. However, the mass balance analysis showed that an external source of phosphorus possibly contributed to the overall P budget in systems receiving the Bacillus mixture. The microbial plate count assay demonstrated an active microbiota in aquaponics systems receiving the treatment while untreated systems showed zero microbial counts. The Bacillus mixture used in the present study appears to have PGP properties and to affect P dynamics in aquaponics systems. However, since the product contained traces of phosphorus in its composition, further analysis will be necessary to distinguish whether the advantageous effects promoted by the Bacillus occurred as a result of a beneficial microbial activity or a fertilizing effect. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane proteins that facilitate the movement of water molecules across biological membrane by osmosis. Green fluorescent protein-tagged aquaporin 4 relocalized to the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells in response to reduced tonicity and this phenomenon was reproduced for endogenous AQP4 in primary astrocyte cultures. The mechanism was dependent on phosphorylation at serine-276 by PKA and required activation of CaM. AQP4 knockout animals are protected from brain edema so pharmacologically modulating the subcellular localization of AQP4 may provide a platform for an alternative or complementary approach to hyperosmotic solution based edema therapies. Using the same methodology, we also describe some of the factors controlling AQP5 plasma membrane abundance. AQPs have a signature aromatic/arginine (ar/R) motif that is thought to aid in solute selectivity. Mutants of AQP4 in this region permitted the passage of small solutes differently to AQP1, questioning the validity of a generalized model of AQP solute exclusion. Furthermore, the relative selectivity for glycerol and urea of AQPs could be modulated independently of the physical size of the Ar/R region, suggesting that lack of solute exclusion and solute selectivity are not the same thing. AQPs retain homotetrameric quaternary structures, but the structural basis and functional relevance of this assembly is not known. Mutants of an intracellular loop of AQP4 had reduced ability to form tetramers and, despite no change in constitutive levels of membrane localization or water permeability, had reduced capacity to relocalize in response to hypotonicity.

Aquaporin proteins significantly increase water permeability across tissues and cell membranes. Ocular tissues, including the trabecular meshwork (TM) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), are especially reliant on aquaporin mediated water movement for ocular homeostasis. Even though bulk fluid movement is paracellular through the TM and transcellular through the RPE, both express aquaporin-1 (AQP1). The role and regulation of AQP1 as it relates to homeostasis in different ocular tissues is not well understood. I hypothesized that ocular tissues respond to external mechanical and molecular cues by altering AQP1 expression and function in order to regulate ocular fluid movement and maintain homeostasis.To test how AQP1 function is altered in response to external cues in order to maintain tissue-specific homeostasis, I addressed the following two aims. The first aim was directed at determining how mechanical strain, an external stimulus that routinely affects TM function, influences AQP1 expression and TM homeostasis. Primary cultures of human TM were subjected to static and cyclic stretch and then analyzed for changes in AQP1 expression by western blot and cell damage by activity of lactate dehydrogense (LDH) in conditioned media. The results show AQP1 expression and LDH release significantly increased with static stretch. Analysis of LDH release with respect to AQP1 expression revealed an inverse linear relationship (r² = 0.7780).The second aim was directed at characterizing signaling mechanisms responsible for regulating fluid transport in RPE, previously shown to be dependent upon AQP1. I treated primary cultures of human RPE with either atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) or 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) in the presence or absence of Anantin (ANP-receptor inhibitor) or H-8 (Protein Kinase G inhibitor). The results show that ANP and 8-Br-cGMP significantly increased apical to basal net fluid movement (p < 0.05, n = 3). Inhibition of these effects was successful with Anantin treatment but not with application of H-8.The data presented demonstrate a novel role of protection for AQP1 in TM, and also expand upon cGMP dependent regulation of RPE fluid transport. The combined studies indicate tissue specific AQP1 regulation may offer new avenues to target water movement in treatment of ocular pathologies.

Introduction. The glial cell water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) plays an important ro le in brain oedema, astrocyte migration and neuronal excitability. Current theories of AQP4 function are based largely on experiments using AQP4 -1- mice. These mice have only been partially characterized. I therefore undertook a detailed investigation of baseline brain properties in AQP4 -1- mice. In the second part of my experiments I investigated the role of AQP4 in brain oedema in a mouse model of subarachnoid haemorrhage. Method. Gross anatomical measurements included estimates of brain and ventricle size. Neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were assessed using the neuronal nuclear marker NeuN, the astrocyte marker GFAP, and the myelin stain Luxol Fast Blue. The blood brain barrier was studied by electron microscopy and the horseradish peroxidase extravasation technique. A mouse model in which 30~1 of autologous blood was injected into the basal cisterns was used to reproduce subarachnoid haemorrhage. Brain water content, intracranial pressure and neurological score were compared in wildtype and AQP4 -/- mice. I also measured blood brain barrier permeability and the osmotic permeability of the glia lim itans, one of the routes of oedema elimination.

Energetická náročnost a ekonomická životaschopnost jsou často skloňované pojmy spojené s aquaponickým způsobem produkce potravin. Tato práce si klade za cíl nalézt opatření, která by zvýšila ziskovost podnikání v oblasti aquaponie a zároveň by snížila energetickou náročnost procesu a spotřebu dalších zdrojů. Součástí práce je následné ověření vybraných opatření na zkušební aquaponické farmě. K vyřešení otázky úspory energie a vody byly použity optimalizační metody vycházející z procesního inženýrství. Pro účely automatického monitoringu růstu rostlin, jakožto hlavního zdroje příjmů v aquaponii, byla využita technologie počítačového vidění. Za využití optimalizační metody zvané P-graph, integrace procesů a hledání procesních alternativ bylo nalezeno nejlepší možné uspořádání procesní sítě, které vykazovalo více než devítinásobný čistý roční příjem ve srovnání se současným uspořádáním procesních zařízení v aquaponické farmě. Dalších úspor energie a vody bylo dosaženo instalací reflexních fólií na okraje pěstebních boxů a dalším využitím odpadní vody z aquaponické části farmy v hydroponické sekci určené k pěstování sazenic. Tato opatření mohou napomoci aquaponickým farmám zvýšit konkurenceschopnost a snížit jejich dopad na životní prostředí.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane channel proteins which facilitate rapid water transport across cell membranes. It is believed these channels are involved in many physiological processes including renal water conservation, neuro-homeostasis, digestion, regulation of body temperature and reproduction. At least 11 mammalian AQPs (AQP0 – AQP10) have been identified to date, making them potential therapeutic targets for drug intervention. Initial studies have shown that Hg²⁺ irreversibly blocks water transport in AQP-1 by the formation of a mercaptide covalent bond with cysteine residue 189 deep within the pore. AQP-1 function can also be modified by tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) (100 μM), which reversibly blocks water permeability in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with AQP-12 and AQP-2 by 44 ± 11% and 49 ± 18% respectively. However, a specific reversible AQP inhibitor has so far not been reported. A 2.2 Å high resolution crystal structure of Escherichia coli glycerol facilitator (G1pF) was employed as a model for water transport through AQP-1. A number of compound libraries, based on the lead compounds of glycerol and TEA have been synthesised using a range of automated techniques. Several of these compounds have been screened as putative aquaplugs on Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with AQP-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Initial results suggest that it is possible to selectively block water throughput I AQP-1, using dimethyl ethyl hexadecanyl ammonium bromide (100 μM), by 80 ± 7% and AQP-2, using dimethyl ethyl decanyl ammonium bromide (100 μM), by 58 ± 16%. To our knowledge these are the first known selective blockers of AQP-1 and 2. These results have provided the basis to develop more focused lead compound optimisation which in turn should establish further qualitative structure-activity-relationship data to aid in our understanding of the mechanisms associated with water transport throughout the AQP family.

碩士
國立屏東科技大學
土壤與水工程國際碩士學位學程
105
Applying aquaponics for different purposes have received much attention in recent years due to low-cost eco-technology, which provide significant economic benefits. Many studies have solved some scientific aspects of this technology; almost focus on productivity and commercial implementation. However, there is still a lack of the quality water research to support the development of aquaponics system. In this thesis, opportunities that have the potential to fill this gap have been identified by the monitoring of water quality parameters. An experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of water recycling in different development stages of tomato plants such as initial (S1), development (S2), mid-season (S3) and late season (S4). The tomato plants were cultivated on the floating bed with baked clay. A sturgeon tank and a hydroponics tank were connected by plastic pipes, 1-way valves, pumps and water freezers. The special instruments were established in inlet and outlet of sturgeon tank to detect parameters such as temperature, pH value, DO (dissolved oxygen), NH4+ (ammonium concentration) and EC (electrical conductivity). The system revealed an advantage, which the other conventional methods still have limited being water temperature control. Results indicated sturgeon and tomatoes can survive and well grow around 21.6oC. NH4+ concentration was reduced by 96.15% after the absorbing process of the tomato roots. Although DO was not reclaimed higher after hydroponics tank due to a lack of the light access the tomato's roots, sturgeons were still fully provided oxygen via an air blow machine. The pH value maintained in arrange of 6.68 – 7.31 during the process being an evident to illustrate insignificant fluctuation about the life media of the organisms. Absorbing the toxic ion of the tomato roots contributed to improve water quality. An average reduction 78.72 µs/cm EC of the water after passing the tomato tank was recorded. Although the study achieved certain success, a perfect conclusion has yet to be shown by using recycled water. However, this thesis is definitely background for the future studies. Aquaponics are needed to research continuously to diversify treatment and recycled methodologies for sturgeon’s wastewater.

碩士
逢甲大學
環境工程與科學學系
106
Research records data related to small-scale aquaponic systems applied on two pilot models, Floating bed systems (FBS) and Media Filled Systems (MFS), for effective testing as well as assessment. Aquaculture wastewater treatment in two different models but the same use as a source of fish's wastewater through plants in two sub-aquaponic systems FBS and MFS. Aquaponic is a bioreactor that combines the process of fish farming and use of plants to recycle wastewater, which is combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. Experiments were conducted at Fengchia University and tested on fish called Eel’s scientific name (Mastacembelidae) and Water spinach very popular vegetable in Taiwan. Water spinach were tested simultaneously on them two system (MFS, FBS) to evaluate water quality in each system and then compare water quality in all three models after water treatment systems in MFS, FBS, and fish tanks of each system, indicating the advantages and disadvantages of each system. The physical parameter as DO, pH, temperature, COD, BOD and chemical parameter NO2-N, NO3-N, NH3-N and PO4-P are evaluated in each system over a period of 75 days. Firstly, All of these systems showed that. Even though the fish are kept in tanks condition they still show good growth and development, systems do not affect the growth and development of fish and plants. Water quality is according to international standards DO, pH, temperature, COD, BOD is 7.13 mg/L, 7.64, 25,8 degree c, 606 µs/ cm , 6.41 mg/L, 3.41 mg/L and NO2-N, NO3-N, NH3-N and PO4-P is 2.15 mg/L, 1.97 mg/L, 2.08 mg/L, 0.6 mg/L. The average weight of fish is 30g which is 40% higher than the original weight. Average yield of 45.5 grams per plants showed that the system yielded satisfactory results. Secondly, the water quality in the two MFS and FBS systems showed an improvement in nutrient concentrations of the water, after plant's operation began to grow specific data as follows. In the Media filled systems (MFS) water quality parameters were reduced for 75 days DO, pH, BOD, COD, NO2-N, NO3-N, NH3-N, and PO4-P is 7.0 mg/L, 7.31, 4.66 mg/L, 6.86 mg/L 1.31 mg/L, 1.1 mg/L, 1.42 mg/L, and 0.41 mg/L and Floating bed systems (FBS) were also shown DO, pH, BOD, COD, NO2-N, NO3-N, NH3-N, and PO4-P were 6.88 mg/l, 7.46, 4.81 mg/L, 6.88 mg/L , 1.95 mg/L, 1.47 mg/L, 1.48 mg/L, 0.48 mg/L. Two systems are effective in improving water quality. However, in MFS system is more efficient than the FBS system. This can be evidenced by yield of vegetables as well as the quality of the water. Currently, assessed by its ability to remove ammonia and minimize the generation of nitrate have a little studied. For better further results, aquaponics is needed for studying more.

碩士
國立嘉義大學
水生生物科學系研究所
106
This study studied the effects of biofloc technology into an aquaponic system. The monitoring items include water quality, growth of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and harvest of lettuce (Lettuce sativa). The aquaponic system consisted of fish tank, filtration tank, and hydroponic tank. Molasses was routinely added into the filtration tank to maintaining biofloc in the aquaponic system for six week. Suspended solids levels were used for accounting the biofloc contains in the aquaponic system. The results showed that the suspended solids in the treatment of aquaponic were significantly higher than the control (p<0.05). Adding molasses the aquaponic system efficiently reduced the concentrations of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, total phosphorus, and phosphorus. and the removal efficiency of nitrogen were 7.6 times higher than control, but reversely increased levels of turbidity and biochemical oxygen demand. No significant differences were found on growth rates, final weights, and survival rates of tilapia, and also harvests of lettuce between the biofloc treatment and the control. This study indicates the application of biofloc in the aquaponic system improved parts of water quality, but having no effects on growth and harvest of the fish and the plant.

碩士
逢甲大學
建築碩士在職學位學程
105
In response to the global warming caused by climate changes in recent years, frequent drought and floods, lace of crop production, food security and food safety problems in Taiwan could form a considerable crisis. And in recent years, people living in urban environments use the surroundings, roofs and terraces to produce crops and integrate fish and aquaculture cultivation to form aquaponic system. It has become a trend to achieve bilateral productions to provide for people's lives. The purposes of the study were to develop a new plant wall structure system with designed circulating the water supply system, regardless whether it was hydroponic or soil cultivation. This study was based on the literature review, the current patented planted wall and my personal experiences to modify and transform the existing pots into a new pot form. The experimental site was situated on the east-side terrace of the 8th floor of Chung-chin Building in FCU. For conducting the action research in summer water spinach and Fuzhou lettuce test, in winter Hongyan red tip lettuce and golden cabbage and in spring red crepe lettuce, ice-berg lettuce combining with fishes growing were used to test the system in order to obtain the best combination of the whole system. According to the experimental results lettuce, water spinach and other leafy crops could be harvested in 3 to 4 weeks, but the golden cabbage due to lack of nutrients leading to poor growth and resulted in not being able to form a ball. Through the action research to adjust the system it finally reach a near perfect condition. According to the research results there was no limit on plants growth during the winter but the high nutrient demanding crops was not suitable for using in aquaponic system. In conclusion for equipping an auqaponic system to cultivate crops it needs to calculate the size of the pool, number of fishes, filter equipment and motor specifications depending on the extent of site and the crop plant numbers in order to have the best harvest of crops and fishes.

碩士
國立成功大學
工程科學系
103
SUMMARY The primary research purpose of this study is to promote the environmental protection by the aquaponics system using different designs with the LED light source, natural light, and water flows on growth for culturing different plants. Experiments included three different irrigation water cycle systems, Overflow A system, Overflow B system, and Floating Raft system. Experimental results revealed that with the conditions of LED light intensity being fixed to 210 μmole･m-2･s-1 and of adding wastewater of Earthworm for fertilization, both basil and ettuce grow well in the Overflow A and B system. Similarly, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, water spinach, basil, Chrysanthemum, and rape grow successfully in the B overflow systems. In the Floating Raft system with natural light, however, the growing situation is not good due to insufficient nutrients, even though plant roots grow better than those by the LED light source. Keywords: Aquaponics System, Overflow, Floating Raft, light-emitting diode, earthworm. INTRODUCTION The study is motivated by the green awareness of society. The traditional agricultural irrigation contains a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer with phosphorus which can cause pollution of nearby lakes. It also consumes a large amount of water. In contrast, the ebb-and-flow system irrigation for plant cultivation can reduce 50% to 65 % usage of pesticides, 85% of wastewater, and 50% usage of chemical fertilizers. Further, by combining fish and plant production together in an integrated recirculating system, referred to as aquaponics system, can effectively improve the utilization efficiency of water and reduce the usage of fertilizers and pesticides. Therefore, we designed three different recirculating irrigation systems for the aqauponics, using light-emitting diodes and natural light as the light sources, to evaluate theirs merits. MATERIALS AND METHODS All components are bought from the general stores. For the three systems, the first one is for comparing the effect of different LED light sources and water quality on the plant growth of the aquaponic system. The second one is for comparing the effect of different water quality on the plant growth of the aquaponic, using single type LED light source. The third one is for exploring the effect of natural light and different water quality on the plant growth of the aquaponic system. The features of the three different lights source are Y-LED light (intensity of 210 μmole･m-2･s-1), W-LED light (intensity of 210 μmole･m-2･s-1), and natural light. The Y LED and W LED are different light qualities but same micromole. Three irrigation methods include overflow A system, overflow B system, and floating raft system. Water pump supplies automated water circulation in which the water level is adjusted growth of different irrigation methods on plants. The overflow A system has a total of six experimental groups with Tilapia polyculture Macrobrachium rosenbergii, the overflow B system has a total of three experimental groups with Comet goldfish polyculture Colored skirt tetra and Tetra Xiphophorus maculatus, the floating raft system has a total of two experimental groups with Cyprinus carpio. The plant cultivation period is from five to eight weeks. During the period, the water quality is sampled every seven days to monitor pH (PH5011, EZDO, Taiwan) and electrical current (EC) (EC5061, EZDO, Taiwan), Ammonia (NH3-N) (Fresh water master test kit, API, US), Nitrite Nitrogen (NO_2^( -)-N) (Fresh water master test kit, API, US), Nitrate Nitrogen (NO_3^( -)-N) (Fresh water master test kit, API, US); every month the measurements of Ammonia, Nitrite Nitrogen, Nitrate Nitrogen are verified by U2001 (Hitachi, Japan) to assure the water quality. Furthermore the water quality is sampled each month and monitored for Dissolved Oxygen (DO) (YSI5000,YSI, US), Calcium (Ca) (Z8200,Hitachi, Japan), Carbon (C) ( 1010 TOC Analyzer, OI Analytical's, US), and Iron (Fe) (Z8200,Hitachi, US). The dry weight and nitrate concentration (U2001, Hitachi, Japan) of the plants are measured at the end of each experiment. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Overflow A system is set up in an indoor environment and has six experimental groups. The results of plant growth and water quality are as follows. 1. Period of Initial system After eight weeks of cultivating time, all plants can not grow effectively due to low EC of around 0.3~1.0 mS/cm in the aquaponic system, even though with adequate lighting. The water pH of water is around 7.8~8.3. 2. EC and number of fish The use of increased eight Tilapia were upgrade to EC, After five weeks cultivating time, the results showed that all plants could not effectively grow due to pH is too high, resulting in nutrients can not be dissolved in water, even though enough adequate lighting. In the case of a water quality parameter, pH of water is around 8.1~7.9 and EC of water was around 1.2~1.7 mS/cm in the aquaponic system. 3. pH and Nitrification By nitrification to reduce pH, after six weeks of cultivating time, all plants still can not grow effectively even though enough adequate lighting due to LED light quality and plant types as different plants require different light quality and nutrients. The water pH is around 7.2~7.8 while EC is around 1.7~1.9 mS/cm in the aquaponic system. NH3-N of water is around 8~4 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 2~1.44 mg/L, and NO_3^( -)-N of water around 80~116 mg/L in the aquaponic system. 4. Different LED light source and plant species By using different LEDs and by cultivating many types of plants, after five weeks of cultivating time, all plants still can not grow effectively grow due to competition of nutrients, even though with adequate lighting. The pH of water is around 7.1~7.4, EC around 1.8~1.5 mS/cm, DO being 7.0 mg/L, NH3-N around 0.25~1.79 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 0.5~1 mg/L, and NO_3^( -)-N around 80~74 mg/L in the aquaponic system. 5. Reduce plant density Reducing the number of plants and after five weeks of cultivating time, all plants can not grow effectively due to lack of iron and calcium, even though enough adequate lighting. The pH of water is around 7.2~7.5, EC around 1.5~1.4 mS/cm, Fe being 0 mg/L, Ca being 31.5 mg/L, NH3-N around 0.5~0.25 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 2~1 mg/L, and NO_3^( -)-N around 80~45 mg/L in the aquaponic system. 6. Use Earthworm wastewater to grow plants successfully Adding Earthworm wastewater to the plants at night and after eight weeks of cultivating time, Lettuce and Basil grow effectively grow as Earthworms wastewater contains enough Iron and Calcium. The pH of water is around 7.2~7.4, EC around 1.8~1.5 mS/cm, C (?) being 0 mg/L, NH3-N around 0.25~1 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 1~0.5 mg/L and NO_3^( -)-N around 40~69.7 mg/L in the aquaponic system. Overflow B system has three experimental groups and the results are as follows. 1. Period of initial system After seven weeks of cultivating time, except Chinese cabbage, other plants can not grow effectively due to lack of iron and calcium, even though enough adequate lighting. The pH of water is around 8.3~7.8, EC 0.3~1.0 mS/cm, NH3-N 8~0.25 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 14.91~0.25 mg/L and NO_3^( -)-N around 20~80 mg/L in the aquaponic system. 2. Use earthworm wastewater to grow plants successfully By adding earthworm wastewater to the plants at night, after eight weeks of cultivating time, Lettuce, Chinese cabbage, Garland chrysanthemum, Water spinach, and Basil grow effectively. The pH of water is around 6.8~6.9, EC around 1.0~0.9 mS/cm, Fe being 0 mg/L (?) and Ca being 31.8mg/L, NH3-N around 0.2~1 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 2~1mg/L and NO_3^( -)-N around 34.2~40mg/L in the aquaponic system. 3. Use earthworm wastewater to grow plants successfully By adding earthworm wastewater at night and after eight weeks of cultivating time, Cole, Water spinach and Lettuce grow effectively. the pH of water is around 6.8~6.7 and EC around 1.0~0.9 mS/cm, Fe being 0 mg/L, Ca being 10.69 mg/L, NH3-N around 1.15~0.25 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 0.25~0.5mg/L, and NO_3^( -)-N around 23.26~80 mg/L in the aquaponic system. Floating raft system has two experimental groups for the plant growth as follows. 1. Period of Initial system In the outdoor environment with natural light, after five weeks of cultivating time, the results show that plants can not grow effectively due to nutrient deficiencies in the water, even though enough adequate lighting. The pH of water is around 8.8~8.6, EC around 0.3~0.5 mS/cm, Fe being 0.13 mg/L, Ca being 12.57 mg/L, NH3-N around 0.25 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 0.25~0.24 mg/L, and NO_3^( -)-N around 10~20 mg/L in the aquaponic system. 2. Light shielding in water spinach By partially shielding the natural light, after five weeks of cultivating time, the plants can not grow effectively due to nutrient deficiency as described above. The pH of water is around 8.6~8.8, EC around 0.5~0.4 mS/cm, Fe being 0.12mg/L, Ca being 6.50 mg/L, NH3-N around 0.25~0.1 mg/L, NO_2^( -)-N around 0.25~0.01 mg/L, and NO_3^( -)-N around 10~0.82mg/L in the aquaponic system. CONCLUSION The results show that earthworm wastewater and light intensity are important factors of growing plant in a recirculating aquaculture system. After testing, at least the light intensity needs to be 210 µmole･m-2･s-1 in order to make photosynthesis in Chinese cabbage, Lettuce, Basil, Chrysanthemum, and Water Spinach. Both overflow A and B circulating irrigation systems can provide enough oxygen content for Tilapia and goldfish for their successful living in the apuaponics system. In addition, the nitrate concentration of the successfully cultivated plants meets the standard regulated by the European Commission No. 563/2002.

碩士
國立成功大學
工程科學系碩士在職專班
106
This Thesis aims to construct a low-light indoor aquaponics system, where sunlight is substituted by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of low light intensity (under 27.5 μmol/m2s) along with red LEDs as a compensation light source. The Taguchi experiment method with four control factors of light irradiation (A), photoperiod (B), lightcover (C), and irrigation system (D) was used in the design of experiment. The harvest outcome of romaine lettuce with its price being compared with that in the retailed market is used to validate the benefit of the present system. The optimum combination of the control factors is A2 (6W30D+3R20D), B3 (an eighteen-hour daylight period,), C2 (the lightcover with the aluminum foil of bright surface), and D1 (the flood and drain system, FAD, without potting mixes). Note: 6W indicates six white LEDs, 3R means three red LEDs, 6R represents six red LEDs, and D denotes the number of days for cultivation). That is, the FAD system without potting mixes, the lightcover with the aluminum foil of bright surface of 88% reflectivity around the planting pots, the photoperiod of 18/6hrs day-night cycle with six white LEDs for a thirty-day period, plus additional six red LEDs for compensation for ten days after the twentieth day can reach the favorable retailed price of less than NTD 180/per kilogram.

碩士
國立勤益科技大學
冷凍空調系
98
This study is aimed at exploring the feasibility of applying renewable energy to post-modern agriculture. This research utilized solar PV system and DC driver high-efficiency water pumps to set up hydroponics and aquaponics, which is a symbiotic cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a reciprocity environment. This study shows that the electrical equipment and the environment control technology adopted in the aquaponic system are economical. The experiment data shows that , with hydroponics and auqaponics, energy is saved, ecological equilibrium is maintained and resources are reused.

Facing challenges for increasing demands for agricultural land, water, and energy, aquaponics has emerged as a sustainable solution that can contribute to global food production while minimizing environmental impacts. In a recirculating aquaponic system, the waste produced by aquatic animals is processed through microbes and breaks down into compounds for plant uptake. By recycling nutrients and water between hydroponics and aquaculture systems, aquaponics can reduce the waste of fish feeds and the use of chemical fertilizers and use 90-99% less water than conventional aquaculture. However, a few studies reported that nutrient use efficiency is still low in aquaponics, and only 10-37% and 20-30% of nitrogen (N) is typically assimilated by plants and fish, respectively. Yield reduction is commonly reported for plants in aquaponics. Due to the unique water physical and chemical environment, the microbiomes are more diverse in aquaponics than in hydroponics. While the most important microbial group is considered nitrifying bacteria, Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrobacter spp. mediating the N conversion process from ammonia into nitrate, some plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in soils were found in aquaponics indicating their important function in the system. Meanwhile, the use of aquaculture wastewater can introduce and promote the growth of harmful microbial pathogens, posing a food safety concern.

The goal of this research is to investigate the effects of microbiomes in aquaponic systems. A series of studies were conducted to examine the effects of different bacterial groups on food crop yield and quality and investigate the potential risk of contamination with enteric pathogens in aquaponic systems. The specific objectives are: to 1) examine whether enteric pathogens present in aquaponics and hydroponics; 2) investigate the effects of plant age and root damage on internalization of STEC E. coli in leafy vegetables and herbs. 3) examine the effects of pH on the plant yield in aquaponics; and 4) investigate the effects of PGPB on lettuce in aquaponics and hydroponics3. The data obtained from this research will fill the knowledge gap and provide new management strategies for cultivating crops in aquaponics, which will greatly promote the application of aquaponics to provide a solution for the increasing food demands in the future.

碩士
朝陽科技大學
景觀及都市設計系
107
In recent years, the rapid development of global cities has led to a significant reduction in the area of agriculture. How to use urban infrastructure to increase urban micro-farming areas has become an important part of create sustainable cities. In addition, the drastic climate change has affected the unstable production of food and caused food supply crisis. Therefore, many countries continue to promote sustainable agriculture to ensure the stability of the world’s food supply. The balcony and roofs of the schools and the homes are the main artificial infrastructure in the city, creating growth opportunities for edible crops, increasing planting area, raising food self-sufficiency rate and reducing food mileage, forming a small production base for food self-sufficiency, and combining ecological education with the learning field. This study takes the green design experimental ground of Chaoyang University of Technology as the field, and evaluates the production efficiency of the net weight of Brassica chinensis L. CV. Ching-Geeng produced per unit area (g/m2). The experiment lasted for 21 days from March 15th, 2019 to April 4th, 2019. The soil and water quality were monitored during the experiment. This experiment is divided into two parts (Part A and Part B). In the first part of experiment, which compares with the production efficiency of Aquaponic system, Soil cultivation and Potted cultivation. In the second part of experiment, which compares with the production efficiency of Soil cultivation and Potted cultivation use tap water and aquaponics’ waste water. The result of the first experiment showed that the production efficiency is ranked from high to low: Potted cultivation (1165.6g/㎡), Aquaponic system (1123.3g/㎡) and Soil cultivation (643.9g/㎡). The result of the second experiment showed that the Soil cultivation used aquaponics′ drain water (2039.8g/㎡) is superior to that used tap water (822.5g/㎡). And the Potted cultivation used aquaponics′ drain water (1724.9g/㎡) is superior to that used tap water (1156.2g/㎡). Besides, the experimental observation found that less maintenance and management of weeding, fertilization, irrigation and plant disease and pest control during Aquaponic system planting process, and has the environmental advantages of regulating microclimate and dynamic landscape that promotes the potential development of urban infrastructure sustainable agriculture.

碩士
高苑科技大學
化工與生化工程研究所
104
In this study, the aquaponic system was set up outdoors and adopted sunlight as the light source to save energy. The processed fish feed and mixed natural fish feed (Sesame dregs, soybean dregs, rice bran: 1:1:1) were supplied for the fish (Zhu Wenjin). The ceramic ring and oyster shell provided the bio media for the transfer of ammonia-nitrogen to nitrate-nitrogen which could be assimilated by vegetables. Moreover, the water quality of the aquaponic system，the growth of vegetables (Oilseed Rape，Chinese Cabbage， Garland Chrysanthemum) , and the nitrate of vegetables were investigated. The results showed that bio media and food of fish affected the water quality and the nitrate amount for vegetables. The most fast and steady growth was Edible Rape on the combination of oyster shell medium and mixed natural fish feed. However, the water containsed a lot of turbidity. It was due to the oyster shell and mixed natural fish feed and the post-filter was not efficient. Further, the Edible Rape still could grow fast by the combination of ceramic ring and processed fish feed. However, the Chinese Mustard and Crown Daisy grew slowly and the effluent water was very clear after the combination process of ceramic ring and processed fish feed. On the other hand, the water quality of dissolved oxygen (DO) was 7.48-8.68 mg/L. It indicated that the DO provided the growth of fish effectively. Moreover, the combination of ceramic ring with processed fish feed resulted in low pH of water and no correlation with the growth of fish. On the other hand, the amounts of nitrate of all the harvested vegetables were lower than the EU nitrate regulation No. 563/2002 summer criteria of 2500ppm. The combination of oyster shell and mixed natural fish feed contained lower nitrate for vegetables.