Articles
Commercial aquaponic system developed for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) production in RAS together with vegetable production a CO2 zero concept
Article number
1356_29
Pages
247 – 254
Language
English
Abstract
This study evaluates the wastewater from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) producing Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The aim is to improve the use of the nutrient solution by growing vegetables in semi-closed-loop production.
The circular food production concept provides a sustainable way of producing more food from the same water and nutrient sources.
The trials were carried out at the aquaponics research facility at NIBIO Landvik, Norway.
The salmon production and the growth of hydroponic-produced lettuce in the fish wastewater were followed.
The trial period was ten months, and the salmon grew from 40-g fingerlings up to 2.6 kg.
In an aquaponic system, sludge handling and water treatment are crucial to obtain the best use of nutrients and aim for zero CO2 emissions.
We sampled the fish and plant biomass, CO2 levels in the aquaculture water, the air and plant area, the sludge and the circulated production water without adding anything but pH level adjustments.
The main findings showed that the biogenic CO2 produced by the fish was a good source for growing healthy plants (plants:fish = 8.57:1). Wastewater from the fish tanks is reused, holding essential nutrients in the system that otherwise would turn into waste.
Our C mass balance was 103.1 (feed)-35.0 (fish)-46.3 (plants) = 21.8 (sludge, respiration, etc.) The study showed that the fresh weight ratio of lettuce production vs. salmon production was close to 9:1, which is higher than in earlier studies.
Our study showed that plant production, together with RAS, reduces CO2 leakage into the atmosphere if making biochar from plant waste.
The findings support a new future food platform combining different production methods and reusing waste streams as significant resources for other productions.
The circular food production concept provides a sustainable way of producing more food from the same water and nutrient sources.
The trials were carried out at the aquaponics research facility at NIBIO Landvik, Norway.
The salmon production and the growth of hydroponic-produced lettuce in the fish wastewater were followed.
The trial period was ten months, and the salmon grew from 40-g fingerlings up to 2.6 kg.
In an aquaponic system, sludge handling and water treatment are crucial to obtain the best use of nutrients and aim for zero CO2 emissions.
We sampled the fish and plant biomass, CO2 levels in the aquaculture water, the air and plant area, the sludge and the circulated production water without adding anything but pH level adjustments.
The main findings showed that the biogenic CO2 produced by the fish was a good source for growing healthy plants (plants:fish = 8.57:1). Wastewater from the fish tanks is reused, holding essential nutrients in the system that otherwise would turn into waste.
Our C mass balance was 103.1 (feed)-35.0 (fish)-46.3 (plants) = 21.8 (sludge, respiration, etc.) The study showed that the fresh weight ratio of lettuce production vs. salmon production was close to 9:1, which is higher than in earlier studies.
Our study showed that plant production, together with RAS, reduces CO2 leakage into the atmosphere if making biochar from plant waste.
The findings support a new future food platform combining different production methods and reusing waste streams as significant resources for other productions.
Authors
S.L.G. Skar, M.B. Birkeland, O.A. Nordal, R.I. Thorarinsdottir
Keywords
carbon, run-off nutrients, sustainability, gas emissions, environmental technologies
Groups involved
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Horticulture for Development
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Working Group Urban Horticulture
- Working Group Landscape Horticulture
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