- Research Article
1
- 10.34044/j.jfe.2024.48.3.11
Effects of Density, Morphology, and Photosynthetic Activity in Seaweeds on Nutrient Absorption from Fish Culture Effluent
- Jan 01, 2024
- Journal of Fisheries and Environment
- Boonanan Kaewduang + 3 more +3
The use of seaweed for nutrient absorption in aquaculture effluent has gained significant attention. This study investigated the effects of density and surface area-to-volume (SA:V) ratios of three seaweeds: Caulerpa lentillifera, Ulva rigida, and Gracilaria fisheri, on nutrient uptake in fish culture effluent. Nutrients absorption of NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, and PO43- was measured at algal densities of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g·L-1 every hour over a 24 h period. Optimal absorption of NO2-, NO3- and PO43- by all three seaweeds occurred at a density of 30 g·L-1 within 24 h; with maximum removal efficiencies for C. lentillifera reaching 86.03%, 74.08%, and 100%, respectively; for U. rigida, 87.33%, 76.51%, and 100%, and for G. fisheri, 87.82%, 73.77%, and 100%, respectively. At 40 g·L-1, both C. lentillifera and U. rigida achieved 100% NH4+ removal within 20 h, while G. fisheri showed 100% NH4+ removal within 18 h at a density of 20 g·L-1. In this study, U. rigida exhibited the highest SA:V ratio (12.99±0.06 cm2:cm3), surpassing that of C. lentillifera (4.48±0.33 cm2:cm3) and G. fisheri (4.07±0.17 cm2:cm3). The SA:V ratio had a positive correlation with total nitrogen reduction, Pnet and Fv/Fm. Due to its high SA:V ratio and sheet like morphology, U. rigida was the most effective at nutrient absorption compared to the siphonous-like C. lentillifera and cylindrical, bush-like G. fisheri. These results highlight the influence of photosynthetic response on nutrient absorption with varying algal densities and SA:V ratios, identifying an optimum density of 30 g·L-1 for green algae and 40 g·L-1 for red algae.
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