Nutrient retention efficiencies in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture
One of the bottlenecks for commercial implementation of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is the difficulty in quantifying its environmental performance. We reviewed a large body of literature to determine the variability in nutrient dynamics within different IMTA systems (open sea-cage...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://umt-ir.umt.edu.my:8080/handle/123456789/21720 |
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| Summary: | One of the bottlenecks for commercial implementation of integrated multi-trophic
aquaculture (IMTA) is the difficulty in quantifying its environmental performance. We
reviewed a large body of literature to determine the variability in nutrient dynamics
within different IMTA systems (open sea-cages,
land-based
flow-through
and recirculating
aquaculture systems), with the aim to provide a generic framework to quantify
nutrient retention efficiencies in integrated aquaculture systems. Based on the eco-physiological
requirements of the cultured species, as well as the response of “extractive”
species to waste from “fed” species, the maximum retention efficiency was
defined for a conceptual four-species
marine IMTA system (fish–seaweed–
bivalve–
deposit
feeder). This demonstrated that 79%–94%
of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon
supplied with fish feed could theoretically be retained. In practice, however, various
biological and environmental factors may limit retention efficiencies and thereby
influence the bioremediation of IMTA systems. These biological (waste production,
stoichiometry in nutrient requirements) and environmental (temporal and spatial connectivity)
factors were therefore evaluated against the theoretical reference frame
and showed that efficiencies of 45%–75%
for closed systems and 40%–50%
for open
systems are more realistic. This study is thereby the first to provide quantitative estimates
for nutrient retention across IMTA systems, demonstrating that a substantial
fraction of nutrients released from fish culture units can be retained by extractive
species and subsequently harvested. Furthermore, by adapting this framework to the
design and the condition prevailing for a specific IMTA system, it becomes a generic
tool to analyse the system's bioremediation potential and explore options for further
improvement. |
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