aquaponics short-course at the university of arizona kevin fitzsimmons, jason licamele, eric...
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Aquaponics short-course at the University of Arizona
Kevin Fitzsimmons, Jason Licamele, Eric Highfield
University of Arizona6 April 2011
Trends in food markets
Demand for more locally grown, organic foods
Increasing demand for vegetables and fish for health reasons
Need to increase economic and environmental efficiency (energy, water, land area, recycling of nutrients)
Global food crisis
Rapidly increasing population Diversion of foods to bio-fuels Increased costs for water, fertilizer, fuel Multiple demands for farmland (urban sprawl,
industrial and mining, solar and wind generation, wildlife conservation, watershed protection, global warming, etc.)
Demand for locally produced food
Need new model for food production
Green Revolution – huge increase in food production, but heavy reliance on irrigation, fuel and fertilizer.
Blue Revolution – almost 50% of seafood is farm raised, but many environmental impacts (effluents causing eutrophication, algae blooms, cage and raft conflicts with other users in oceans, bays and lakes)
Development of hydroponics and aquaculture
Fast growing sectors of global food production
Hydroponics is more efficient use of water and nutrients, controls the environment and reduces use of pesticides and herbicides.
Aquaculture is more efficient production of domesticated aquatic animals and plants.
Past Projects
The Land – Disney World, Florida Biosphere 2 – Tucson, Arizona High school education Commercialization
Disney World – EPCOT – The Land
University of Arizona provided technical design, layout, and training of staff.
Selected hydroponics and aquaculture as two critical food production systems for the future.
Disney World – EPCOT – The Land 30,000 guests a day learn about hydroponics,
aquaculture, tilapia, and advanced farming techniques
Products are served in the Good Turn Restaurant
Development trials for Biosphere 2 Biosphere 2 – A one hectare greenhouse. Completely
sealed, with eight people living inside for two years.
Early trials for Biosphere 2 University of Arizona
provided overall technical support and designed the food system.
Intensive food production
Healthy foods with minimal need for external inputs
Replicated trials with tilapia and lettuce
Fish and grain cropsTilapia and barley Nutrient dynamics in recirc
Determined that integrated fish and irrigated crops were most efficient food production system for Biosphere 2
Educational systems in high schoolsFish instead of traditional farm animals
Hydroponic vegetables and ornamental flowers
Carbon Cycle
C6H12O6 6 H2O + 6 CO2 C6H12O6 + 3O2
sugars andother organics
digestion and respiration + 3O2
Photosynthesis
sugars andother organics and oxygen
water andcarbon dioxide
CH4 + COx anaerobes andmethanogens
Carbonate Cycle
CO2 + H2O H2CO3 H+ + HCO3- H+ + CO3
2-
carbon dioxidedissolved in water
carbonic acid
bicarbonateion
carbonateion
Nitrogen cycle Nitrogen is often a limiting element in
freshwater aquatic system Adding nitrogen will cause rapid increase in
primary productivity Nitrogen in anaerobic sediments
- denitrification (reduction to NH3 or N2 gas)
UAAQ CEAC Nitrogen Mass Flow
Nitrogen Mass Flow– Introduced via feed
– Input: 108 g nitrogen / day
Oxygen– Consumption
Fish Plant root zone Plant respiration
– Generation Plant photosynthesis Microalgae / Phytoplankton
photosynthesis
Tilapia sp p .N R e te nt io n: 2 7 %
Fe e d (2 8 % P ro te in; 5 .7 % N )2 % F is h B io m as s )
M e c hanic alF i l t r at io n
To tal : 1 0 0 % N
(1 0 % N di s s o l ve d i n H 2 O )(4 0 % N e xc r e te d i nto H 2 O by fi s h)
1 0 % Sl udg e
B io lo gic alF i l te r
N c o ns .< 1 %
1 ) C o nve r s i o n o f fe e d to fi s h b i o m as s
2 ) Se par at i o n o f s o l i ds and s l udg e
3 ) C o nve r s i o n o f n i tr o g e n to n i tr ate
To tal : 7 3 % N(5 0 % D i s s o l ve d N )(2 3 % P ar t i c ul ate N )
H ydr o po ni c s L e t tuc eD ata C o l l e c t i o n: 5 -6 g -N / kg dr y w e i g ht
To tal : 6 3 % N
4 ) C o nve r s i o n o f n i tr ate to p l ant b i o m as s
5 ) R e s i dual n i tr atei n H 2 O
N H 3 -N H 4
N O 2
N O 3
To tal : 6 2 % N
Air B lo we r(Air appro x 2 1 % O 2g e n
Fo rc e d into wate r )
F is hO 2c o n (R e s pirat io n)
P hyto plankto n/Algae(O 2g e n D ay)
(O 2c o n N ight)
L e ttuc e(O 2c o n R o o t zo ne )
O 2 D if fus io n
O 2 D if fus io n
P ho to s ynthe s isO 2g e n D a y
R e s pirat io nO 2c o n n ight
O 2c o n = O xyge n C o ns um ptio n
O 2g e n = O xyge n G e ne rat io n
M ec h an ic a l / Bio lo g ic a lF ilte r
(O 2c o n N itr i fying B ac te r ia)(O 2c o n M ine ral izat io n o f s o l ids )
O xyg e n D ynam i c s o f the Aquapo ni c s Sys te m G H # 3 1 1 8
Phosphorus cycle
Wetland Ecosystem Management
Phosphorus and orthophosphate.
Organic P decomposes and releases PO4, taken up by algae and plants or adsorbs to clay particles and precipitates. Anaerobic conditions can re-release P to water.
Tilapia and other fish
Oreochromis species Catfish Koi Yellow perch and bluegills Sturgeon and ornamental fish
Fish feed as nutrient sources
Fish feed is the basic input for nutrients to fish and plants
Protein is source of nitrogen for plants Phosphorus and potassium from fishmeal,
bone meal, or feather meal Micronutrients from vitamin and mineral
premixes in fish feed
UAAQ CEAC Aquaponic Inputs
Inputs:– Water– Star Milling Co.
1/8” Floating Tilapia Feed
– Dolomite 65 Ag CaCO3 46.0%
MgCO3 38.5% Ca 22.7% Mg 11.8%
– Biomins Biomin Fe+ (5%) Biomin Mn+ (5%) Biomin Zn+ (7%)
Crude Crude ProteinProtein
35%35%
Crude FatCrude Fat 5%5%
Crude FiberCrude Fiber 3.53.5%%
AshAsh 9%9%
FISH FEEDFISH FEED
%% NN 5.975.97
%% PP 1.531.53
%% KK 1.461.46
%% CaCa 1.611.61
%% MgMg 0.260.26
%% NaNa 0.240.24
%% SS 0.460.46
mg/Lmg/L CuCu 1515
mg/Lmg/L ZnZn 143143
mg/Lmg/L MnMn 9393
mg/Lmg/L FeFe 461461
mg/Lmg/L BB 1818
– Nutrient Content Analysis
Organic micronutrients
• Biomins Biomin Fe+ (5%) Biomin Mn+ (5%) Biomin Zn+ (7%)
Biomin Calcium is created using an encapsulation (chelating) of the mineral calcium with glycine and natural organic acids.
Biomin Z.I.M is a true amino acid chelated multi-mineral. The chelating agent is mainly glycine, the smallest amino acid commonly used by and found in plants.
System design
For fish – tanks vs raceways For plants – variety Gravel and sand beds Floating rafts Gutters and trays
Lettuce Plant
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)– Butterhead variety– Quick turnover
5 weeks
– Cultivars Rex Tom Thumb
Nutrient Balance
Nutrient Balance– Feed
32% Protein 2-4% System Biomass FCR 2:1
– Filtration Clarifier Nitrification
– Hydroponics Nutrient uptake Water
Water Chemistry
N, TAN, NH4, NO2, NO3, K, P, Ca, Fe, pH, alkalinity, T, EC
Aquaponic Inputs
Inputs:– Water– Fish Food
Star Milling Co. 1/8” Floating Tilapia Feed
– Dolomite 65 Ag CaCO3 46.0% MgCO3 38.5% Ca 22.7% Mg 11.8%
– Biomins Biomin Fe+ (5%) Biomin Mn+ (5%) Biomin Zn+ (7%)
Crude Protein 32%
Crude Fat 5%
Crude Fiber 3.5%
Ash 9%
FISH FEED
% N 5.97
% P 1.53
% K 1.46
% Ca 1.61
% Mg 0.26
% Na 0.24
% S 0.46
mg/L Cu 15
mg/L Zn 143
mg/L Mn 93
mg/L Fe 461
mg/L B 18
– Nutrient Content Analysis
pH & Oxygen
pH Range Tilapia 6.5-9– Fish = 6.5 – 8.5– Plant = 5.0 – 7.5
Diurnal pH Flux– Reduce shifts to stabilize pH
Shifts can inhibit organism's physiology thus reducing growth Acidic pH can effect solubility of Fertilizers
– Alkalinity Optimal: 75-150 mg/L Stabilizes pH ; provides nutrients for growth
Dissolved Oxygen– > 4 mg/l (ppm)
UAAQ CEACMethodology
Data Collection– Fish : Lettuce
Fish FCR Fish Biomass (1 kg) Plant Wet/Dry Weight Plant Height/Diameter
– Lettuce quality Apogee CCM-200 Chlorophyll Concentration
Index (CCI)– Relative chlorophyll value– Compare a cultivar of
lettuce growing in different systems
UAAQ CEACBiomass Density
CEAC GH#3118– Tilapia Density
0.04 – 0.06 kg/L 2% Biomass / day 1.6 – 1.8 kg feed / day Harvest weight 1kg
– Lettuce 32 plants / m2
6” off center Harvest head wet weight
150-200 grams
UAAQ CEACWater Chemistry
Nutrient Deficiency Succession
– [ Fe+, Mn+, Mo+] <
– [Ca+, Mg+]<
– [Zn+]
Hydroponic Water Parameters
– pH 6.5-6.7
– EC 1.5 – 2.0
– DO 4-7mg/L
– T = 23-25oC
Water Chemistry (mg/L)CEAC
Lettuce GH#3118
Target
NITROGEN
Ammonia NH3-N 0 0
Nitrate NO3-N 180 50
Boron (B) 0.35 <1
Calcium (Ca) 200 60
Copper (Cu) 0.05 <0.05
Iron (Fe) 2.4 2
Magnesium (Mg) 40 20
Manganese (Mn) 0.55 0.5
Molybdenum (Mo) 0.05 0.05
PO4-P 50 50
Potassium (K) 198 150
Sulfate (SO4)-S 52 20< >100
Zinc (Zn) 0.34 0.3
UAAQ CEACEnvironmental Data
Set Points:– Hydroponic Treatment
Day Tair = 20 - 22oC
Night Tair = 16 - 18oC
TH2O = 23 - 25oC
pH = 6.5 - 6.8
DO = 4 - 7 mg/L
UAAQ 2009 Daily PAR
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12 3/26 4/9Time
Mo
les
M-2
d-1 Exp.1
Exp.2Exp.3
UAAQ 2009 Environmental Data Exp. 1
Mean Daily PAR 16.60 moles/m2
Total PAR Exp.2 829.82 moles/m2
Mean Night Ta 17.09oC
Mean Day Ta 21.19oC
Daily Mean Ta 19.14oC
Daily Mean RH% 59.47%
UAAQ 2009 Environmental Data Exp. 2
Mean Daily PAR 19.33 moles/m2
Total PAR Exp.2 924.00 moles/m2
Mean Night Ta 17.14oC
Mean Day Ta 21.56oC
Daily Mean Ta 19.35oC
Daily Mean RH% 60.85%
UAAQ 2009 Water Parameters Exp. 1
Mean Water Temperature 24.29oC
pH 6.75
Dissolved Oxygen 5.89 mg/L
Electrical Conductivity 0.97 dS/cm
UAAQ 2009 Water Parameters Exp. 2
Mean Water Temperature 24.22oC
pH 6.73
Dissolved Oxygen 6.74 mg/L
Electrical Conductivity 0.93 dS/cm
UAAQ CEACNitrogen Mass Flow
Fish Feed – % N = 5.97
1800 grams/day 107 grams nitrogen/day
Sludge– N = 3.38% per g dry weight
5 Liters day produced Collect dry weight / day
Fish – 27% nitrogen retention
Lettuce – Samples to be analyzed
Water– 40-60 mg/L Nitrate
UAAQ Water ChemstryNPK
0.00
50.00
100.00
150.00
200.00
250.00
1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12
Time
mg
/L
NH3-N
NO3-N
K
PO4-P
Exp.1Exp.2
Exp.3
UAAQ CEACWater Chemistry
Macronutrients– Accumulation reaching steady state– Calcium and magnesium supplementation
Experiments 2-8
Micronutrients– Biomin Iron supplementation
Experiment s 4-8– Biomin Zinc supplementation
Experiments 5-8– Biomin Manganese supplementation
Experiments 6-8
UAAQ Water ChemistryMacronutrients
0.00
50.00
100.00
150.00
200.00
250.00
1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12
Time
mg
/L
SO4-S
Ca
Mg
UAAQ Water Chemistry Micronutrients
0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12
Time
mg
/LB
Cu
Fe
Mn
Mo
Zn
Exp.1Exp.2
Exp.3
Exp.1Exp.2
Exp.3
UAAQ Exp. 2 Aquaponics vs. Hydroponics
Hydroponic Solution– Nitrogen uptake– Experiment 2 Data
40-60 mg/L NO3-N 10-20 mg/L P 100+ mg/L K
UAAQ 2009 Water ChemistryH1 Primary Nutrients
0
50
100
150
200
250
Feb-09 Mar-09
Time
mg
/L
NH3-N
NO3-N
K
PO4-P
UAAQ 2009 Hydroponics WaterH2 Primary Nutrients
0
50
100
150
200
250
Feb-09 Mar-09
Time
mg
/L
NH3-N
NO3-N
K
PO4-P