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

Various growing techniques

Growing in gravel/biofilter

Growing in floating boards

Density and micronutrient trials

Low density of fish High density of fish

Nutrient film technique

Growing in troughs/gutters with flowing water

Nutrient film technique

Flood and drain version in troughs/gutters

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

Water chemistry

pH Conductivity Dissolved solids Suspended solids Oxygen

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

Carbonate cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate De-nitrification

Nitrogen cycle in aquatic systems

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

Tilapia and lettuce

Lettuce Plant

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)– Butterhead variety– Quick turnover

5 weeks

– Cultivars Rex Tom Thumb

Varieties of Romaine and Bibb

Data collection and analysis

Light measurements (PAR) Computer monitoring

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

Data and video live on Internethttp://ag.arizona.edu/tomlive/gh3118_idx.html

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

Arizona Aquaculture Websiteag.arizona.edu/azaqua

What’s needed next? Investment in production

and more research Best technologies of ag and

aquaculture Limited governmental

regulation Trained production staff and

semi-skilled farming staff