Nutrients and Energy Balance Analysis for a Conceptual Model of a Three Loops off Grid, Aquaponics
Open Access
- 10 December 2016
- Vol. 8 (12), 589
- https://doi.org/10.3390/w8120589
Abstract
Food security, specifically in water scarce regions, is an increasing local and global challenge. Finding new ways to increase agricultural production in a sustainable manner is required. The current study suggests a conceptual model to integrate established recirculating aquaculture practices into a near-zero discharge aquaponic system that efficiently utilizes water, excreted nutrients and organic matter for energy. The suggested model allows to significantly extend the planted area and recover energy in the form of biogas to operate the system off-grid. A mass balance model of nitrogen, carbon and energy was established and solved, based on data from the literature. Results demonstrate that a fish standing stock of about 700 kg would produce 3.4 tons of fish annually and enough nutrients to grow about 35 tons of tomatoes per year (chosen as a model plant) and recover sufficient energy (70 kWh/day) to run the system on biogas and use less water. If proven successful, this approach may play a major role in sustainably enhancing food security in rural and water scarce regions.This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- Challenges of Sustainable and Commercial AquaponicsSustainability, 2015
- Global food demand and the sustainable intensification of agricultureProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011
- Ecological–economic assessment of aquaculture options: Comparison between abalone monoculture and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture of abalone and seaweedsAquaculture, 2010
- Aquaponic Systems: Nutrient recycling from fish wastewater by vegetable productionDesalination, 2009
- Evaluating the economic potential of horizontally integrated land-based marine aquacultureAquaculture, 2009
- Food Production and Water Conservation in a Recirculating Aquaponic System in Saudi Arabia at Different Ratios of Fish Feed to PlantsJournal of the World Aquaculture Society, 2008
- A Novel Zero Discharge Intensive Seawater Recirculating System for the Culture of Marine FishJournal of the World Aquaculture Society, 2003
- CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE IN DESERTS, TROPICS AND TEMPERATE REGIONS - A WORLD REVIEWActa Horticulturae, 2002
- Nutrient dynamics in integrated aquaculture–hydroponics systemsAquaculture, 1998
- Efficiency of Water Use of an Integrated Fish/Vegetable Co‐Culture SystemJournal of the World Aquaculture Society, 1997