Sustainable land-based IMTA: Holistic management of finfish, mussel, and macroalgae interactions, emphasizing water quality and nutrient dynamics
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This research aims to minimize the environmental impact and promote the sustainability of aquaculture by optimizing nutrient dynamics, improving water quality and enhancing species growth performance through a land-based Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system. The study focused on Black Sea trout ( Salmo labrax ), Mediterranean mussel ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ), and sea lettuce ( Ulva lactuca ), reared in interconnected tanks using Black Sea water over 90 days. The Black Sea trout more than doubled in size to 333.92 ± 6.60 g and significant improvements were observed in the specific growth rate (SGR) at 0.85% and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 1.38. The fish's proximate composition included 19.19% protein, 2.31% lipid, 70.35% moisture, and 1.34% ash, with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels at 6.06% and 13.50%, respectively. The macroalgae showed substantial growth, with a SGR of 0.34% and a weight gain of 310 ± 3.50 g. Additionally, it increased protein content by 13.41% and demonstrated significant nutrient removal efficiencies: 41.4% for nitrate, 66.7% for nitrite, and 90.8% for ammonia. EPA and DHA levels increased by 45% and 70%, reaching 4.66% and 2.19%, respectively. In contrast, the mussels experienced a weight loss, with a weight gain of −1.20 ± 0.00 g and an SGR of −0.20%. Initially, wild mussels had a composition of 77.56% moisture, 13.79% protein, 1.54% lipid, and 1.77% ash. The presence of mussels and macroalgae significantly improved water quality, notably reducing ammonia by 92.2%, nitrate by 44.6% and nitrite by 75%, benefiting the overall ecosystem. This study concludes that a land-based IMTA system enhances sustainable aquaculture by improving product quality and bioremediation, with macroalgae playing a crucial role in nutrient absorption and growth within the system. • Ulva lactuca increased its protein and lipid content by 13.41% and 0.05% at the end of the experiment in the land-based IMTA. • Ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels of the wastewater were reduced by 92.2%, 44.6% and 75%, respectively. • Mytilus galloprovincialis and Ulva lactuca mitigated ammonia, nitrate, nitrite by 15.6%, 5.4%, 25% and 90.8%, 41.4%, 66.7%. • Land-based IMTA system is not suitable for the feeding requirements of the Mytilus galloprovincialis in a long term study.
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,850
OpenAlex ID: W4404579514