Reduction of effluent discharge and groundwater use in catfish ponds

• Published in: Aquacultural engineering Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 163 - 174
• Main Authors: Cathcart, T.P., Pote, J.W., Rutherford, D.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.08.1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: administrative management; Animal aquaculture; Animal productions; Biological and medical sciences; Catfish ponds; Effluent discharge; effluents; evaporation; fish culture; fish ponds; Freshwater; freshwater fish; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Groundwater; Mathematical modeling; mathematical models; Pisciculture; precipitation; prediction; rain; Vertebrate aquaculture; wastewater; water pollution; water use; Effluent discharge; Mathematical modeling; Groundwater; Catfish ponds; Pollution prevention; Ictalurus punctatus; Pollutant emission; Freshwater environment; Breeding pond; Vertebrata; Organic loading; Pisces; Pisciculture; Mathematical model; Waste water discharge; Effluent; Ground water
• ISSN: 0144-8609; 1873-5614
• DOI: 10.1016/S0144-8609(99)00013-8

A management strategy designed to reduce the volume of effluent discharged from catfish ponds and decrease dependence upon groundwater was tested using a mathematical model. The approach is predicated upon the simultaneous use of certain ponds for fish production and rainwater storage. Production/storage ponds are deeper than conventional production ponds and receive overflow during rain events from other production ponds that are linked in a two- or four-pond series. The model which simulated system performance used a 26-year record of precipitation and evaporation and was based upon a computed water balance for the linked pond system. Based upon simulations representing multiple scenarios, model predictions suggested that effluent discharge may be reduced by 40–90% and groundwater use may be reduced by 40–75%. This management approach, if implemented, may be a viable method to reduce nutrient loading of receiving waters and conserve groundwater.