Aquaculture — the farming of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants — is a major source of food and economic activity worldwide. Regardless of system type (ponds, cages, tanks, raceways, or recirculating aquaculture systems [RAS]), maintaining optimal water quality is crucial for animal health, growth rates, and production efficiency.
Accurate, real-time monitoring of pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, ammonia, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and turbidity ensures optimal environmental conditions, minimizes disease risk and mortality and increases yield.
Figure 1: Critical Water Quality Parameters to Monitor in Aquaculture
In aquaculture, portable instruments are used to measure several critical water quality parameters to keep aquatic animals healthy and productive. Here are the main parameters typically measured with portable instruments:
- Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
- This is very critical for aquatic animals; fish and shrimp require specific DO levels. Low DO can cause stress, disease, or death.
- Temperature
- Water temperature affects metabolism, oxygen solubility, and feeding rates. Some species have narrow optimal temperature ranges.
- pH
- This measures the acidity/basicity of the water. pH affects ammonia toxicity and overall fish health.
- Salinity (or Conductivity)
- This is very important for aquatic species in brackish or marine environments. It helps to maintain osmotic balance in aquatic animals.
- Ammonia (NH₃/NH₄⁺)
- Ammonia is a toxic waste product from animal metabolism and decomposition. Even low concentrations can be deadly to aquatic organisms.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Reference: Taken from HORIBA Application Note on Aquaculture Fish-farming
Article by Muyiwa Adebola
Email: Muyiwa@aasnig.com