Engineered Aquaculture Ecosystem for Managing Wastewater

Technical Summary:

PAS uses the concept of high rate algal growth originally developed for wastewater treatment to manage aquacultural byproducts that could lead to eutrophication. Tests have shown that ammonia nitrogen levels peaked at two to four ppm in PAS, a significant reduction from the over sixteen ppm when using a competing method at similar feed rates. The algae responsible for the reduced nitrogen also photosynthesize, recycling oxygen that increases the carrying capacity of the aquaculture farm. When a target fish is paired with an algavore like tilapia, it is easier for preferable green algae to flourish. PAS increases fish yields and decreases eutrophication potential, allowing for more environmentally conscious, efficient fish farms.