Design of a model aquaponics system to study microbial communities

ECSU Author/Contributor (non-ECSU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Justin Midgett, student (Creator)
Michael Oliver, student (Creator)
Roberto Frontera-Suau, Professor (Contributor)
Institution
Elizabeth City State University (ECSU )
Web Site: https://www.ecsu.edu/academics/library/index.html

Abstract: Aquaponics is a novel agricultural application that couples hydroponics and aquaculture techniques. It utilizes the ammonia rich waste from the aquaculture of commercial fish to provide nutrients for microbial cultures, which in turn oxidize the ammonia into nitrate, making it available for plant growth. As part of this study, we have designed a bench top model aquaponics system that utilizes solid substrate and continuous flow beds to grow plants using recycled wastewater from fish cultures. The system will be sampled for bacterial community analysis focusing on three sample points; the fish gut microflora, the biofilter community and plant mycorrhiza. Bacterial community DNA will be extracted using a PowerSoil DNA extraction kit and analyzed by sequencing.

Additional Information

Publication
Other
Language: English
Date: 2021
Keywords
Aquaponics, agricultural application, aquaculture, ammonia, nitrate, microflora

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