An evaluation of wastewater treatment technologies for the purpose of recirculation in aquaculture facilities with a focus on an unsubmerged bioreactor

Abstract

As aquaculture continues to grow worldwide, land-based aquaculture facilities can be ideal because a large volume of fish can be produced in a small area. With growth comes the concern of water usage and wastewater management. New technologies are being utilized to address these issues, including those to lead to a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) which can allow for almost complete reuse of hatchery waters. A cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable system is still needed. This study evaluated one potential RAS technology, an unsubmerged bioreactor, for: its effectiveness at removing wastewater contaminants from a rainbow trout hatchery in Ontario; and the effect operating conditions such as influent temperature, influent concentration, and treatment time have on contaminant removal. The results indicate that for this hatchery, the technology was effective at reducing or maintaining contaminant levels to those appropriate for recirculation, and that treatment time will be dependent on wastewater influent characteristics.