Biogeochemical processes in intensive zero-effluent marine fish culture with recirculating aerobic and anaerobic biofilters

The biogeochemical processes that drive nutrient transformations and recycling in organic marine sediment–water environments were studied for 17 months in a zero-effluent intensive recirculating culture system. The system consisted of a 10 m3 gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) tank coupled to aerobic and anaerobic water treatment elements. Nutrients and alkalinity were measured in the system to quantify the main biogeochemical processes. Fractions of the carbon fed in feed were found in fish (18.3%) and in sludge (11%); the missing carbon was respired by fish (45%) and by aerobic (8.4%) and anaerobic (7.7%) microorganisms. Fractions of the nitrogen fed in feed were found in fish (15.4%) and in sludge (14.3%); the missing nitrogen was eliminated by nitrification–denitrification. Most of the phosphorus and ash fed in feed and not found in fish accumulated within the sludge in the system. The rates of nitrification, denitrification and sulphate reduction increased with time, reaching 0.3 g N m−2 d−1, 53 g N m−2 d−1 and 145 g S m−2 d−1, respectively. Nitrification developed more rapidly than denitrification, leading at first to nitrate accumulation (to 20 mmol NO3 l−1 by day 200) and a decrease in alkalinity. Once denitrification surpassed nitrification, nitrate concentrations decreased, eventually being reduced to