Effluents/Sludge from Aquaculture Farms

Commercial aquaculture farming operations involve use of highly nutritious pelletised feed supplied to the pond in excess of what is required. This needs to be done in view of the fact that all the feed supplied will not be consumed by the shrimps/prawns, before it reaches the pond bottom. Such unconsumed feed, shrimp excreta, other chemicals/antibiotics used during the farming operations cause the pollution of pond water. When discharged, such pond water may cause eutrophication in natural water bodies and also deplete dissolved oxygen due to the presence of biodegradable organic pollutants.

Similarly, the pond bottom sludge is to be removed after harvesting of shrimps/prawns, before the next crop is seeded. This sludge will also contain a lot of organic matters and leftover nutrients which, if disposed untreated, will cause deterioration of water quality.