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Ultraviolet radiation and water salinization on recirculating aquaculture systems

Radiação ultravioleta e salinização da água em sistemas de aquicultura com recirculação de água

Abstract:

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV) and water salinity on nitrification, water quality, bacterial load, and juvenile tilapia growth in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs). The experimental period was divided into two phases. The first one lasted 20 days and evaluated the effects of salinity (0 and 2 g L-1) and UV (with or without) on water quality during the period of substrate colonization by nitrifying bacteria. In the second phase, after the storage of juvenile tilapia, the effects of the same experimental factors were evaluated on water quality, bacterial load, and fish growth performance. The RASs employed were efficient for ammonia removal, regardless of the treatments used. During the experimental period, the nitrite concentrations increased linearly, with a more pronounced increase after fish storage until 30 days of the experiment. There were no significant effects of UV, salinity, or the interaction of both on total ammonia, nitrite, and alkalinity. The low levels of salinity (2 g L-1) and UV did not affect the nitrification process and fish performance. The use of UV is efficient to reduce the bacterial load of recirculating aquaculture systems.

Index terms:
Oreochromis niloticus; ammonia; bacterial load; biofilter; nitrite

Resumo:

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da radiação ultravioleta (UV) e da salinidade da água sobre a nitrificação, a qualidade da água, a carga bacteriana e o crescimento de juvenis de tilápia, em sistemas de aquicultura com recirculação de água (SRAs). O período experimental foi dividido em duas fases. A primeira durou 20 dias e avaliou os efeitos da salinidade (0 e 2 g L-1) e radiação UV (com ou sem) sobre a qualidade da água, durante o período de colonização do substrato por bactérias nitrificantes. Na segunda fase, após estocagem dos juvenis de tilápia, avaliaram-se os efeitos dos mesmos fatores experimentais sobre a qualidade da água, a carga bacteriana e o desempenho dos peixes. Os SRAs empregados foram eficientes na remoção da amônia, independentemente dos tratamentos utilizados. Durante o período experimental, as concentrações de nitrito aumentaram de forma linear, com um aumento mais acentuado após o armazenamento dos peixes até 30 dias do experimento. Não houve efeitos significativos da UV, da salinidade ou da interação de ambas sobre amônia total, nitrito e alcalinidade. Os baixos níveis de salinidade (2 g L-1) e UV não afetaram o processo de nitrificação e o desempenho dos peixes. O uso da UV é eficiente na redução da carga bacteriana dos sistemas de aquicultura com recirculação de água.

Termos para indexação:
Oreochromis niloticus; amônia; carga bacteriana; biofiltro; nitrito

Introduction

The implementation of recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) has become an appealing alternative for aquaculture because of the need to reuse water and reduce water waste. Recirculating aquaculture systems provide a greater stability of water quality (Lyssenko & Wheaton, 2006LYSSENKO, C.; WHEATON, F. Impact of positive ramp short-term operating disturbances on ammonia removal by trickling and submerged-upflow biofilters for intensive recirculating aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.35, p.26-37, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.08.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
), increasing the control on the spread of pathogens (Németh et al., 2013NÉMETH, S.; HORVÁTH, Z.; FELFÖLDI, Z.; BELICZKY, G.; DEMETER, K. The use of permitted ectoparasite disinfection methods on young pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) after transition from over-wintering lake to RAS. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation, v.6, p.1-11, 2013.) and intensification of production (Al-Hafedh et al., 2003AL-HAFEDH, Y.S.; ALAM, A.; ALAM, M.A. Performance of plastic biofilter media with different configuration in a water recirculation system for the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Aquacultural Engineering, v.29, p.139-154, 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00065-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00...
).

The accumulation of nitrogen compounds is one of the main problems related to water quality throughout the crop in aquaculture, and the ability to remove these compounds is essential to maintain growth and survival of aquatic animals (Martins et al., 2009MARTINS, C.I.M.; PISTRIN, M.G.; ENDE, S.S.W.; EDING, E.H.; VERRETH, J.A.J. The accumulation of substances in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) affects embryonic and larval development in common carp Cyprinus carpio. Aquaculture, v.291, p.65-73, 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2009.03.001.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.20...
). In RASs, the withdrawal of the suspended organic matter by mechanical filter and biofilters are used to oxidize ammonia to nitrite (NO2 -) and, subsequently, to nitrate (NO3 -), by the action of nitrifying autotrophic bacteria (Hamlin et al., 2008HAMLIN, H.J.; MICHAELS, J.T.; BEAULATON, C.M.; GRAHAM, W.F.; DUTT, W.; STEINBACH, P.; LOSORDO, T.M.; SCHRADER, K.K.; MAIN, K.L. Comparing denitrification rates and carbon sources in commercial scale upflow denitrification biological filters in aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.38, p.79-92, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.11.003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.1...
).

Moreover, recirculating aquaculture systems demand preventive measures to avoid the spread of disease. Therefore, the disinfection of water with ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been widely used to control fungi, viruses, and bacteria (Summerfelt et al., 2009SUMMERFELT, S.T.; SHARRER, M.J.; TSUKUDA, S.M.; GEARHEART, M. Process requirements for achieving full-flow disinfection of recirculating water using ozonation and UV irradiation. Aquacultural Engineering, v.40, 17-27, 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.10.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.1...
; Gullian et al., 2012GULLIAN, M.; ESPINOSA-FALLER, F.J.; NÚÑEZ, A.; LÓPEZ-BARAHONA, N. Effect of turbidity on the ultraviolet disinfection performance in recirculating aquaculture systems with low water exchange. Aquaculture Research, v.43, p.595-606, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011.02866.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011...
). For the process to occur effectively, factors such as UV intensity (Summerfelt et al., 2009SUMMERFELT, S.T.; SHARRER, M.J.; TSUKUDA, S.M.; GEARHEART, M. Process requirements for achieving full-flow disinfection of recirculating water using ozonation and UV irradiation. Aquacultural Engineering, v.40, 17-27, 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.10.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.1...
) and the absence of particulate matter (Gullian et al., 2012GULLIAN, M.; ESPINOSA-FALLER, F.J.; NÚÑEZ, A.; LÓPEZ-BARAHONA, N. Effect of turbidity on the ultraviolet disinfection performance in recirculating aquaculture systems with low water exchange. Aquaculture Research, v.43, p.595-606, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011.02866.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011...
) must be taken into consideration. Salt can also be used for disease prevention (Németh et al., 2013NÉMETH, S.; HORVÁTH, Z.; FELFÖLDI, Z.; BELICZKY, G.; DEMETER, K. The use of permitted ectoparasite disinfection methods on young pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) after transition from over-wintering lake to RAS. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation, v.6, p.1-11, 2013.); moreover, it can reduce the toxic effects of nitrogenous compounds (Sampaio et al., 2002SAMPAIO, L.A.; WASIELESKY, W.; MIRANDA-FILHO, K.C. Effect of salinity on acute toxicity of ammonia and nitrite to juvenile Mugil platanus. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, v.68, p.668-674, 2002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001280306.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s001280306...
), which are common in RASs. Thus, the brackish water has been used for freshwater fish with satisfactory results (Sampaio et al., 2002SAMPAIO, L.A.; WASIELESKY, W.; MIRANDA-FILHO, K.C. Effect of salinity on acute toxicity of ammonia and nitrite to juvenile Mugil platanus. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, v.68, p.668-674, 2002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001280306.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s001280306...
; Luz et al., 2013LUZ, R.K.; SANTOS, A.E.H.; MELILLO FILHO, R.; TURRA, E.M.; TEIXEIRA, E. de A. Larvicultura de tilápia em água doce e água salinizada. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.48, p.1150-1153, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2013000800051.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X201300...
; Jomori et al., 2013JOMORI, R.K.; LUZ, R.K.; TAKATA, R.; FABREGAT, T.E.H.P.; PORTELA, M.C. Água levemente salinizada aumenta a eficiência da larvicultura de peixes neotropicais. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.48, p.809-815, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2013000800001.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X201300...
; Németh et al., 2013NÉMETH, S.; HORVÁTH, Z.; FELFÖLDI, Z.; BELICZKY, G.; DEMETER, K. The use of permitted ectoparasite disinfection methods on young pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) after transition from over-wintering lake to RAS. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation, v.6, p.1-11, 2013.). Studies on many species of fish have shown that the addition of 2 g L-1 salt improves fish performance and survival (Santos & Luz, 2009SANTOS, J.C.E. dos; LUZ, R.K. Effect of salinity and prey concentrations on Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, Prochilodus costatus and Lophiosilurus alexandri larviculture. Aquaculture, v.287, p.324-328, 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2008.10.014.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.20...
; Luz et al., 2012LUZ, R.K.; SILVA, W. de S. e; MELILLO FILHO, R.; SANTOS, A.E.H.; RODRIGUES, L.A.; TAKATA, R.; ALVARENGA, E.R. de; TURRA, E.M. Stocking density in the larviculture of Nile tilapia in saline water. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, v.41, p.2385-2389, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982012001200001.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-3598201200...
, 2013LUZ, R.K.; SANTOS, A.E.H.; MELILLO FILHO, R.; TURRA, E.M.; TEIXEIRA, E. de A. Larvicultura de tilápia em água doce e água salinizada. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.48, p.1150-1153, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2013000800051.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X201300...
; Jomori et al., 2013JOMORI, R.K.; LUZ, R.K.; TAKATA, R.; FABREGAT, T.E.H.P.; PORTELA, M.C. Água levemente salinizada aumenta a eficiência da larvicultura de peixes neotropicais. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.48, p.809-815, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2013000800001.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X201300...
). The last mentioned authors also associated the beneficial effects of salt with the energy expenditure required by the ionic and osmotic regulation, which is higher in freshwater than in salt water; their studies evaluated the use of salinized water for the production of freshwater fish and UV for disinfection. However, the effects of the combination of these two factors in RASs have not been investigated yet. It is likely that this strategy may enable the reduction of pathogenic bacteria count in water (Summerfelt et al., 2009SUMMERFELT, S.T.; SHARRER, M.J.; TSUKUDA, S.M.; GEARHEART, M. Process requirements for achieving full-flow disinfection of recirculating water using ozonation and UV irradiation. Aquacultural Engineering, v.40, 17-27, 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.10.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.1...
; Gullian et al., 2012GULLIAN, M.; ESPINOSA-FALLER, F.J.; NÚÑEZ, A.; LÓPEZ-BARAHONA, N. Effect of turbidity on the ultraviolet disinfection performance in recirculating aquaculture systems with low water exchange. Aquaculture Research, v.43, p.595-606, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011.02866.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011...
), without affecting the nitrification process (Park et al., 2001PARK, E.-J.; SEO, J.-K.; KIM, M.-R.; JUNG, I.-H.; KIM, J.Y.; KIM, S.-K. Salinity acclimation of immobilized freshwater denitrifier. Aquacultural Engineering, v.24, p.169-180, 2001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0144-8609(01)00062-0.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0144-8609(01)00...
; Lyssenko & Wheaton, 2006LYSSENKO, C.; WHEATON, F. Impact of positive ramp short-term operating disturbances on ammonia removal by trickling and submerged-upflow biofilters for intensive recirculating aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.35, p.26-37, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.08.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
), and improving the zootechnical performance (Luz et al., 2013LUZ, R.K.; SANTOS, A.E.H.; MELILLO FILHO, R.; TURRA, E.M.; TEIXEIRA, E. de A. Larvicultura de tilápia em água doce e água salinizada. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.48, p.1150-1153, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2013000800051.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X201300...
).

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of UV radiation and water salinity on nitrification, water quality, bacterial load, and fish growth performance in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs).

Materials and methods

The experiment was carried out at the Aquaculture Laboratory, in the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). For each treatment, four RASs (mechanical filter, biological filter, return reservoir, and UV filter) and four 30 L cultivation tanks were used. Each RAS was considered as an experimental unit. The cultivation basins were adapted with a water outlet located in the center and an air diffuser attached to the central blower. Water was directed to a gravity filtration system. The mechanical filter was composed of a glass wool blanket fixed to a support (35x25x15 cm), while the biological filter, of the same dimensions, was filled with 8 L gravel (1 cm average diameter) for fixing of nitrifying bacteria. The return tank (80x60x45 cm), with 120 L useful volume, was equipped with a submersible pump (Boyu Fp48, Guangdong, China) of 2,100 L h-1 flow, and a heating system (300 W power rating) with a temperature controller.

In the treatments in which UV radiation was evaluated, a UV filter model UV-C Clarifying CUV - 107 (Sunsun Group Co., Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, China) with 7 W power rating was coupled between the return reservoir and the cultivation basins. Systems with brackish water had 2 g L-1 salinity, using coarse salt (NaCl) (Salt Arroba, Macau, RN, Brazil). During the experiment, the average salinity values were 0.15±0.10 g L-1 for S0 and 2.00±0.01 g L-1 for S2 treatments, measured with a multiparameter device (Hanna HI-98130, Mumbai, India).

The experimental period was divided into two phases of 20 days. In the first one, the effect of treatments was evaluated on water quality during the period of colonization of the substrate by nitrifying bacteria. In the second phase, the effects of the interaction between UV and salt on the evaluated parameters were assessed, after fish were stocked in the RASs.

In the first day of the first phase, 69 mL of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) was added to each RAS, which corresponded to 3.5 mg L-1 ammonia concentration in each system. The systems remained without the addition of new water for17 days from the beginning of the experiment; after this period, 50 L water were added to each RAS to replace water lost by evaporation.

After the substrate colonization by nitrifying bacteria in the first phase, corresponding to 20 days, 320 juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) were stocked in the cultivation tanks. Each RAS received 20 animals with 261.46±17.1 g average mass. Fish were fed at 3% body weight, twice a day, with 1.2 mm commercial feed (Fri-Ribe, Brazil) of 40% crude protein. At this stage, 10 L water was siphoned daily from each RAS, and the volume was restored immediately to maintain salinity. Due to evaporation, 30 L water were added to each RAS. Final fish mass, mass gain, and feed conversion (FC) were determined at the end of this experimental phase.

During the two experimental phases, measurements were performed twice a day for pH, using a multiparameter device (Hanna HI98130), and dissolved oxygen and temperature, respectively measured using a dissolved-oxygen meter (AZ 8403, AZ Instrument Corp., Taiwan, China) and an oxygen meter (Politerm 60, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). Every five days, water samples were collected from the reservoir tank of each RAS for ammonia, nitrite and alkalinity analyses. Ammonia and nitrite analyses were performed following Unesco (1983)UNESCO. Chemical methods for use in marine environmental monitoring. [S.l.]: UNESCO, IOC, 1983. (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Manuals and Guides; 12). protocols and Bendschneider & Robinson (1952)BENDSCHNEIDER, K.; ROBINSON, R.J. A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of nitrite in sea water. Washington: Office of Naval Research, 1952. (Technical report, n.8). , respectively, using a spectrophotometer (Biochrom Libra S22, Biochrom instruments, Cambridge, UK). Alkalinity was analyzed following the APHA/AAWWA/WEF (Eaton et al., 1995EATON, A.D.; CLESCERI, L.S.; GREENBERG, A.E. (Ed.). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 19th ed. Washington: American Public Health Association, 1995.) protocol.

Four water samples were taken from each cultivation tank. The first sampling was performed 12 hours after the operation start of the RAS. The following two samples were taken at days 10 and 20 from the beginning of the experiment. The last sample was taken at the end of experimental phase 2, after 40 days. The samples were collected in sterile Falcon tubes, and they were immediately subjected to bacteriological protocols. For total bacterial count, the Miles-Misra method (Quinn et al., 2005QUINN, P.J.; MARKEY, B.K.; CARTER, M.E.; DONNELLY, W.J.C.; LEONARD, F.C. Microbiologia veterinária e doenças infecciosas. Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2005.) was used, employing a culture medium of trypticase soy agar (TSA). The plates were incubated at 28°C for 24 hours, and bacterial concentrations were determined by CFUs (colony-forming unit mL-1).

All data were tested for normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov) and homogeneity of variances (Levene). The results were analyzed using the analysis of variation at 5% probability, in a completely randomized design, with four replicates, and the phase factor was considered as a subdivided plot over time. For temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen, a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement was adopted, with two levels of the ultraviolet radiation factor (with, or without), two levels of the salinity factor (0 and 2 g L-1), and two levels of the phase factor (phase 1 and phase 2), constituting eight treatments. For alkalinity (Alk), total ammonia (TA), and nitrite (mg L-1), the 2×2×8 factorial arrangement was used, that is, two levels of the ultraviolet radiation factor (with, or without), two levels of the salinity factor (0 and 2 g L-1), and eight levels of time factor (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 days), composing 32 treatments. For the bacteria count variable, the 2×2×4 factorial arrangement was used, that is, two levels of ultraviolet radiation factor (with, or without), two levels of the salinity factor (0 and 2 g L-1), and four levels of the time factor (1, 10, 20, and 40 days), constituting 16 treatments. For the results for survival (S), final mass (FB), mass gain (BG), and feed conversion (FC), during the second experimental phase, a 2×2 factorial arrangement was used, with two levels of the ultraviolet radiation factor (with, or without), and two levels of the salinity factor (0 and 2 g L-1). To evaluate the effect of salinity and ultraviolet radiation factors, the Tukey’s test was used, at 5% probability, to compare the means. The effect of time was assessed by regression analysis, at 5% probability. All results were processed using Sisvar 5.7 software (Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG).

Results and Discussion

During the experimental period, the addition of salt increased the pH; however, no effect of UV radiation, or the interaction between factors could be observed (Table 1). These responses can be attributed to the effect of salinity on bacterial colonies present in water, which may have affected pH. This hypothesis is supported by the possibility that changes in water quality parameters, such as salinity, may affect bacterial activity in RAS (Park et al., 2001PARK, E.-J.; SEO, J.-K.; KIM, M.-R.; JUNG, I.-H.; KIM, J.Y.; KIM, S.-K. Salinity acclimation of immobilized freshwater denitrifier. Aquacultural Engineering, v.24, p.169-180, 2001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0144-8609(01)00062-0.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0144-8609(01)00...
; Lyssenko & Wheaton, 2006LYSSENKO, C.; WHEATON, F. Impact of positive ramp short-term operating disturbances on ammonia removal by trickling and submerged-upflow biofilters for intensive recirculating aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.35, p.26-37, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.08.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
). Water temperature was similar for all treatments. The reduction of water pH throughout the phase 1 to phase 2 can be attributed to the acidifying action of CO2 accumulation from the decomposition of organic matter and fish respiration (Al-Hafedh et al., 2003AL-HAFEDH, Y.S.; ALAM, A.; ALAM, M.A. Performance of plastic biofilter media with different configuration in a water recirculation system for the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Aquacultural Engineering, v.29, p.139-154, 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00065-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00...
; Hamlin et al., 2008HAMLIN, H.J.; MICHAELS, J.T.; BEAULATON, C.M.; GRAHAM, W.F.; DUTT, W.; STEINBACH, P.; LOSORDO, T.M.; SCHRADER, K.K.; MAIN, K.L. Comparing denitrification rates and carbon sources in commercial scale upflow denitrification biological filters in aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.38, p.79-92, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.11.003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.1...
). However, pH values remained within the optimum range for raising tilapia (El-Sheriff & El-Feky, 2009EL-SHERIFF, M.S.; EL-FEKY, A.M.I. Performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. I. Effect of pH. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, v.11, p.297-300, 2009.; Qiang et al., 2011QIANG, J.; WANG, H.; LI, R.; ZHU, X.; PENG, J. Effects of acid and alkaline stress on energy metabolism of Oreochromis niloticus juveniles with different body mass. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, v.22, p.2438-2446, 2011. ), and optimum action of nitrifying bacteria (from 7.5 to 9.0) (Lyssenko & Wheaton, 2006LYSSENKO, C.; WHEATON, F. Impact of positive ramp short-term operating disturbances on ammonia removal by trickling and submerged-upflow biofilters for intensive recirculating aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.35, p.26-37, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.08.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
).

Table 1.
Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and water temperature, for salinity, UV, and experimental phase(1).

The reduction of dissolved oxygen values in the second experimental phase was clearly due to oxygen consumption by fish, oxidation of food residues and waste, as well as the increase of bacterial activity by the increase of nitrogen compounds through the daily feed intake. However, dissolved oxygen remained within ideal levels for the functioning of the biofilter, during the two experimental phases (Table 1). According to Chen et al. (2006)CHEN, S.; LING, J.; BLANCHETON, J.-P. Nitrification kinetics of biofilm as affected by water quality factors. Aquacultural Engineering, v.34, p.179-197, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.09.004.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
, the oxidation of ammonia to nitrate, caused by nitrifying bacteria, can occur in dissolved oxygen concentrations close to 1 mg L-1, although the optimal level is higher than 4 mg L-1. Nitrifying bacteria are tolerant to variations of water quality; however, the maximum efficiency of the removal of nitrogen compounds occurs when physical and chemical parameters of water are at the optimum condition for these bacteria (Colt, 2006COLT, J. Water quality requirements for reuse systems. Aquacultural Engineering, v.34, p.143-156, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.08.011.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
).

The lowest value for alkalinity was observed in the treatment without UV (Table 2). Water alkalinity decreased linearly at 5% probability, between the 5th and 40th experimental days. No significant effects of salinity, or interaction between factors, was observed for alkalinity. Alkalinity, the total bases in water, is of underlying importance for pH stability. The significant effect on alkalinity as a function of time may be attributed to the increase of the production of nitrogen compounds and organic matter, and to carbonate consumption by bacteria. Alkalinity is involved in the complete oxidation of ammonia, when carbonate and bicarbonate are used as nutrients by nitrifying bacteria (Chen et al., 2006CHEN, S.; LING, J.; BLANCHETON, J.-P. Nitrification kinetics of biofilm as affected by water quality factors. Aquacultural Engineering, v.34, p.179-197, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.09.004.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
). For this reason, there is a reduction of total alkalinity and pH, making it necessary to correct alkalinity during cultivation (Al-Hafedh et al., 2003AL-HAFEDH, Y.S.; ALAM, A.; ALAM, M.A. Performance of plastic biofilter media with different configuration in a water recirculation system for the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Aquacultural Engineering, v.29, p.139-154, 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00065-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00...
; Hamlin et al., 2008HAMLIN, H.J.; MICHAELS, J.T.; BEAULATON, C.M.; GRAHAM, W.F.; DUTT, W.; STEINBACH, P.; LOSORDO, T.M.; SCHRADER, K.K.; MAIN, K.L. Comparing denitrification rates and carbon sources in commercial scale upflow denitrification biological filters in aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.38, p.79-92, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.11.003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.1...
; Martins et al., 2009MARTINS, C.I.M.; PISTRIN, M.G.; ENDE, S.S.W.; EDING, E.H.; VERRETH, J.A.J. The accumulation of substances in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) affects embryonic and larval development in common carp Cyprinus carpio. Aquaculture, v.291, p.65-73, 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2009.03.001.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.20...
). In the present work, despite the reduction, alkalinity remained higher than 50 mg L-1, which is appropriate for tilapia farming and for the proper biofilter functioning (Chen et al., 2006CHEN, S.; LING, J.; BLANCHETON, J.-P. Nitrification kinetics of biofilm as affected by water quality factors. Aquacultural Engineering, v.34, p.179-197, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.09.004.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
; Hamlin et al., 2008HAMLIN, H.J.; MICHAELS, J.T.; BEAULATON, C.M.; GRAHAM, W.F.; DUTT, W.; STEINBACH, P.; LOSORDO, T.M.; SCHRADER, K.K.; MAIN, K.L. Comparing denitrification rates and carbon sources in commercial scale upflow denitrification biological filters in aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.38, p.79-92, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.11.003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.1...
). Because of this fact, no corrections were performed during the experimental period, but future studies of longer durations will likely need to make such corrections.

Table 2.
Alkalinity, total ammonia, and nitrite for salinity, UV, and experimental days(1).

During the experiment, no significant effects of UV, water salinity, or the interaction between them, were observed on ammonia and nitrite (Table 2). The absence of UV effect on ammonia and nitrite levels in fresh, or salinized water, can be attributed to the fact that nitrifying bacteria are located mainly in the biofilter, and not in UV water, as reported by other authors (Summerfelt et al., 2009SUMMERFELT, S.T.; SHARRER, M.J.; TSUKUDA, S.M.; GEARHEART, M. Process requirements for achieving full-flow disinfection of recirculating water using ozonation and UV irradiation. Aquacultural Engineering, v.40, 17-27, 2009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.10.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.1...
; Gullian et al., 2012GULLIAN, M.; ESPINOSA-FALLER, F.J.; NÚÑEZ, A.; LÓPEZ-BARAHONA, N. Effect of turbidity on the ultraviolet disinfection performance in recirculating aquaculture systems with low water exchange. Aquaculture Research, v.43, p.595-606, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011.02866.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011...
). Despite the influence that salinity may have on nitrification (Lyssenko & Wheaton, 2006LYSSENKO, C.; WHEATON, F. Impact of positive ramp short-term operating disturbances on ammonia removal by trickling and submerged-upflow biofilters for intensive recirculating aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering, v.35, p.26-37, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.08.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2005.0...
), in the present study, the low-salinity concentration, in relation to freshwater, did not affect the effectiveness of nitrifying bacteria. However, according to a study by Park et al. (2001)PARK, E.-J.; SEO, J.-K.; KIM, M.-R.; JUNG, I.-H.; KIM, J.Y.; KIM, S.-K. Salinity acclimation of immobilized freshwater denitrifier. Aquacultural Engineering, v.24, p.169-180, 2001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0144-8609(01)00062-0.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0144-8609(01)00...
, an increased salinity from 0 to 30 g L-1 caused 30% decrease of the nitrification efficiency; nonetheless, bacterial activity returned to normal after 10 days of operation.

The RASs employed were efficient in the ammonia removal, irrespective of the treatments used. The ammonia concentration added to each system (3.5 mg L-1) in the first day, was lower five days after starting the experiment, and near 0 mg L-1 within 15 days, after which it remained almost nonexistent even after fish stocking and feeding. The nitrite concentrations increased linearly during the experimental period, with a more pronounced increase after fish stocking until 30 days of the experiment. Ammonia accumulation is one of the main problems faced by aquatic production systems. In the present study, the RASs were efficient at keeping total ammonia within the concentration recommended for tilapia cultivation (Benli et al., 2008BENLI, A.Ç.K.; KÖKSAL, G.; ÖZKUL, A. Sublethal ammonia exposure of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.): effects on gill, liver and kidney histology. Chemosphere, v.72, p.1355-1358, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.04.037.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.20...
). Al-Hafedh et al. (2003)AL-HAFEDH, Y.S.; ALAM, A.; ALAM, M.A. Performance of plastic biofilter media with different configuration in a water recirculation system for the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Aquacultural Engineering, v.29, p.139-154, 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00065-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00...
also reported values of total ammonia lower than 1 mg L-1 TA-N (total ammonia - nitrogen) in a RAS during tilapia cultivation. Our results show the need of a greater system uptime for the efficient removal of nitrite. Ammonia and nitrite concentrations in RASs have been reported by other studies evaluating the biofilter efficiency (Kuhn et al., 2010KUHN, D.D.; DRAHOS, D.D.; MARSH, L.; FLICK JR., G.J. Evaluation of nitrifying bacteria product to improve nitrification efficacy in recirculating aquaculture systems. Aquacultural Engineering, v.43, p.78-82, 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2010.07.001.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2010.0...
).

On the 30th day, nitrite concentration reached values of approximately 9 mg L-1 NO2-N. Nitrite concentration in the tanks was actually too high, as a concentration lower than 0.2 mg L-1 is suggested for tilapia comfort in cultivation (Yanbo et al., 2006YANBO, W.; WENJU, Z.; WEIFEN, L.; ZIRONG, X. Acute toxicity of nitrite on tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at different external chloride concentrations. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, v.32, p.49-54, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-005-5744-2.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-005-5744-...
). This result was higher than the 2 mg L-1 NO2-N reported by Shnel et al. (2002)SHNEL, N.; BARAK, Y.; EZER, T.; DAFNI, Z.; RIJN, J. van. Design and performance of a zero-discharge tilapia recirculating system. Aquacultural Engineering, v.26, p.191-203, 2002., and the 0.5 mg L-1 NO2-N reported by Al-Hafedh et al. (2003)AL-HAFEDH, Y.S.; ALAM, A.; ALAM, M.A. Performance of plastic biofilter media with different configuration in a water recirculation system for the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Aquacultural Engineering, v.29, p.139-154, 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00065-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00...
, who reared tilapia in RAS. However, in the present experiment, the time of exposure was short because the nitrite concentration reduced after 30 days. The lethal concentration (LC50-96 hours) of nitrite for tilapia juveniles was estimated at 81 mg L-1 (Atwood et al., 2001ATWOOD, H.L.; FONTENOT, Q.C.; TOMASSO, J.R.; ISELY, J.J. Toxicity of nitrite to Nile tilapia: effect of fish size and environmental chloride. North American Journal of Aquaculture, v.63, p.49-51, 2001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8454(2001)063<0049:TONTNT>2.0.CO;2.
https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8454(2001)0...
), which shows the tolerance of tilapia to high-nitrite concentrations.

For the bacteria count during the RASs operation, a significant effect was recorded for UV only, with lower bacterial counts in the presence of UV (Table 3). No effect was observed for salinity, sample time, or interaction between factors. Our results corroborate those of some authors for the use of UV, which was previously found to be effective in the reduction of bacterial load, in freshwater (Sharrer & Summerfelt, 2007SHARRER, M.J.; SUMMERFELT, S.T. Ozonation followed by ultraviolet irradiation provides effective bacteria inactivation in a freshwater recirculating system. Aquacultural Engineering, v.37, p.180-191, 2007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.05.001.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2007.0...
; Gullian et al., 2012GULLIAN, M.; ESPINOSA-FALLER, F.J.; NÚÑEZ, A.; LÓPEZ-BARAHONA, N. Effect of turbidity on the ultraviolet disinfection performance in recirculating aquaculture systems with low water exchange. Aquaculture Research, v.43, p.595-606, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011.02866.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011...
), and saltwater (Attramadal et al., 2012ATTRAMADAL, K.J.K.; ØIE, G.; STØRSETH, T.R.; ALVER, M.O.; VADSTEINS, O.; OLSEN, Y. The effects of moderate ozonation or high intensity UV-irradiation on the microbial environment in RAS for marine larvae. Aquaculture, v.330-333, p.121-129, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2011.11.042.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.20...
). Future studies assessing which species of bacteria are affected by UV and salt would be important. It is known that salt can be used in the prevention and control of diseases (Németh et al., 2013NÉMETH, S.; HORVÁTH, Z.; FELFÖLDI, Z.; BELICZKY, G.; DEMETER, K. The use of permitted ectoparasite disinfection methods on young pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) after transition from over-wintering lake to RAS. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation, v.6, p.1-11, 2013.), to decrease the toxicity of nitrogenous compounds and to reduce the stress of animals (Sampaio et al., 2002SAMPAIO, L.A.; WASIELESKY, W.; MIRANDA-FILHO, K.C. Effect of salinity on acute toxicity of ammonia and nitrite to juvenile Mugil platanus. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, v.68, p.668-674, 2002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001280306.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s001280306...
). Survival, final mass, mass gain, and feed conversion of tilapia were not affected by UV radiation nor water salinity in the evaluated time. In addition, there was no interaction between these factors (Table 4). The survival and growth performance data were satisfactory and similar in all treatments. Working with larvae of tilapia held in fresh and brackish water (2 g L-1 salt), Luz et al. (2013)LUZ, R.K.; SANTOS, A.E.H.; MELILLO FILHO, R.; TURRA, E.M.; TEIXEIRA, E. de A. Larvicultura de tilápia em água doce e água salinizada. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.48, p.1150-1153, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2013000800051.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X201300...
reported similar results. Another study showed the possibility of growing adult tilapia in salinized water (8 g L-1), with 98% survival rate (Chowdhury et al., 2006CHOWDHURY, M.; YI, Y.; LIN, C.K.; EL-HAROUN, E.R. Effect of salinity on carrying capacity of adult Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. in recirculating systems. Aquaculture Research, v.37, p.1627-1635, 2006. DOI: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2006.01605.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2006...
). Moreover, tilapia is known to show a wide tolerance to water-salinity gradients (Iqbal et al., 2012IQBAL, K.J.; QURESHI, N.A.; ASHRAF, M.; REHMAN, M.H.U.; KHAN, N.; JAVID, A.; ABBAS, F.; MUSHTAQ, M.M.H.; RASOOL, F.; MAJEED, H. Effect of different salinity levels on growth and survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus). The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, v.22, p.919-922, 2012.), and it can tolerate salinity up to 20 g L-1, when adapted by a gradual salinity increase (Sousa et al., 2010SOUSA, T.R.P. de; SANTOS, C.J.A.; SANTOS, D.L.; QUEIROZ, A.C. dos S.; MENDES, P. de P. Desempenho zootécnico da tilápia nilótica linhagem chitralada sob influência da salinidade. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia de Pesca, v.5, p.10-18, 2010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18817/repesca.v5i1.150.
https://doi.org/10.18817/repesca.v5i1.15...
). The values (1.7) we found for feed conversion (FC) were better than those reported for other tilapia reared in RASs. Al-Hafedh et al. (2003)AL-HAFEDH, Y.S.; ALAM, A.; ALAM, M.A. Performance of plastic biofilter media with different configuration in a water recirculation system for the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Aquacultural Engineering, v.29, p.139-154, 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00065-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0144-8609(03)00...
evaluated different biofilters, and they found FC = 1.90, using fish of 100.0 g. Shnel et al. (2002)SHNEL, N.; BARAK, Y.; EZER, T.; DAFNI, Z.; RIJN, J. van. Design and performance of a zero-discharge tilapia recirculating system. Aquacultural Engineering, v.26, p.191-203, 2002. found FC = 2.03 for a system with zero water exchange, using fish of 28.4 g. The difference between these studies and ours may be associated with the lower initial weight of the animals used (approximately 13 g).

Table 3.
Bacteria count for salinity, UV, and experimental days(1).
Table 4.
Means (±standard deviation) for survival, final mass, mass gain and feed conversion (FC), during the second experimental phase(1).

Conclusions

  1. The use of low salinity and ultraviolet (UV) radiation do not affect the nitrification process.

  2. The use of UV is efficient to decrease the bacterial load in recirculating aquaculture systems.

  3. Zootechnical performance is not affected by the practice of the combined use of UV radiation and low salinity.

Acknowledgments

To Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (Fapemig), for financial support. R.K. Luz is research fellowship of CNPq (Process no. 308547/2018-7).

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    » https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-005-5744-2

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    17 Aug 2020
  • Date of issue
    2020

History

  • Received
    12 Feb 2020
  • Accepted
    31 Mar 2020
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