Abstract

LADINO-ORJUELA, Guillermo. Carbon dynamics in aquaculture ponds. Orinoquia [online]. 2011, vol.15, n.1, pp.48-61. ISSN 0121-3709.

Aquaculture ponds'carbon dynamicsare dominated by physical, chemical and biological transformations in feed and organic and inorganic fertilisation. Increasedfish productionhas been associated with an increase incarbon inputin the form of fish-feed exceeding ponds'metabolic capacity,thereby leading to water quality deteriorating due toan accumulationof organic compounds. Water quality is a major constraint in terms of increasedfish crop density. The most important carbon loss within aproduction system is associated with CO₂evaporation;this makes aquaculture ponds become carbon footprints instead of carbon sinks. Phytoplankton is the major means of CO₂ retentionas it captures both that produced by the respiration of all organisms within a particularpond and within the atmosphere. Aquaculture production systemsusually have a negativeorganic carbon balance; however,higher carbon recovery is possible but this involves adjusting management practiceand increasedresearch into the pertinent dynamics. Feed, feedingpractices, the speciesbeing cultivated, water exchange, aeration, pond depth and the microorganisms living in a pondare factorswhich affect the biogeochemical carboncycle in aquaculture ponds.

Keywords : Carbon footprint; CO₂ sink; pond-basedaquaculture; carbonate system; alkalinity.

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