Chapter 1

General Introduction

Chapter 1 General Introduction

1. Background of the study
Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic animals and plants has

tumed out to be an important industry world wide. Aquaculture

production systems used across the world differ Widely depending on

the species being cultured, the geographical location and

socioeconomic context. Extensive, semi-intensive and intensive
methods can be employed to produce shrimp and sh. Extensive
methods have proved economically viable in the brackishwater area
(Beveridge, 1987). Environmental issues have always been a point of

debate in shrimp farm development. While the harvest from capture

sheries around the world has stagnated, aquaculture is viewed as a

sound option to increase sh production and to play a vital role in

providing food and nutritional security. However, the shrimp farming

sector has been strongly opposed by environmental groups on many

occasions not only in India but in many other countries around the
globe. Legal interventions have been sought to curtail shrimp culture

to preserve the coastal environment and the ecologl. Though the

polarization of opinion on the adverse impact of aquaculture in the
nineties was very strong, there are signs of more tolerance lately to

accommodate diverse views and opinions to allow development of

shrimp farming in an environment friendly and sustainable manner.

In India, commercial shrimp farming started gaining roots

during the mid-eighties only and during this period, this actually
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 1

Chapter 1 General Introduction

attained peak in most of neighboring Asian countries especially China

and Taiwan. Shrimp culture begun booming in early l990s in India.

However, the industry collapsed in 1995 - 96 due to disease

outbreaks. Since then, shrimp aquaculture industry is facing severe
criticism for the adoption of unsustainable culture practices, such as
the discharge of pond water with high nutrients. Nitrogen plays a key

role in aquaculture systems due to its dual functioning as a nutrient

and toxicant. The excessive accumulation of toxic inorganic nitrogen

in culture systems deteriorates the pond system by reducing the

growth rate and survival rate of cultured organisms. Most of the
coastal states in India are new to commercial scale shrimp farming.

The lack of awareness on good farming practices and appropriate

extension services have in fact led to a host of problems.

2. Sustainable development of shrimp farming - some

~

issues for consideration

It is generally accepted that the days of maximum production

oriented unsustainable shrimp farming practices are gone. Present

day production has to take note of not only the markets but a host of

technical issues as well as the concerns of the environment. The

subject matter of sustainable shrimp farming is broad from farm level

management practices to integration of shrimp farming into coastal

area management, shrimp health management and policy,

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 2

Chapter - 1 General Introduction

socioeconomic and legal issues. The Aquaculture Authority permits
stocking of post larvae up to 6 nos m-2 for farms within the CRZ and

up to 10 nos m-2 outside the CRZ (Aquaculture Authority News,

2006). It is gratied to see that high percentage of farms are

embracing low stocking densities in the country and enjoying a high

success rate in doing so. The low stocking densities are working in
terms of economics as well. Adoption of low stocking densities will be

one of the key elements of sustainability in the years to come and

needs to be promoted among the shrimp farmers.

The sustainability of the shrimp farming in Kerala is facing

severe risks and crisis like degradation of estuarine ecosystem due to

indiscriminate discharge of shrimp farm efuents loaded with high

inorganic nitrogen, crop loss due to poor environmental conditions

and recurrence of diseases due to the stress and strain the farmed

shrimps are prone to. The shrimp farming sector has received
criticism for excessive use of formulated feed containing high protein

shrimp feed, of which around 50% is getting accumulated at the pond

bottom as unconsumed (Avnimelech, 1999; Hari et al., 2004; Hari ct

a1., 2006). The waste materials accumulated with the feces from the

cultured stock, dead organism and organic fertilizers undergo

decomposition. Thus, shrimps are exposed to toxic ammonia-N and

nitrite*N, which are responsible for stress and strain in cultured

shrimps. After oxygen, ammonia-N is the second most limiting factor

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 3

Chapter 1 General Introduction

in the culture system for shrimp stocking density (Raveh and
Avnimelech, 1979; Blackburn et al., 1988; Piedrahita, 1988; Krom
and Neori, 1989; van Dam, 1990; Colt and Oriwicz, 1991; Hargreaves,

1998; Monroya et al., 1999). Furthermore, the discharge of inorganic

nitrogen rich pond effluents increases pollution in the main water

sources. Maintenance of good water quality with minimum water

exchange and retention of nitrogenous nutrient input into harvestable

products are thus emerging as most important requirements for

sustainable shrimp farming.

3. Development of shrimp aquaculture in India

India, by virtue of having 8118 km long coastline, 2.02 million
sq. km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extensive geographical

stretch with varied terrain and climate, supports a wide diversity of

inland and coastal wetland habitats. There are 3.9 million ha of

estuaries and 3.5 million ha of brackishwater areas in the country.

Out of this, 1.2 million ha of coastal area have been identied as

suitable for brackishwater aquaculture and by the adoption of

sustainable practices, it can yield optimum quantities of shrimp and
other commercially valuable nsh and shell sh species.

The over exploitation of shrimp from natural sources and the

ever increasing demand for shrimp and shrimp products in the world

food market has resulted in a wide gap between the demand and
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 4

Chapter 1 General Introduction

supply shrimp. This has necessitated the need for exploring new
avenues for increasing shrimp production. The state-wise potential

area and status of shrimp culture development in India is given in

Table 1.1. The estimated brackishwater area suitable for undertaking

shrimp cultivation in India is around 11.91 lakhs ha spread over 10

states and union territories viz. West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh,

Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and

Gujarat. Of this, only around 1.2 lakhs ha are now under shrimp
farming and hence lot of scope exists for entrepreneurs to venture into

this eld. The marine products export from India has been rising over

the years and the current export is worth about US $ 1478 million

(FAO, 2005). The major markets for Indian shrimp are Japan,
Westem Europe and USA. Frozen shrimp is the largest export item in
terms of value contributing 64% of the total export earnings followed
..A . \,..

by frozen cephalopod (15%), frozen sh (11%), dried sh (2%), etc.

'\

Today India stands amongst the major shrimp producing countries in

the world with a growth rate of about 300.0 % over the last decade.

In India, shrimp farming has been traditionally practiced in the

coastal states of West Bengal and Kerala. The traditional trap and
hold farming system was characterized with low production levels of

mixed species of finshes and shell fishes. The importance of

introducing scientic farming techniques will increase production and
protability from the traditional system.

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 5

Chapter 1 General Introduction

Like any other agriculture / animal husbandry practice, shrimp

culture has also been affected by health and disease problems.

Initially, some bacterial diseases in localized shrimp farms with low
mortality rates were noticed. However, viral diseases such as Monodon

baculo virus and white spot virus disease syndrome were reported

from shrimp farms in 1995 followed by a slump in Indian shrimp

farming. Heavy stocking densities and poor farm management

practices were attributed as major reasons for such disease out

breaks in the country.

4. Role of carbohydrate addition in the shrimp culture

system
The tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) is the most
extensively cultured crustacean in South-East Asian countries. This

species is known to possess high growth rate and adapt to various

culture systems. Penaeus monodon is considered as a candidate

species for brackishwater culture. Protein is an essential nutrient for

this culture organism and the major source of ammonium-N in

culture farms is typically protein rich feed. Aquatic animals excrete

ammonium-N, which may accumulate in the pond. Protein is an

expensive feed component and high dependency on artificial feeding

increases feed cost considerably. The expensive protein fraction

should, therefore, be at optimal level. Furthermore, the protein

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 6

Chapter - 1 General Introduction

sparing effect of non-protein nutrients such as carbohydrate may be
effectively utilized for reducing the feed cost. In highly aerated ponds,
ammonium-N is oxidized by bacteria to nitrite-N and nitrate-N. Unlike

carbondioxide, which is released to the air by diffusion or forced

aeration, there is no effective mechanism to remove the nitrogenous

metabolites out of the pond. Thus, intensication of aquaculture

system is inherently associated with enrichment of the water with

ammonium-N and other inorganic nitrogenous species. The

management of such systems depends on developing methods to
remove these compounds from culture pond.

Removal of excessive nitrogen from culture pond is commonly

carried-out by frequent exchange and replacement of pond water.

However this practice is constrained by the following reasons:

1. Environmental regulations prohibit the release of

nutrient rich water into environment;

2. The danger of introducing pathogens into the external

water;

3. The rich expense incurred in pumping huge volume of

water.

Another approach is based on means to encourage and enhance

nitrication of ammonium and nitrites to the relatively inert nitrate

species. This is often done by employing biolters, essentially

immobile surfaces serving as substrate to the nitrifying bacteria. A
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 7

Chapter 1 General Introduction

high surface area with immobilized nitrifying biomass enables a high

nitrifying capacity in a controlled environment. One problem

associated with bioltration is the high cost involved and the need to
treat and digest a large mass of feed residues.

An additional strategy that is getting more attention presently is

the removal of ammonium from water through its assimilation into

microbial proteins by addition of carbonaceous materials to the

system. If properly adjusted, added carbohydrates can potentially
eliminate the problem of inorganic nitrogen accumulation. A further

important aspect of this process is the potential utilization of

microbial proteins as a source of feed protein for sh or shrimp.

This, however, depends upon the ability of the animal to harvest

such bacteria and to digest and utilize the microbial protein. One
obvious constraint is the minimal size of particles that can be taken

up by the sh and shrimp. Taghon (1982) reported that benthic

invertebrates were able to take up microscopic glass bead when they

were coated with proteins. This demonstrates that the chemical

nature of particles may favor their harvesting by cultured organisms.
The fact that relatively large microbial cell clusters are formed due to
occulation, alone or in combination with clay or feed particles (Harris

and Mitchell, 1973; Avnimelech et al., 1982, 1984) and the resultant
microbial protein additionally favors the growth of shrimp and sh.

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 8

Chapter 1 General Introduction

Controlling inorganic nitrogen by manipulating carbon /
nitrogen ratio is a potential method for aquaculture systems. This

approach offers a practical and inexpensive means to reduce the

accumulation of inorganic nitrogen in culture ponds. Such a strategy

can be practiced as an emergency response, ie., addition of a

carbonaceous substrate in case of increased ammonium

concentration. It is possible to add cheap sources of carbohydrates
such as cassava meal and our. However, additional pond aeration
may be required to compensate the additional oxygen consumption.

The conventional control measures include intensive exchange of

pond Water. Furthermore, it is not always practical to stop feeding to

slow down TAN (Total ammonia nitrogen) build up. The proposed
method enables to keep a high biomass and to bring-out a corrective
means in case of failure of conventional control measures.

A more advanced approach is to adjust protein level in feed so

as to avoid the build up of inorganic nitrogen in pond Water. This

approach was tested and proven successfully in intensive ponds that

are continually mixed and aerated. The intensive culture of sh in

these ponds is based on a system that is similar to biotechnological
reactors (Avnimelech, 1998]. The addition of carbohydrates was done

as a part of recycling and increased utilization of protein through the

utilization of microbial proteins. Production and utilization of

microbial proteins (SCP, single-cell protein) have been studied
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 9

Chapter - 1 General Introduction

extensively during the last few decades (Tannenbaum and Wang,
1975). The major problem involved in economically sound utilization

of SCP culture is harvesting, dehydration and packing of the material.

In contrast, for in situ microbial protein culturing in the pond, all

these expensive processing stages are not needed since harvesting is
done by sh and shrimp, as part of the system.

Applicability of the same approach in earthen stagnant ponds is

not trivial and has to be further studied in conventional sh and

shrimp ponds. The addition of carbohydrates to feed may result in an

accelerated sedimentation of organic matter to the pond bottom,

where microbial biomass is not utilized by sh or shrimp and may
increase the organic load in the pond.

The adjustments of the carbon / nitrogen ratio in feed as a

means to control the pond water quality and sediment quality are

studied. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the basic

reactions and mechanisms affecting this process; to demonstrate its

potential; to develop the quantitative means needed to adjust the

carbon / nitrogen ratio and to control inorganic nitrogen

accumulation in the farming system.

5. Periphyton based aquaculture

The term periphyton refers to the microoral community living

attached to the surfaces of submerged objects in water (Wetzel, 1983).

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 1Q

Chapter 1 General Introduction

This denition, however, does not include fungal, bacterial, protozoan

and other attached animal components, which are included in the

German word Aufwuchs. Depending on the substrate types,

periphyton communities are again subdivided as Epilithon grown on

rock, Epipelon on mud or silt, Epipsammon on sand and

Epiphyton on submerged macrophyte substrates. In microbiology,

periphyton is often referred to as Biolms (Nielsen et al., 1997;

Shankar et al., 1998; Shankar and Mohan, 2001). In aquaculture, the

term periphyton has been used in a broader sense. Periphyton is

dened as the entire complex of sessile aquatic biota attached to the

substratum and includes associated detritus and microorganisms.

Thus, the periphyton community comprises bacteria, fungi, protozoa,

phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic organisms and a range of other

invertebrates and their larvae. Any material providing surface area,

including coral reef, branches of different trees, higher aquatic plants,
bamboo, PVC pipes etc., can be used for periphyton production.

The idea of periphyton based aquaculture is originally derived

from the traditional method, (bush trap testing) locally called padal

shing a unique shing method used in the Ashtamudi estuary,

Vambanad is of Kerala (South India). Locally available tree branches

such as mango, mangroves and bamboo poles are placed in shallow

open waters. These branches are known as padals which act as

shrimp and sh aggregating devices. A large number of post larvae of

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 1 1

Chapter 1 General Introduction

shrimp and ngerlings nd shelter beneath the padals, foraging the

peri and epiphyton developed from the submerged twigs and other

structures used to construct them (Thomas et al., 2004), such as

acadjas of Cote Ivory Coast, West Africa (Welcomme, 1972) and the

samarahs of Cambodia (Shankar et al., 1998). Dense masses of tree

branches or bamboo are established in lakes, lagoons or rivers the

sh and shrimp are attracted by the provision of shelter from

predators, suitable breeding habitats and the availability of natural
food. These unique tools used in capture sheries have recently been

considered as models for novel periphyton based aquaculture

systems.

There are two basic food sources for all organisms in extensive

and semi-intensive ponds: primary productivity from algae and

protein rich supplementary feed. Algae produce organic matter by
using solar energy and carbondioxide through photosynthesis which

can be further utilized, indirectly through secondary trophic levels

(zooplankton, benthos, and invertebrates etc.) and directly, through

grazing by sh and shrimp. Heterotrophic microorganisms are

essential components of the food web in these two food source as thus

decompose organic matter and release nutrients which can again be

utilized by algae or consumed by the cultured organism (Colman and

Edwards, 1987; Moriarty, 1997). However, a common assumption

particularly in aquaculture is that the phytoplankton community is

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 12

Chapter - 1 General Introduction

most important in terms of energy fxation and fuelling of the food

web. Research has shown that macrophytes and periphyton are

signicant dominant contributor to primary production (Moss, 1998).

6. Objectives, hypotheses and outline of the thesis

Controlling the inorganic nitrogen by manipulating carbon /

nitrogen ratio is a method gaining importance in aquaculture

systems. Nitrogen control is induced by feeding bacteria with
carbohydrates and through the subsequent uptake of nitrogen from

the water for the synthesis of microbial proteins. The relationship

between addition of carbohydrates, reduction of ammonium and the
production of microbial protein depends on the microbial conversion

coefficient. The carbon / nitrogen ratio in the microbial biomass is

related to the carbon contents of the added material. The addition of

carbonaceous substrate was found to reduce inorganic nitrogen in

shrimp culture ponds and the resultant microbial proteins are taken
up by shrimps. Thus, part of the feed protein is replaced and feeding
costs are reduced in culture systems.

The use of various locally available substrates for periphyton

based aquaculture practices increases production and protability

(NFEP, 1997; Ramesh et al., 1999; Wahab et al., 1999a; Azim et al.,

2001; Keshavanath et al., 2001a; Azim et al., 2002). However, these

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 13

Chapter 1 General Introduction

techniques for extensive shrimp farming have not so far been
evaluated. Moreover, an evaluation of articial substrates together
with carbohydrate source based farming system in reducing inorganic

nitrogen production in culture systems has not yet been carried-out.

Furthermore, variations in water and soil quality, periphyton

production and shrimp production of the whole system have also not
been determined so-far.

This thesis starts with a general introduction (present chapter),

a brief review of the most relevant literature, results of various

experiments and concludes with a summary (Chapter 9). The
chapters are organised conforming to the objectives of the present

study. The major objectives of this thesis are, to improve the

sustainability of shrimp farming by carbohydrate addition and
periphyton substrate based shrimp production and to improve the
nutrient utilisation in aquaculture systems.
The specic objectives of the present study can be outlined as:

1. To optimize the protein percentage in shrimp feeds by the

control of carbon / nitrogen ratio.

2. To evaluate the effect of various mode of carbohydrate

application and diet having various protein levels for the
production and sustainability of Penaeus monodon.

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 14

Chapter - 1 General Introduction

3

To monitor the carbohydrate addition shrimp production

relationship and culture sustainability for increasing the total
revenue of the harvested shrimp and reducing the feed cost.

To examine the stocking density and carbohydrate addition

relationship in the yield and sustainability of Penaeus monodon.

To asses the efficiency of various types of carbohydrates in the

control of inorganic nitrogen and increasing production of

Penaeus monodon.
6 To monitor the substrate based periphyton effect on water and

soil quality parameters and to evaluate the quantitative

production of additional excellent natural food source for the
culture organism.
7 To optimize the fertilization rates in periphyton production in

the absence of shrimp grazing pressure.

8

To asses the combined effects of periphyton and addition of

carbohydrate in the production and sustainability of Penaeus
monodon.

To reduce the water based inorganic nitrogen discharge in to

environment this making shrimp farming more ecologically and
environmentally sustainable.

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 15

Review of Literature

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

Review of Literature
As demand for sh, crustaceans and other aquatic organisms is

increasing and capture sheries reaches its maximum level of

exploitation, food production through aquaculture attracts global
attention. For the successful rearing of tiger prawn, development of a

balanced articial ration is essential (Banerjea, 1967). The optimum

amounts of dietary protein and energy play key roles in the growth of

shrimp in culture ponds (Tiemeier et al., 1965; Hastings, 1967).

Studies in shrimp have indicated that those diets which are low in
both protein and total energy resulted in reduced weight gain (Lee and

Putnam, 1973; Garling and Wilson, 1976). High dietary protein

essential for faster tissue growth and maintenance, is an expensive

component of formulated diets and protein may be catabolised to

meet the energy requirements of somatic growth (Capuzzo and

Lameasten, 1979; Sedgwick, 1979). Higher dietary protein feed
deteriorates the water and soil quality in shrimp grow-out ponds
(Boyd, 1989). Furthermore, Avnimelech and Lacher (1979) and Boyd

(1985) reported that total fed feeds only 50% of the feed is utilized by

the cultured organism. The remaining 50% dietary protein feed is

assumed to constitute feed waste, which is a major source of

ammonium-N (Gaudy and Gaudy, 1980; Heaper, 1988). Colt and

Armstrong (1981) reported that accumulation of toxic inorganic

nitrogen species such as NH4* and N02" in water is one of the major

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 16

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

problems affecting the sustainability of shrimp farming. Ammonia-N
is a highly toxic compound because it can easily cross most biological

membranes and cause pH alterations which may reduce survival

rates and impair various physiological mechanisms (Schmidt-Nielson,
1983; Campbell, 1991). The release of dissolved nutrients by a shrimp

farm leads to an increase in their concentration in the receiving water

body. This increase has been termed as hypernutrication (Gowen

and Bradbury, 1987). Increasing levels of total nitrogen, total

inorganic nitrogen and total phosphorus in shrimp pond water poses
serious environmental problem (Boyd, 1990).

The most widely documented process associated with

commercial culture is the high accumulation of organic matter due to
the deposition of solid waste from undigested feed (Brown et al., 1987;

Gowen et al., 1991). The aquaculture industry is focusing on the

development and renement of water recycling technologies due to

concerns related to the potential negative impacts of production on

the environment (Klontz, 1979; Rosenthal, 1994). Typically,

mechanical ltration removes particulate matter, while biological
ltration removes dissolved wastes, including ammonia (Brune and
Gunther, 1981; Kaiser and Wheaton, 1983; Losordo, 1991). However,

it is not economically viable in a high surface area due to the higher

cost. At the same time, good water quality is essential for ensuring
survival and adequate growth rate (Boyd, 1990; Burford, 1997].

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 17

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

Aquatic animals excrete ammonium, which may accumulate in

the pond bottom. A different approach is to estimate the amount of

carbohydrate needed to be added in order to immobilize the

ammonium excreted by the sh or shrimp in the culture system
(Avnimelech and Lacher, 1979; Boyd, 1985; Muthuwani and Lin,
1996). The manipulation of shrimp culture system for improved water

quality and shrimp production requires a denite understanding of

various physical, chemical and biological processes (Boyd, 1986).

Reduction of dissolved inorganic nitrogen can be established in

intensive, well aerated and circulated sh or shrimp ponds by the
application of organic carbon sources (Avnimelech et al., 1989). The

organic carbon rich substrates such as glucose, cassava and sorghum

meal were used to control carbon / nitrogen ratio (Avnimelech et al.,

1994). The control of inorganic nitrogen accumulation in pond is

based upon carbon metabolism and nitrogen immobilizing microbial

process. Bacteria and other microorganisms use carbohydrates

(sugar, starch and cellulose) as a food, to generate energy and to
produce proteins and new cells (Avnimelech, 1999). The resulting
heterotrophic bacterial production (single cell protein) may be utilized

as a food source of sh and shrimp (Beveridge et al., 1989;

Rahmathulla and Beveridge, 1993; Burford et al., 2004a) and thus

lowering the demand for supplemental feed protein (Avnimelech,

1999). Schroeder (1978) reported that carp can lter out particles
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 18

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

larger than 20 50 um. According to Odum (1968) Mugil cephalus
take up particles small as 10 pm. Interestingly Taghon (1982), found
that benthic invertebrates were able to take up microscopic glass bead
when they were coated with proteins.

Pond production systems in Southern Asian countries are

becoming increasingly reliant on external resources (feed, fertilizers)

to supplement or stimulate autochthonous food production in sh

pond. Hickling (1962) and Heaper (1988) have demonstrated that sh
production in fertilized ponds does not increase in direct proportion to

increased fertilizer addition and that above a certain level, increasing

fertilizer rates does not further increase sh yield. In most feed driven

pond production systems, only about 15 30% of nutrient input is

converted into harvestable products, the remainder being lost to the

sediment, effluent water and the atmosphere (Acosta-Nassar et al.,

1994; Gross et al., 2000). In nutrient rich environment, the substrate
acted merely as a platform for periphyton (Moss, I998). On the other

hand, periphyton biomass in open water habitats strongly depended

on substrates type (Blinn et al., I980; Hansson, 1992; Vymazal and

Richardson, 1995). The amount of periphyton biomass per surface

area was found to be highly variable and was inuenced by water

depth (Konan-Brou and Guiral, 1994; Light and Beardall, 1998;

Keshavanath et al., 2001a), nutrient availability (Elwood et al., 1981;

Fairchild et al., 1985) grazing pressure (Hatcher and Larkum, 1983;

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 19

Chapter - l Review of Literature

Hansson et al., 1987; Hay, 1991; Huchette et al., 2000) and
seasonality, including environmental parameters (Hatcher and
Larkum, 1983; Carpenter, 1986; Bothwell, 1988; Ar et al., 1997;
Ledger and Hildrew et al., 1998).

The term periphyton is applied to the complex of sessile biota

attached to submerged substrata such as stones and sticks and

includes not only algae and invertebrates but also associated detritus

and microorganisms. The assemblage of attached organisms on

submerged surfaces, including associated non-attached fauna are
referred to as periphyton (van Dam et al., 2002). The feasibility of

periphyton based systems has been explored in brackishwater sh

ponds in West Africa (Welcomme, 1972; Hem and Avit, 1994; Konan

brou and Guiral, 1994). Periphyton is a complex matrix of algae and

heterotrophic microbes attached to submerged surfaces in streams

and other shallow waters. It serves as an important food source for
invertebrates and some sh (Apesteguia and Marta, 1979; Newman

and Mclntosh, 1989; Cattaneo et al., 1993). Periphyton based

aquaculture systems offer the possibility of increasing both primary
production and food availability for culture organism (Legenedre et al.,

1989; Hem and Avit, 1994; Guiral et al., 1995; Wahab et al., 1999a).

Greater abundance of net phytoplankton in ponds probably relates to

higher nutrient input in those ponds (Boyd, 1989). Biochemical

oxygen demand and ammonia-nitrogen were most closely related to
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development Q0

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

phytoplankton abundance and community variation in the grow-out
ponds. Ammonia-nitrogen is an important algal nutrient (Boyd, 1989)

and BOD is a measure of the organic material in ponds which is

closely related to phytoplankton communities (Tookwinas and

Songsangjinda, 1999). In shrimp ponds, ammonia concentration was

not signicantly affected by pond depth, although nitrite and nitrate

were inversely related to pond depth (Carpenter et al., 1986).

Presumably, reducing water depth in a pond with a high

phytoplankton density will reduce light limitation of phytoplankton

growth and thereby enhance nutrient uptake (Piedrahita, 1991). A

periphyton mat consists of a solid matrix embedded with bacteria,
algae, protozoa, fungi, zooplankton and small invertebrates (Kalpan et

al., 1987; Bender and Phillips, 2004; Garcia-Meza et al., 2005). The
selection of suitable species (Wahab et al., 1999a; Azim et al., 2001),

selection of locally available substrates and the optimization of

fertilizer dose are the major steps in periphyton based aquaculture. It
is evident that periphytic algae need to be grazed constantly and kept

at low biomass to maintain their high productivity (Hatcher, 1983;

Hay, 1991; Huchette et al., 2000). Trials have demonstrated that sh

production from ponds supplied with additional substrates for

periphyton production is higher than that from substrate free controls
(Legendre et al., 1989; Konan et al., 1991; Hem and Avit, 1994; Guiral

et al., 1995; NFEP, 1997; Wahab et al., 1999a; Azim et al., 2001).
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development Q1

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

phytoplankton abundance and community variation in the growout
ponds. Ammonia-nitrogen is an important algal nutrient (Boyd, 1989)

and BOD is a measure of the organic material in ponds which is

closely related to phytoplankton communities (Tookwinas and

Songsangjinda, 1999). In shrimp ponds, ammonia concentration was

not signicantly affected by pond depth, although nitrite and nitrate

were inversely related to pond depth (Carpenter et al., 1986).

Presumably, reducing water depth in a pond with a high

phytoplankton density will reduce light limitation of phytoplankton

growth and thereby enhance nutrient uptake (Piedrahita, 1991). A

periphyton mat consists of a solid matrix embedded with bacteria,
algae, protozoa, fungi, zooplankton and small invertebrates (Kalpan et

al., 1987; Bender and Phillips, 2004; Garcia-Meza et al., 2005]. The
selection of suitable species (Wahab ct al., 1999a; Azim et al., 2001),

selection of locally available substrates and the optimization of

fertilizer dose are the major steps in periphyton based aquaculture. It
is evident that periphytic algae need to be grazed constantly and kept

at low biomass to maintain their high productivity (Hatcher, 1983;

Hay, 1991; Huchette ct al., 2000). Trials have demonstrated that sh

production from ponds supplied with additional substrates for

periphyton production is higher than that from substrate free controls
(Legendre et al., 1989; Konan et al., 1991; Hem and Avit, 1994; Guiral

et al., 1995; NFEP, 1997; Wahab et al., 1999a; Azim et al., 2001).
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 2 1

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

Laboratory based grazing trails also indicated that algal feeding
species, such as Tilapias, can ingest more plant based food per unit
time when presented as periphyton than as plankton (Dempster et al.,
1993)

Miller and Falace (2000) suggested two mechanisms for

increasing sh production in articial reef based system: (1) the

additional shelter provided by the substrate allows more of the

resource to flow into cultured organism biomass and (2) the new

primary production and attached benthic secondary production

fostered by the articial substrate support a new food web, part of
which will end up in cultured species biomass. Maximum periphyton

biomass level is reported to be coinciding with the euphotic zone

(Konan-Brou and Guiral, 1994; Keshavanath et al., 2001c). Wahab et

al. (1999a) reported 53 genera of periphyton collected from scrap

bamboo in sh ponds among which 12 genera were observed in verity.

Huchette et al. (2000) identied 32 species of diatom as periphyton

along with other micro and macro organisms from both animal and
plant kingdoms growing on articial substrates in Tilapia cages. The

periphyton quantity varied substantially with substrate type,

fertilization level, environment conditions and taxonomic composition

(Paine and Vadas, 1969; Heaper, 1988; Makarevich et al., 1993;

Napolitano et al., 1996; Ledger and Hildrew, 1998; Huchettu et al.,

2000; Keshavanath et al., 2001a). The increased fertilization rate

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 22

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

amplied pond productivity. However, it results in drastic production

of inorganic nitrogen in the culture system (Bormann et al., 1968;

Vitsousek et al., 1979; Schimel and Firestone, 1989; Dail et al., 2001).

Konan-Brou and Guiral (1994) and Keshavanath et al. (200la)

reported that maximum periphytic biomass levels coincided with

photosynthetic compensation and the depth of culture pond. The

biodegradable substrates viz. sugarcane bagasse, paddy straw, dried
water hyacinth (Eichomia crassipes), kanchi, PVC pipes and bamboo

poles were used in the culture system for the periphyton production

but the highest periphyton growth occurred on bamboo poles

(Ramesh et al., 1999; Umesh et al., 1999; Azim, et al., 2001;

Keshavanath et al., 2001a; Azim ct al., 2002; Joice ct al., 2002;
Mridula et al., 2003). Microbial communities containing algae, blue
green algae, bacteria, protists, zooplankton and fungi embedded in an

extracellular polysaccharide matrix develop on submerged surfaces.

Within these communities, autotrophic or heterotrophic biomass

dominates, depending on light, dissolved oxygen and nutrient

availability (Hepher et al., 1989).

Worldwide aquaculture has been increasing rapidly in the last

decade, approximately at an average rate of more than 10% per year
(Muir, 1995; Tacon, 1997; Pedini and Shehadeh, 1997; World Bank,

1998; FAO, 2001), mainly due to the combined effects of increasing

world population (Caddy and Grifths, 1995), and the increasing

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 23

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

demand for aquaculture products in developed countries (Tacon,
1997; Lem and Shehadeh, 1997). Modied extensive production of

juvenile shrimp is gaining increased attention worldwide as a

potential means to improve aquaculture production via application as

a transitional nursery system (i.e. between the hatchery and grow-out

ponds). Stocking juvenile shrimp into grow-out ponds, as opposed to

post larvae, is thought to improve production mainly by; increasing

early survival rates in ponds, because juveniles are likely to be hardier

and therefore more able to adapt to pond conditions (Samocha et al.,

2002), and also to reduced grow-out duration (Samocha et al., 1993;

Peterson and Grifth, 1999). Reduced growth and survival at higher

densities are attributed to a number of factors like, a decrease in the

availability of space and natural food sources (Maguire and Leedow,

1983; Peterson and Griffith, 1999); an increase in adverse shrimp

behavior such as cannibalism (Abdussamad and Thampy, 1994); the

degradation of water quality (Nga et al., 2005); and accumulation of

undesirable sediment (Arnold et al., 2005, 2006). It is believed that

added surface area created by the substrates enhance the

colonization of epiphytic biota, which in turn provides a natural food

supplement for the shrimp (Moss and Moss, 2004; Burford et al.,
2004b). Shrimp was also cultured both with and without the addition
of articial substrates, on the surface of articial substrates colonized

with epiphytic biota, at each density to ascertain if Penaeus monodon

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 24

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

benet from the addition of substrates during intensive production
(Moss and Moss, 2004).

In shrimp culture systems, phytoplankton and bacteria play a

crucial role in the processing of nitrogenous wastes (Shilo and Rimon,

1982; Diab and Shilo, 1988). The use of low protein feed led to a

signicant reduction in the feed based inorganic nitrogen

accumulation in the pond (Li and Lovell, 1992). The addition of
carbohydrate enhances the total heterotrophic bacterial population in

the pond, which in turn results in further reduction of inorganic

nitrogen. Middelburg and Nieuwenhuize (2000a), Benner (2002) and
Bronk (2002) found that the presence of microbial community uptake

the different nitrogenous substrates. Heterotrophic bacteria nitrogen

uptake focused on dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), especially

ammonium-N (NI-14*) and nitrate-N (NO3") as an important nitrogen

source (Antia et al., 1991; Middelburg and Nieuwenhuize, 2000b;

Bronk, 2002; Zehr and Ward, 2002 ; Berman and Bronk, 2003). Thus,

the low toxic inorganic nitrogen levels in the pond (Wahab et al.,
2003) and utilization of microbial cells as feed act as favorable factors

for the augmented shrimp production (Avnimelech, 1999; Burford et

al., 2003, 2004b). The utilization of microbial protein depends on the

ability of the target animal to harvest the bacteria and its ability to
digest and utilize the microbial protein (Avnimelech, 1999). Extensive

conditions and carbohydrate addition to the water column also

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 25

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

resulted in a signicant increase in the THB count, together with
observed lower TAN concentrations in water and sediment (Bronk,

2002). Carbohydrate addition also caused a signicant reduction in

N02--N concentration in the water column, which can be attributed to

low availability of TAN as substrate for nitrication (Avnimelech,

1999; Hari et a.l., 2004). Furthermore, lower TAN in the sediment

positively inuenced the food intake and health of the shrimps

(Avnimelech and Ritvo, 2003). The addition of carbohydrate to
intensively well-mixed production systems will reduce the TAN

concentration through immobilization by bacterial biomass

(Avnimelech and Mokady, 1988; Avnimelech et al., 1989; 1994; and

Avnimelech, 1999). According to Avnimelech (1999) TAN

concentrations were found low (2.0 mg 1'1) in carbohydrate added
shrimp culture, when compared to the ndings of Chen and Tu (1991)

(6.5 mg 1-1) and Thakur and Lin (2003). Cotner et al. (2000) showed

that water samples collected from Florida Bay having a TAN

concentration of 7.4 - 17.1 pg 1'1 enhanced microbial growth with
glucose addition. Water exchange in ponds is limited or even null,

leading to the accumulation of organic residue and to the

development of dense heterotrophic microbial population (McIntosh,
2000; Avnimelech, 2003). In intensive aquaculture systems, inorganic

nitrogen, including toxic ammonia and nitrite accumulate in the water

(Mclntosh, 2000). This problem is prevented through the addition of

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 26

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

carbonaceous substrates leading assimilation of the soluble inorganic

nitrogen and its incorporation into microbial protein (Chamberlain et

al., 2001; Tacon et al., 2002). The microbial protein, aggregated in

microbial flocs serves as a rich source of amino acids and growth

factors to sh and shrimp, leading to a signicant recycling of protein
and higher utilization of feed (Avnimelech et al., 1994; Chamberlain et

al., 2001; Tacon et al., 2002). Recent research showed that

carbohydrate addition in extensive shrimp ponds improved the
nitrogen retention efficiency and had a positive effect on production
(Hari et al., 2004).

The shrimp growth recorded in carbohydrate added culture

conditions was not limited by any of the water quality parameters as
they fell in the favorable limits for Penaeus monodon production (Chen

et al., 1990; Hariati et al., 1996). The comparable net shrimp yield
and FCR showed the possibility of reducing the dietary protein level in

favor of addition of carbohydrate to the water column without any

signicant reduction in shrimp production (Hari et al., 2004). The

reduction in TAN and N02--N levels observed in carbohydrate added

treatments could only be attributed to the increased THB population,

which immobilized TAN for the synthesis of new bacterial cells (Hari et

al., 2004). Burford et al. (2004b) suggested that occulated particles

rich in bacteria and phytoplankton could contribute substantially to

the nutrition of the Litopenaeus vannamei in intensive shrimp ponds.

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 27

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

Survival rates were similar in various experiments showed that

water and sediment quality were favorable for Penaeus monodon

cultivation (Hariati et al., 1996). Shrimp rely on natural foods even in

fed ponds. Studies using stable isotope have shown that the natural

biota can contribute to shrimp nutrition in less intensive systems

(Parker and Anderson, 1989; Cam et al., 1991; Burford, 2000).

Focken et al. (1998) found that 71% natural food in the stomachs of
Penaeus monodon in semiintensively managed fed pond. Four to ten

percent of 15N-enriched natural biota were retained by shrimp within

48 hours (Burford, 2000). OKeefe (1998) suggested a reduced dietary

protein level (25 - 30%) for Penaeus monodon in extensive type of

shrimp culture systems against 30 40% and 40 50% in semi
intensive and intensive type of culture, respectively. Depending on the

culture system, 16 - 21% of the total amount of nitrogen available in

the system was retained in shrimp biomass. These values concur with

14% retention in semi intensive Penaeus vannamei ponds (Teichet

Coddington et al., 2000), 18% retention in semi-intensive Thai

shrimps ponds (Briggs and Funge-Smith, 1994) and 21 22%
retention in intensive Penaeus monodon shrimps ponds (Jackson et

al., 2003). However, in closed intensive Penaeus monodon rearing

systems, a 23 - 31% N recovery was recorded (Thakur and Lin, 2003).

The nitrogen budget in the carbohydrate added shrimp culture system

revealed that 16 - 21% of the total nitrogen input was retained in the
Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 28

Chapter - 1 Review of Literature

shrimp, 0.22 - 0.49% in the water, 67 - 71% in the sediment, and 2.1
- 2.7% was lost through water exchange (Hari et al., 2006). Extensive

shrimp farming with low water exchange pollutes less surrounding

surface waters than all other shrimp farming systems (Hari et al.,
2006y

Carbon / nitrogen ratio optimization and periphyton development 29