Sustainable systems for integrated fish and vegetable production: new perspectives on aquaponics

Description

Aquaponics integrates fish and seafood rearing (aquaculture) with soilless production of horticultural produce (hydroponics). Engineered systems of this kind meet the challenges posed by global population growth, urbanization, global climate change, limited access to resources for agricultural activities and sustainability. This chapter reviews and analyses three distinct habitats in the aquaponics system: the fish rearing unit, the water treatment unit and the crop production unit. The chapter describes processes and mechanisms relevant to aquaponics, separating loops and flows within the culture system (water, trophic levels, microorganisms) and impacts on global cycles (food safety, sustainability). Finally, the chapter looks ahead to future trends in this field.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Terminology of aquaponics systems 3 Aquaponics system design 4 Flows in aquaponics systems 5 Assessing aquaponics systems for food safety 6 Assessing aquaponics systems for sustainability 7 Future trends and conclusion 8 References