Shrimp and fish pond soils: processes and management

The pond bottom soil and the accumulated sediments are integral parts of ponds. Concentrations of nutrients, organic matter and microorganism density in the pond bottom are several orders of magnitude greater than in the water. The accumulation of organic sediments may limit pond intensification. The intensive organic matter degradation at the pond bottom and high sediment oxygen demand exceeds the oxygen renewal rate. This leads to the development of anoxic conditions in the sediments and at the sediment-water interface. A series of anaerobic processes, affected by the redox potential of the system, are taking place. A large number of potentially toxic materials are generated. Among those are organic acids, reduced organic sulfur compounds, reduced manganese and sulfides. Shrimp, as animals that normally live on or near the bottom, are exposed to conditions on the pond bottom. Exposure to toxic materials endanger the well being of the cultured shrimp. Reduced feeding, slower growth, mortality and possibly higher sensitivity to disease are reported. The rational use of aerators to minimize the area of sludge accumulation, construction of ponds to trap sludge, stirring sediments, chemical poising of the redox system and environmentally accepted treatment and reuse of drained sediments are means to control the conditions at the pond bottom. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.