Researchers found digesting fish waste allows circular fish and vegetable farms (aquaponics) to produce biogas, which can then be fed back into the farms’ energy systems. This also provides excellent nutrition to the plants.
The study was published in the journal, ‘Aquacultural Engineering.’
Until now, fish solid waste was a byproduct with no particular value. However, a research project at the University of Gothenburg has used waste to create biogas, which can help meet the energy needs of aquaponic farms. Victor Lobanov’s dissertation describes this.
Waste is broken down in an anaerobic environment.
“By breaking down fish fecal matter in an anaerobic environment, known as digestion, we can obtain a concentrated gas mixture of 70 percent methane that can be used as fuel. This can make aquaponics a source of energy,” said Victor Lobanov, doctoral student of marine biology at the University of Gothenburg.
The study also shows that the nutrients released in the digestion of waste are more easily available for plants compared to synthetic nutrition solutions.
Read more at theprint.in