Collaborators:
Parker Savage, Devin Stafford, and Thayer Thomas
Introduction and Problem:
Long before the term “aquaponics” was coined in the 1970s the Aztec Indians raised plants on rafts on the surface of a lake in about 1,000 A.D. In modern times, aquaponics emerged from the aquaculture industry as fish farmers were exploring methods of raising fish while trying to decrease their dependence on the land, water and other resources. Aquaponics in its most simplest terms is the marriage of aquaculture (raising of fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the growing plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the water the fish live in. According to one scientist, “No fertilizers, pesticides or chemical nutrients are needed. Since water is reused through biological filtration and continually circulated in a closed-loop systems – with only a small amount lost through transpiration and evaporation –additional irrigation is also not necessary” (BAQUA.org). Moreover, aquaponics can easily incorporate renewable technology, thus making it even less energy dependent.
Because of all these positive advantages in designing and creating an aquaponics system that is successful, we decided to build one of our own to test how effective the system can be. While the structure was under construction, fish were added to the fish pond in order to begin the marriage of aquaculture and hydroponics. After a week of living in a nearly-completed aquaponics system, we discovered significant algal growth in the fish pond. Because of this significant increase in algae within the water, we decided to not only complete construction of a successful aquaponics system but to also find alternative ways to decrease algal blooms in the fish pond. By gathering nitrogen, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen levels from the fish pond water, we can properly determine how each is being affected and conclude whether or not the movement of water is helpful to these overall levels. In this lab, we will be constructing an aquaponics system to try to answer the questions: "How can one naturally remove algae and prevent further growth in a pond that has already gone through an algal bloom? Will the installation of aquaponic plant beds help restore the water after eutrophication?" In answering this question, I hope to find whether aquaponics is the correct solution to clean water scarcity and irrigation difficulties along with an effective way to decrease algae growth within a fish pond.
Hypothesis:
The installation of aquaponic plant beds will decrease the effects of eutrophication in the pond at HHS. These beds will cause the nutrient levels of the water to balance because of the presence of the plants in the ecosystem.
Variables and Problems:
This lab was very successful in one sense, that sense being that after two long weeks of work we finally worked out our problems and were able to create an aquaponics system. Through this process and eventual success we did learn quite a lot about how water works, as well as how different angles and height can affect the integrity of a structure (physics). The reason that this lab does not and cannot answer the question and problem that was posed at the beginning is that it has far too many variables that could not be avoided. Variables that should have been controlled could not be therefore any data taken is invalid in regards to the proving or disproving of our hypothesis. When we designed this lab we did not account for many things first off, that the water used to fill the original basin was full of fertilizers. This water was used unbeknownst to us but, it still had a major impact on the levels of algal growth present in the water. Secondly, required increase of water by 100% in order to have plant growth also had a large impact on the eutrophication levels. Simply by adding this much unaffected, water we diluted the materials that were causing the eutrophication. At this point water readings would be completely incomparable to those made in the control group. The addition of a pump to the system also removes our data’s credibility because it suddenly makes a still body of water that has gone through eutrophication a running body of water. This causes a more rapid increase in DO do to higher exposure to air as well as creating small areas of falling water which also places air in the water. Finally the addition of rocks and small sediments in order to encourage growth of plants completely changes the balance of nutrients in the water as phosphates and nitrates stored in the rock are slowly released into the water supply. With all of this in mind here are the list of variables that were intended to be tested in with the design of our lab.
Parts of the Experiment:
Materials:
Methods and Procedure:
1. Research successes and failures of an aquaponics system installation.
2. Sketch and design an aquaponics system to fit the Phytoremediation Algae Lab requirements.
3. Begin a detailed sketch of the system with exact calculations and measurements.
4. Collect plants and gather materials to construct plant beds and fish pond.
5. Start building process by drilling and constructing the fish pond, then plant bed #1, and finally plant bed #2.
6. Set up concrete blocks for the plant beds to rest on and measure height of each for exact angles of elevation. Cut an opening in each plant box for the drains.
7. Insert lining into the plant beds and fish pond by nailing every 6-8" along the top seam of the side board.
8. Cut out opening in the lining for the drain to fit tightly. Use multiple clamps to tighten around the seams of the lining to be sure no water escapes or leaks.
9. After the fish box is completely and properly lined, pour calculated gallons of water into the pond and introduce goldfish to their new home.
10. Set up and align each plant box so that the slope of each is exact to that of the prior measurements and calculations.
11. Gather rocks and pebbles. Starting with lava rocks, pour 11 bags into plant bed #2 so that the rocks cover the box floor. Next, pour 4 bags of river pebbles on top of the lava rocks. Finally, pour 3 bags or pea pebbles atop the river pebbles to create a thin layer. Be sure to pour no pea pebbles around the drain as they will fall through into the fish pond.
12. Make sure that all pumps and pipes are properly installed and tightly fastened throughout the system.
13. Turn on pump and begin pumping fish-waste water into the top of plant bed #1. Be sure to check for any leaks or tears in the lining as this might cause complications later on.
14. Insert foam board and sponge plants to plant bed #1.
15. Gather water samples and record nitrogen, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen levels over a three day period. Compare these three days to the initial control day. Also record qualitative observations throughout.
Data and Data Analysis:
Parker Savage, Devin Stafford, and Thayer Thomas
Introduction and Problem:
Long before the term “aquaponics” was coined in the 1970s the Aztec Indians raised plants on rafts on the surface of a lake in about 1,000 A.D. In modern times, aquaponics emerged from the aquaculture industry as fish farmers were exploring methods of raising fish while trying to decrease their dependence on the land, water and other resources. Aquaponics in its most simplest terms is the marriage of aquaculture (raising of fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the growing plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the water the fish live in. According to one scientist, “No fertilizers, pesticides or chemical nutrients are needed. Since water is reused through biological filtration and continually circulated in a closed-loop systems – with only a small amount lost through transpiration and evaporation –additional irrigation is also not necessary” (BAQUA.org). Moreover, aquaponics can easily incorporate renewable technology, thus making it even less energy dependent.
Because of all these positive advantages in designing and creating an aquaponics system that is successful, we decided to build one of our own to test how effective the system can be. While the structure was under construction, fish were added to the fish pond in order to begin the marriage of aquaculture and hydroponics. After a week of living in a nearly-completed aquaponics system, we discovered significant algal growth in the fish pond. Because of this significant increase in algae within the water, we decided to not only complete construction of a successful aquaponics system but to also find alternative ways to decrease algal blooms in the fish pond. By gathering nitrogen, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen levels from the fish pond water, we can properly determine how each is being affected and conclude whether or not the movement of water is helpful to these overall levels. In this lab, we will be constructing an aquaponics system to try to answer the questions: "How can one naturally remove algae and prevent further growth in a pond that has already gone through an algal bloom? Will the installation of aquaponic plant beds help restore the water after eutrophication?" In answering this question, I hope to find whether aquaponics is the correct solution to clean water scarcity and irrigation difficulties along with an effective way to decrease algae growth within a fish pond.
Hypothesis:
The installation of aquaponic plant beds will decrease the effects of eutrophication in the pond at HHS. These beds will cause the nutrient levels of the water to balance because of the presence of the plants in the ecosystem.
Variables and Problems:
This lab was very successful in one sense, that sense being that after two long weeks of work we finally worked out our problems and were able to create an aquaponics system. Through this process and eventual success we did learn quite a lot about how water works, as well as how different angles and height can affect the integrity of a structure (physics). The reason that this lab does not and cannot answer the question and problem that was posed at the beginning is that it has far too many variables that could not be avoided. Variables that should have been controlled could not be therefore any data taken is invalid in regards to the proving or disproving of our hypothesis. When we designed this lab we did not account for many things first off, that the water used to fill the original basin was full of fertilizers. This water was used unbeknownst to us but, it still had a major impact on the levels of algal growth present in the water. Secondly, required increase of water by 100% in order to have plant growth also had a large impact on the eutrophication levels. Simply by adding this much unaffected, water we diluted the materials that were causing the eutrophication. At this point water readings would be completely incomparable to those made in the control group. The addition of a pump to the system also removes our data’s credibility because it suddenly makes a still body of water that has gone through eutrophication a running body of water. This causes a more rapid increase in DO do to higher exposure to air as well as creating small areas of falling water which also places air in the water. Finally the addition of rocks and small sediments in order to encourage growth of plants completely changes the balance of nutrients in the water as phosphates and nitrates stored in the rock are slowly released into the water supply. With all of this in mind here are the list of variables that were intended to be tested in with the design of our lab.
Parts of the Experiment:
- Independent Variable: Presence of aquaponic plants in the ecosystem
- Dependent Variable: Nitrogen, Phosphate, Dissolved Oxygen levels
- Control Group: Eutrophicated pond water taken before addition of plants
- Experimental Group: Water after the addition of plants
- Controlled Variables: Type of fish used, the source of water, and the position of the pond
Materials:
- Aquaponic plants
- Wood
- Screws
- Drill
- PVC piping
- Pumps
- Goldfish
- Lining
- Nails
- Hammer
- Lava rocks, river pebbles, and pea pebbles
- Concrete blocks
- Hoses and spouts
Methods and Procedure:
1. Research successes and failures of an aquaponics system installation.
2. Sketch and design an aquaponics system to fit the Phytoremediation Algae Lab requirements.
3. Begin a detailed sketch of the system with exact calculations and measurements.
4. Collect plants and gather materials to construct plant beds and fish pond.
5. Start building process by drilling and constructing the fish pond, then plant bed #1, and finally plant bed #2.
6. Set up concrete blocks for the plant beds to rest on and measure height of each for exact angles of elevation. Cut an opening in each plant box for the drains.
7. Insert lining into the plant beds and fish pond by nailing every 6-8" along the top seam of the side board.
8. Cut out opening in the lining for the drain to fit tightly. Use multiple clamps to tighten around the seams of the lining to be sure no water escapes or leaks.
9. After the fish box is completely and properly lined, pour calculated gallons of water into the pond and introduce goldfish to their new home.
10. Set up and align each plant box so that the slope of each is exact to that of the prior measurements and calculations.
11. Gather rocks and pebbles. Starting with lava rocks, pour 11 bags into plant bed #2 so that the rocks cover the box floor. Next, pour 4 bags of river pebbles on top of the lava rocks. Finally, pour 3 bags or pea pebbles atop the river pebbles to create a thin layer. Be sure to pour no pea pebbles around the drain as they will fall through into the fish pond.
12. Make sure that all pumps and pipes are properly installed and tightly fastened throughout the system.
13. Turn on pump and begin pumping fish-waste water into the top of plant bed #1. Be sure to check for any leaks or tears in the lining as this might cause complications later on.
14. Insert foam board and sponge plants to plant bed #1.
15. Gather water samples and record nitrogen, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen levels over a three day period. Compare these three days to the initial control day. Also record qualitative observations throughout.
Data and Data Analysis:
Photographs:
|
Data taken over a three day period:
Analysis:
The data above, though it is not particularly relevant to the lab's problematic question, does bear some brilliance in explaining some of the factors that effected the nutrients besides the plants. The nitrate and phosphate levels did indeed see some minor fluctuations, as nitrates went from 40 to 30 and back up to 40 while phosphate levels changed from 4 to 5 over the three day period. This oscillation is predominantly due the incorporation and decrease of rocks in the system overall. Due to a crack and leak in our first design test, much of the original solid substance was removed. However, in the final product of the project nearly 12 cubic feet of solid rock and pebble mixture was added, as seen in photo 8, in order to create a median in which vegetation could thrive and water could permeate through. These pebbles and rocks, and the running of water through them, causes phosphates to be released into the water, which is why the phosphate level increased. Also, many remains and deposits that were placed in the structure with the rock contain nitrates that dissolved in the water causing those levels to change as well. The fact that the volume of water was nearly doubled throughout this process in order to incorporate room for the plants causes a critical depletion of all of the nutrients as well as adding new ones that were not present when the control data was initially gathered. Therefore the numerical data, shown in the above table, of phosphate and nitrate levels is comparatively irrelevant. The dissolved oxygen did improve, however. I believe that this can be attributed to the creation of a running water system as well as having an oxygen air bubbler installed at the bottom of the fish pond. The increased levels of DO in the water is a good thing because it shows that there were less algae consuming oxygen, so there was still a noteworthy amount of oxygen for the fish to live off of.
Conclusion:
After long working hours and extended time constraints to complete this lab, I can definitely say that my conclusion is inconclusive. Looking directly at our data, our hypothesis holds true because the aquaponics system seems to have cleansed the water and effectively irrigate the plants. In regards to the problem this lab was just too poorly set up in regards to this problem with too short a time limit. This lab, though, has been such a learning experience for me and my fellow group members. The knowledge and skills gained from performing this lab will serve us well into the future as we all become successful environmentalists (that one was for you Ms. Bostic). The final objective is to evolve this system in the next 7-9 months in order to create a fully functioning prototype. Not only will the system be running smoothly with all pipes and drains working properly, but it will also have a pump that is being completely powered by a wind turbine, also designed by us. If successful, a non-profit organization will be born with the sole purpose of building similar units in Africa. We also want to educate the African people on how to build this type of system so that they can take our ideas and write the next "Boy Who Harnessed The Wind" story. In only nine short months this system will be installed with help from the Meet Kate Foundation, an organization that focuses on sustainability in Africa. Many lessons will be taught and learned as Parker Savage and I better our skills and carpenters, chemists, physicists, teachers, and listeners. For the lab's sake, I am convinced that the creation of free flowing water as opposed to standing water is more impactful when it comes to our specific problem. Increased DO levels support this statement as well as a distinct increase in fish activity. The qualitative and quantitative information gathered from this lab is also valuable when it comes time for future models of the system because in the occasion that the fish pond begins to undergo algal blooms, a possible closing of the water recycling valve would solve the problem. When this valve is closed the pressure rises causing a rapid increase in water circulation speeds in plant box #1 to potentially ward off complete algal growth in the fish pond.
Citation(s):
"BiophilicCities." Aquaponics: Growing More with Less. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.
"Get to Know Aquaponics - Backyard Aquaponics." Backyard Aquaponics. N.p., 26 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 May 2015.
"The British Aquaponic Association." British Aquaponics Association The British Aquaponic Association BAQUA CIC Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015. <http://www.baqua.org.uk/>.
The data above, though it is not particularly relevant to the lab's problematic question, does bear some brilliance in explaining some of the factors that effected the nutrients besides the plants. The nitrate and phosphate levels did indeed see some minor fluctuations, as nitrates went from 40 to 30 and back up to 40 while phosphate levels changed from 4 to 5 over the three day period. This oscillation is predominantly due the incorporation and decrease of rocks in the system overall. Due to a crack and leak in our first design test, much of the original solid substance was removed. However, in the final product of the project nearly 12 cubic feet of solid rock and pebble mixture was added, as seen in photo 8, in order to create a median in which vegetation could thrive and water could permeate through. These pebbles and rocks, and the running of water through them, causes phosphates to be released into the water, which is why the phosphate level increased. Also, many remains and deposits that were placed in the structure with the rock contain nitrates that dissolved in the water causing those levels to change as well. The fact that the volume of water was nearly doubled throughout this process in order to incorporate room for the plants causes a critical depletion of all of the nutrients as well as adding new ones that were not present when the control data was initially gathered. Therefore the numerical data, shown in the above table, of phosphate and nitrate levels is comparatively irrelevant. The dissolved oxygen did improve, however. I believe that this can be attributed to the creation of a running water system as well as having an oxygen air bubbler installed at the bottom of the fish pond. The increased levels of DO in the water is a good thing because it shows that there were less algae consuming oxygen, so there was still a noteworthy amount of oxygen for the fish to live off of.
Conclusion:
After long working hours and extended time constraints to complete this lab, I can definitely say that my conclusion is inconclusive. Looking directly at our data, our hypothesis holds true because the aquaponics system seems to have cleansed the water and effectively irrigate the plants. In regards to the problem this lab was just too poorly set up in regards to this problem with too short a time limit. This lab, though, has been such a learning experience for me and my fellow group members. The knowledge and skills gained from performing this lab will serve us well into the future as we all become successful environmentalists (that one was for you Ms. Bostic). The final objective is to evolve this system in the next 7-9 months in order to create a fully functioning prototype. Not only will the system be running smoothly with all pipes and drains working properly, but it will also have a pump that is being completely powered by a wind turbine, also designed by us. If successful, a non-profit organization will be born with the sole purpose of building similar units in Africa. We also want to educate the African people on how to build this type of system so that they can take our ideas and write the next "Boy Who Harnessed The Wind" story. In only nine short months this system will be installed with help from the Meet Kate Foundation, an organization that focuses on sustainability in Africa. Many lessons will be taught and learned as Parker Savage and I better our skills and carpenters, chemists, physicists, teachers, and listeners. For the lab's sake, I am convinced that the creation of free flowing water as opposed to standing water is more impactful when it comes to our specific problem. Increased DO levels support this statement as well as a distinct increase in fish activity. The qualitative and quantitative information gathered from this lab is also valuable when it comes time for future models of the system because in the occasion that the fish pond begins to undergo algal blooms, a possible closing of the water recycling valve would solve the problem. When this valve is closed the pressure rises causing a rapid increase in water circulation speeds in plant box #1 to potentially ward off complete algal growth in the fish pond.
Citation(s):
"BiophilicCities." Aquaponics: Growing More with Less. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.
"Get to Know Aquaponics - Backyard Aquaponics." Backyard Aquaponics. N.p., 26 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 May 2015.
"The British Aquaponic Association." British Aquaponics Association The British Aquaponic Association BAQUA CIC Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015. <http://www.baqua.org.uk/>.