see CDC Aquaponics data

37 Pages·2010·2.06 MB·English

by  Mark J. Brotman

So What is Aquaponics
Nick Savidov
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Crop Diversification Centre, Brooks, AB
For Canadian Greenhouse Conference
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Toronto
Challenges in Agriculture
Limited resources

Environmental impact and nutrient management

High energy input

Economic sustainability of greenhouse

operations
Existing markets are near to saturation in

Europe and North America
How we can address those challengies? Is there
“magic bullet”, which will make greenhouse industry
more sustainable and environmentally friendly in 21st
century?
We need to continue looking for new ideas, “out-
of-box” solutions. In future, we may need to
completely change our agricultural paradigm, the
way we produce food today.
The solution may already exist today, but we
are not fully aware of it.
Example: Integrated Production Systems, like
aquaponics, can be one of the answers
What is aquaponics?
Aquaculture + Hydroponics = Aquaponics
Clean water Cleaning Circuit
Nutrient Rich Water Aeration
Solids Removal
What is wrong with this definition?

Fact 1: In conventional
hydroponics and aquaculture
systems microorganisms are not
desirable
Fact 2: In integrated
systems microflora
is an inherent part of
the system
The Basic Process:
Fish provide source of nutrients,
microorganisms convert organic
waste and toxic compounds like
ammonium into soluble nutrients
available for plants, plants utilize
soluble salts regenerating water
for fish production
Technically, aquaponics is
an example of
Integrated Production
System based on
recirculating technology
incorporating fish and plant
production in one closed
loop
Biologically,
aquaponics is an
example of
artificial ecosystem
or agro-ecosystem
designed for a
purpose of food
production