Challenges Faced by Todays Aquaculture Industry
Challenges faced by todays aquaculture industry

Aquaculture is the farming and husbandry of the aquatic organism under controlled or semi-controlled conditions. Aquaculture is the tool to fill in the gap of the seafood supply. Not only is aquaculture necessary, but it is also a sustainable option for consumers, especially in comparison to other farmed proteins. Seafood is highly resource efficient. It has the highest protein retention as compared to chicken, pork or beef. Actually, it also has the lowest feed conversion ratio among the same forms of protein. Aquaculture has lower greenhouse gas emissions than other types of farming. Having listed all the benefits of aquaculture, like any other industry, the aquaculture industry also faces several challenges and hurdles due to the rampant usage of natural resources and abuse of the environment.

Environmental concerns: Intensive stocking and various aquaculture operations have negative environmental impacts, like discharging waste and chemicals into waterways without proper treatment leading to eutrophication and other forms of pollution. It is extremely important to have proper treatment of the water after the harvest and before discharging the water.

Disease outbreaks: Most aquatic animals like shrimps or prawns are susceptible to various diseases, and when grown in high stocking densities. It becomes easier for disease to spread very quickly to the neighbouring farms. Such outbreaks are very common and can lead to substantial economic losses and also affect the industry’s sustainability.

Feed sustainability: There is a high growing demand for fish feed and industries need to find alternative sources of feed, such as using plant-based diets or a cheaper but healthier fish feed without harming the environment.

Governance and regulations: Governance and regulations are the biggest challenges in today’s aquaculture industry. Since most of the farms are located in the interiors and very close to the sea or a bay, it becomes s very difficult to have proper control over their discharge. This is extremely important for the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. Lack of implementation can lead to environmental damage, disease outbreaks, and social conflicts.

Market demand and competition: The aquaculture industry is susceptible to price volatility and uncertain demand due to market trends and competition.

Technological limitations: Though there have been various improvements in the aquaculture technologies like RAS and Biofloc farming there is still a dearth of technological advancements to further improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase production in a sustainable way. The majority of the farmers are still using age-old techniques to farm fish and other aquatic products.

reuse of treated wastewater in various sectors
Reuse of treated wastewater in various sectors

No need to say that today water is the most precious resource. In many parts of the world, water scarcity is becoming an increasingly critical issue to an extent that in future it can lead to war between people and nations. Reuse of treated wastewater is one of the solution to overcome this. Lets explore the benefits and challenges of reusing treated wastewater

There are multiple benefits of using treated wastewater

  • Reuse of treated wastewater can help to conserve water resources by reducing the demand for freshwater sources. This directly lowers the load on our natural resources.
  • Reusing treated wastewater can provide a more reliable and secure water supply, especially in regions with high water scarcity.
  • Reusing treated wastewater can reduce the impact on the environment by reducing the amount of wastewater discharged into water bodies and reducing the demand for freshwater sources. A very good example of this is the use of treated wastewater in the construction and building industry.
  • Reusing treated wastewater can be more cost-effective than treating and discharging it.

Applications of Treated Wastewater Reuse

  1. Agriculture: Reusing treated sewage in agriculture can provide a reliable source of water for irrigation. It can also provide the needed nutrients to a great extent thus reducing the demand for freshwater sources and also lowering their fertilizer cost with improved crop yields.
  1. Industrial: Reusing treated wastewater in industrial processes can reduce the demand for freshwater sources and provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional water sources. A very good example of this is a group of textile industries generating around 10 to 13 MLD of wastewater. All of this 10 to 13 MLD is being treated in a CETP and is reused by the same textile units in their process. The cost of reusing this treated wastewater is a fraction of what they would have to pay otherwise.
  1. Municipal: Reusing treated sewage by various municipal corporations for their landscape irrigation can provide a reliable and cost-effective source of water.

While there are benefits to use of treated wastewater there are also challenges and concerns that need to be addressed.

Health concerns: Treated wastewater may contain pathogens and pollutants that can pose a health risk if not properly treated and managed. This becomes extremely important that all the treated wastewater or sewage being reused needs to follow the respective pollution board guidelines.

Public perception: General public has a very wrong perception of the reuse or recycling of sewage. It is important to have a confidence-building exercise by the stakeholders thus ensuring public acceptance of its use.

Regulatory barriers: Regulations governing the use of treated wastewater can be complex and vary between different regions, making it challenging to implement reuse programs.

Infrastructure requirements: Reusing treated wastewater requires a significant investment in infrastructure to treat, store, and distribute the water, which can be a significant barrier to adoption. Having decentralized solutions to this can be a good start.

Use of AI & ML in environmental industry
Use of AI & ML in environmental industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing various industries, and the environmental industry is no exception. The use of AI is being used to address environmental issues, climate change, pollution monitoring and wildlife conservation. If used wisely AI and ML have a great potential to contribute to a more sustainable future.

A combination of technologies like AI, ML, Big data, IoT, image processing and many others can be used to support climate change mitigation efforts by improving the accuracy of weather forecasting and climate modelling. This would effectively help us to predict the impacts of climate change on different regions and support policy decisions. The use of AI can also help to optimize energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions by identifying opportunities for energy efficiency improvements and optimizing renewable energy production.

Climate Change: Very recently AI technologies are being used to monitor and track pollution levels in air, water and soil. These technologies can help us identify sources of pollution and develop more effective pollution control measures, so as to mitigate the problem at the source. Today’s many sensors are equipped with high AI API’s which can detect pollution levels in real-time, thus allowing for rapid response to potential pollution threats.

Wild Life: Another use of AI technologies is to support wildlife conservation efforts. Many AI-powered cameras can be used to track animal populations and monitor their behaviour. This information can also give us a huge insight into the factors that affect their habitat and help us develop strategies to protect their ecosystems. Multiple layers of geofencing technology using AI power can help us accurately monitor tagged animal movements, thus helping us identify various eco corridors for them. Such and many more AI technologies can help us analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and trends in wildlife populations, which can be used to guide conservation efforts and make the necessary changes needed.

Agriculture: Using AI in agricultural practices helps to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by minimizing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, reducing water usage and mitigating soil erosion. Many AI-powered drones are being used to monitor crop health and identify areas that require irrigation, fertigation or any other nutrients. This is done purely using image-processing AI technologies. Various algorithms can be used to analyze historical data to develop crop growth models and also predict yields with the amount of and need of fertilizers and other nutrients.

Environment: AI technologies also play a very important role in waste management practices like recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy conversion. Various Al & ML-based algorithms can be used to optimize waste collection routes and schedules, reducing the fuel consumption and emissions associated with waste collection. Image processing of various microbes in biological units helps to identify the health of that system, in a matter of seconds using powerful AI tools, thus ensuring better efficiency of the plant. AI-based algorithms are being used to identify microorganisms that are effective in bioremediation. This not only helps to optimize the selection of microorganisms but also improves the effectiveness of the bioremediation process.  There are some AI and ML tools which are being used to model the behaviour of bacteria in a certain type of environment to predict the rate of biodegradation of a pollutant and also estimate the time required to complete the process.

low carbon content in todays agricultural soil
Low carbon content in todays agricultural soil

Agriculture provides us with the food we need to survive. Unfortunately, human greed and excessive use of chemicals along with climate changes have led to the lowering of our natural carbon content in today’s agricultural soil. Having a low carbon content in soil can have negative impacts on soil health, crop productivity, and the environment.

Soil carbon is basically the amount of organic matter present in the soil. This includes both soil organic matter and inorganic carbon as carbonate minerals. It is mainly found in the topsoil. It plays a very important role as it dictates soil health and impacts many of the soil’s essential functions. Having a good carbon content in the soil helps in providing nutrients to plants, stores water and also supports the growth of beneficial microbes. Adequate carbon content also helps to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, which can help to mitigate climate change.

Reduction in soil carbon leads to a reduction in soil health and productivity. One of the major reasons for lower carbon content in the topsoil is the extensive use of chemical and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Most of these chemicals are effective in improving crop yields, but they also destroy natural beneficial microbes in the soil that play a crucial role in soil carbon sequestration. This further leads to soil erosion, which also contributes to the loss of topsoil carbon. Tilling practices have increased in the last 2 decades. Tilling disrupts the soil structure which further leads to the loss of organic matter. In the tilling process, the organic matter is exposed to the atmosphere by which it gets exposed to more oxygen which leads to carbon breakdown more quickly.

Low topsoil carbon content can lead to reduced crop yields, lower soil fertility, and increased soil erosion. If we look at the bigger picture then low soil carbon content also contributes to climate change. The topsoil carbon can help to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil thus reducing the number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Regenerative agriculture practices is one of the most effective ways to increase soil carbon content Regenerative agriculture works on the principle of sustainability where it prioritizes soil health first. This can include reducing tillage, rotating crops, using cover crops, and incorporating livestock into the farming system. Reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can help to increase soil carbon content. The use of natural beneficial microorganisms for agriculture also helps to retain and also increase the carbon content in the topsoil. All practices which can help us to preserve the beneficial microbes in the soil are welcome.

Importance of in-situ faecal degradation in septic tanks
Importance of in-situ faecal degradation in septic tanks

Even in today’s time, septic tanks are an essential component for many because access to public sewage systems is limited. Septic tanks are basically designed to collect and treat wastewater from toilets, sinks, and other sources with the help of a natural process called “bioremediation”. In-situ faecal degradation plays a significant role in treating human waste and preventing the release of harmful pathogens into the environment.

In-situ faecal degradation is the process by which naturally present microorganisms in the septic tank break down and digest the solid waste that enters the tank. Most of the natural microorganisms responsible for this process are anaerobic in nature i.e. they do not require oxygen to function. Most of these microorganisms are naturally present in human solid waste and they play a critical role in breaking down the organic matter in the solid waste. The way this process works, it that the microbes such as bacteria break down the organic matter in the solid waste and convert it into simpler compounds like methane, carbon dioxide, and water. Due to this simple nature’s process, a large amount of solid waste in the septic tank is lowered and gets liquified which helps in better percolation and also prevents it from overflowing or clogging the system. It also helps in controlling the release of pathogens in our environment, by a principle of competitive exclusion.

With the growth in science and technology, a lot of antibiotics and other chemicals are widely used in modern society. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections, and chemical residue can be found in various sources such as drugs, personal care products, and household cleaning agents. After these chemicals are consumed or used, they are processed by the body and eventually excreted in urine or faeces. All of these residues eventually find their way into the septic tanks.

One of the most significant concerns associated with antibiotic and chemical residue in human waste is the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When antibiotics are excreted in human waste, they can enter the environment and contribute to the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These bacteria can then spread through water and soil, potentially impacting other animals and humans. Also such chemicals can kill of the natural microbial community which was capable of the degradation of human waste. This leads to improper treatment of sewage before being released into the environment, which can lead to eutrophication in our natural water bodies. This also leads to the failure of s septic tank.

One of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of antibiotic and chemical residue in human waste is through use of natural robust microbial cultures in your septic tank. A good microbial community can effectively remove most of the antibiotics and chemicals present in human waste before it is released into the environment.

Further individuals can take steps to reduce their use of antibiotics and chemicals, which can help to reduce the amount of residue that ends up in human waste. Switch to the use of natural cleaning products, and try to reduce the use of pharmaceuticals whenever possible

Impact of ineffective biomass in a wastewater treatment plant
Impact of ineffective biomass in a wastewater treatment plant

Wastewater treatment plants are critical facilities that help to manage and treat water that has been used for a variety of purposes, including industrial and domestic use. One of the key components of these plants is the use of biomass, which are microorganisms that help to break down and treat the wastewater. However, using ineffective biomass can have significant impacts on the effectiveness of the treatment plant and the environment as a whole.

Firstly lets us understand what is Biomass in a Wastewater Treatment Plant and why it is extremely important.

Biomass is a term used to describe the microorganisms that are responsible for treating wastewater in a treatment plant. These microorganisms break down and digest organic matter in the wastewater, removing pollutants and producing clean water that can be safely discharged back into the environment or can be reused for other applications. There are two main types of biomass used in wastewater treatment plants: aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic biomass requires oxygen to function. Anaerobic biomass, on the other hand, does not require oxygen. Any treatment plant would have either one of the above biomass or both of them based on their effluent characteristics

What can go wrong if your biomass is ineffective or not performing to its maximum potential?

Having unproductive biomass in your wastewater treatment plant can have several negative impacts. One of the most significant impacts is a decrease in the efficiency of the treatment process. The poor biomass may not be able to break down the pollutants in the wastewater effectively, leading to a build up of organic matter and other contaminants. This can lead to a decrease in the quality of the treated water, making it less safe to discharge back into the environment.

In addition to decreased efficiency, using poor biomass can also lead to the release of harmful pollutants into the environment. If the microbial culture is unable to break down the pollutants in the wastewater, these pollutants can be released into the environment and harm aquatic life, damage ecosystems, and potentially harm human health.

Finally, using ineffective microbial cultures can also have financial implications. Treatment plants that use such poor and generic microbial cultures require more energy and resources to function properly, leading to higher operating costs and higher water bills.

How do you overcome this issue of having ineffective and poor microbial cultures in your plant?

It has become essential to conduct regular testing of your active microbial culture or bio sludge in the treatment plant. This can be done by measuring and studying the floc analysis, higher life form studies, sludge age and many other parameters. By monitoring the biomass, treatment plant operators can ensure that the correct type of biomass is being used and that it is functioning correctly.

Additionally, treatment plant operators should work with experienced professionals to select the correct microbial cultures for their specific treatment process. There are several factors to consider, including the type of wastewater being treated, the size of the treatment plant, and the desired treatment goals.

WMA – Wastewater Microbiome Analysis is one such service which is trying to educate all the stakeholders in this space so as to ensure the right treatment and the best use of their microbial cultures

Aquaculture
Understanding the Environmental and Economic Benefits of Aquaculture

Over the last few decades, rising incomes and improved living standards have fuelled demand for animal protein, including seafood. Historically, human beings have opted for immediacy in consumption rather than focusing on sustainability. As a result, several aquatic species and even habitats are at risk from rampant and unchecked commercial fishing. Often checks come into play after whole species are on the verge of extinction and sometimes not even then.

Greater awareness of seafood’s health benefits and changing consumer lifestyles will increase consumption levels by 80% by the mid-century. However, growing demand has also brought supply issues to the forefront. The oceans may have once provided bountiful quantities, but with exponentially growing populations, pollution and aggressive wild capture fishing practices, this is no longer the case. The practice of aquaculture is the farm raising of aquatic animals and plans for commercial consumption. Aquaculture increases the availability of aquatic protein and supports the rebuilding of species moving towards extinction.

Trout, shellfish, eel, shrimp, and catfish are a few aquatic species that can be farm bred. While enabling specific species to thrive in water seems simple enough, it also involves managing water conditions like controlling oxygen and ammonia levels, pH levels, feeding, and other maintenance activities. Unfortunately, aquaculture also leads to an imbalance in aquatic life due to extremely high usage of fertilisers in the water, faecal deposits, variations in the pH level in the water, and a few other causes.

Microorganisms play a vital role in balancing water’s health since they help manage organic waste. Microorganisms feed on plankton, faeces and uneaten feed, thereby reducing the amount of organic waste generation. Aquaculture is suitable for both fresh and saltwater. From feeding organisms to maintaining water quality, human intervention at every step allows for successful aquaculture practices.

Advantages of Aquaculture

  1. Economic benefits
    With the growing demand for seafood, aquaculture also helps create jobs and increase economic revenue in various industries. From Breeding to the sale of seafood, a massive set of management requires manual labour with both specialised and non-specific skills.  Fish farming has helped create jobs since it leads to the processing, transportation, and storage of seafood, with local restaurants flourishing, creating a tremendous economic opportunity for many.
  2. Environmental benefits
    Aquaculture is cost-efficient when it takes place along the shoreline due to easy access. In addition, it helps avoid the spread of Seaweed and molluscs. While there are compliances that the aquaculture farmers need to comply with to ensure environmentally safe practices, aquaculture helps to ease the pressure on wild stock. The constant inspection also helps curtail unsustainable fishing methods like bottom trawling.
  3. Save Species from Extinction:
    Various species in the marine environment are facing extinction. Overfishing, imbalance in species population, and environmental pollution play a vital role in the extinction of marine life. Aquaculture helps regulate the imbalance and helps keep the marine environment clean and free of contamination.
  4. Study of marine life:
    While humans have spent excessive money studying outer space, much less has been spent understanding the underwater species. Aquaculture enables experts better to understand the behavioural patterns and habits of aquatic animals so that we can support their survival better.

Disadvantages of Aquaculture

  1. Imbalance in the ecosystem
    Aquaculture, like farming, requires specific resources which are otherwise abundantly used by the natural environment. When fish farmers continuously use the resources, it depletes the stock,  leads to a conflict and causes an imbalance in the ecosystem.
  2. Lack of diversity
    When not bred for food, farmed fish are released into the wild, which in turn causes an imbalance in the diversity.  While aquaculture has many benefits, frequent human intervention and controlled activities do need an imbalance in the ecosystem.
  3. The health of aquatic animals
    Diseases in marine life are known to have wiped out a tremendous amount of aquatic life rapidly in the past. Similarly, diseases among cultivated marine creatures can wipe out an entirely aquatic species.
  4. Water contamination
    Fish feed, their discharge, acidity level variations in water and other contamination from the habitats can lead to diseases in the aquatic creatures and cause contamination of water sources.

Conclusion
Aquaculture helps meet the growing demands of seafood, restore water sources, offer health benefits to humans due to sustainable methods of producing protein, helps create economic opportunities through the creation of jobs, and is an excellent way of preserving local culture. While aquafarming has many pros and cons, it is vital to ensure its sustainable practices and curb any harmful activities to marine life or the ecosystem. However, when managed appropriately and adhered to the standards, it can be a very sustainable method of sourcing seafood and a lucrative business opportunity.

What is Aquaculture, and Why Do We Need It? (globalseafood.org)

Using Nature and Science To Remediate Temple Ponds
Using nature and science to remediate temple ponds

Temples are a place of worship. They also serve as a common gathering place for various community events, cultural interactions and religious rituals that many people visit daily. Often temple ponds are hotbeds of contamination from ritual bathing, dumping of organic waste, urinal overflow and other human activities. Period cleaning and remediation of temple ponds using environmentally friendly and sustainable maintenance methods can help manage cleaning cost-effectively and help curtail any ecosystem imbalance.

The temple ponds help recharge groundwater which helps improve the water ecosystem.

Most of the temple ponds have become unusable and home to vast beds of macrophytes making the water stinky and unfit for use to all living beings. While the maintenance of temple ponds is vested in the hands of temple authorities and village panchayats, cleaning up these vital water sources and ensuring a balance in the ecosystem and avoiding turning them into breeding grounds for various diseases is the need of the hour.

Bioremediation
The bioremediation cleaning method uses biological organisms like enzymes, bacteria, and even plants to clean and restore water sources. The bioremediation method includes adding beneficial plants, microbes, and enzymes into the pond. It helps to break the organic waste into smaller degradable parts. While the chemical process is faster, it damages the balance in the ecosystem to a large extent. In addition, it releases harmful gasses in the process, which may affect living beings and cause health issues ranging from skin irritation to breathing problems. On the other hand, the bioremediation process is an efficient and effective method that is free of chemicals, can reduce nitrates and phosphorus present in water, stimulate algae growth, and is also environmentally safe.

Enzymes And Bioaugmentation
Enzymes are a part of all living beings on earth. They play a vital role in activities like digesting food in our stomach, breaking down organic things like dead plant cells, accumulation of leaves, waste from aquatic life, and degradation of any organic substance. In addition, enzymes work as catalysts and enable converting the organic waste into different types of bacteria or make it available for bacteria to eat them. While this seems like a standard augmentation method, enzymes play a vital role in degrading organic waste and keeping the water sources clean.

Bacteria And Bioaugmentation
Microbes are one of the most vital elements available in natural ponds, and they get eaten by aquatic animals. While this seems like a normal life cycle, it also works as a cleanup process for the ponds. However, not all bacteria are suitable for the degradation process since it accumulates waste in ponds, posing a problem. The resultant is a natural build-up of algae which usually grows at the bottom of the pond.

From Sanitary management to organic solid waste management, from septic tank management to low-cost bioremediation of ponds, tons of areas require environmentally friendly management methods in the temples.

Bioremediation of Ponds/ Lakes
Ponds/ Lakes are a vital part of temples as the water is used for holy dips by worshippers, offerings, cleaning purposes of deities, temple premises, and other important religious activities. It leads to disposal of temple trash, and other practices can lead to contamination of water, resulting in solid odour, increase of algal growth, higher oxygen levels, increase in organic sludge, damage to aquatic life in the pond, thereby spreading diseases.

Bioremediation methods help reduce the odour and sludge in the water through environmentally friendly methods. It also helps to decompose organic waste and enables the reduction of ammonia, nitrite, and sulfide in water.

Conclusion 
Bioremediation of temple ponds not only keeps it clean but also helps to keep the aquatic life healthy. While the traditional chemical methods are heavy on cost and harmful materials, bioremediation helps keep the temple ponds clean and hygienic with sustainable cleaning methods. Regular maintenance, constant monitoring, sustainable cleaning methods, and hygienic waste management methods are some of the best ways to keep temple ponds and premises clean and hygienic.

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