State researchers develop soil and water conditioner for tilapia aquaculture

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has announced the development of a technology which can be used as soil and water conditioner for tilapia aquaculture.

The DOST-PCAARRD said the so-called Zeolite-Silica Nanocomposite (ZNC) was developed by a research team from the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), led by Dr. Juvy J. Monserate.

"ZNC is a novel material synthesized and fully characterized at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU)-Nanotechnology R&D (Research and Development) Facility. It is effective in purifying intensified pond water due to its enhanced properties such as 262 m2 /g (surface area), smooth surface morphology, diameter size 38.26±8.32 nanometer, and amorphous,” it said in a statement.

"It is slightly soluble, and is crucial to retain this amorphous quality to enable a sustainable energy system based on the recycling of water in the ponds,” it added.

The DOST-PCAARRD funded the project.

The Council cited that the new technology "improves the water quality and soil conditions for tilapia production through the use of modified nanoactivated carbon and nanoclay clinoptholite and provides environment-friendly approach to solve the problems in intensive aquaculture operations.”

It explained that nano-char (nano-silica) and nano zeolite composites reduces ammonia-nitrogen and total dissolved solids (TDS) in contaminated water.

"Other possible benefits of the technology include reuse or recycling of water after harvests, thus, reducing the pressure towards the groundwater resulting in healthier fish and higher income to fish farmer.”

The DOST-PCAARRD laments that currently, tilapia culture is facing numerous challenges.

These include the conversion of agri-fishery areas to residential and industrial use; water use dispute between aquaculture and agriculture, and water pollution.

The Council expressed hopes that further research study would be conducted to include more water quality parameters such as alkalinity, water hardness, and phosphate assessment.

It recommended that more experiments be conducted to detect significance between treatments to the overall health and behavior of Nile Tilapia upon interaction with the nano zeolite-silica composite.

"The results of the study could be a baseline for other studies, which would focus more on nano zeolite-silica composite in water treatments and other nanotechnologies that would be very useful in aquaculture that will benefit the fish farmers, researchers, extension workers, educators and students,” it said.

Considered as second most cultured fish species in the country, tilapia is easy to breed and is a high-yielding aquaculture commodity.