Summary
This study employed material flow analysis to evaluate nutrient cycling efficiency in a super-intensive Vannamei shrimp farm in the Mekong Delta, identifying that current systems capture only 26.3% of total nitrogen, 12.2% of total phosphorus and 17.5% of total organic carbon input. The authors designed an integrated circular system incorporating settling ponds, biological sedimentation, composting and biogas digestion, which reduced nutrient input requirements by 53.6% for nitrogen, 62.8% for phosphorus and 40% for organic carbon whilst generating useful byproducts including heat and compost. This represents an approach to mitigating the significant nutrient waste problems associated with intensive shrimp farming in the region.
UK applicability
Direct applicability to UK aquaculture is limited given the tropical climate, species type and socio-economic context of the Mekong Delta. However, the material flow analysis methodology and circular nutrient recovery principles—particularly biogas and compost generation from aquaculture waste—may inform resource efficiency improvements in UK intensive aquaculture operations.
Key measures
Nutrient absorption rates (% TN, TP, TOC); nutrient input cost reduction (%); biogas and compost production; material flow analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon
Outcomes reported
The study measured nutrient absorption efficiency in a super-intensive Vannamei shrimp farming system and designed a circular nutrient recovery system combining settling ponds, biological sedimentation, composting and biogas digestion. The proposed system reduced input nutrient requirements and produced usable outputs including heat for domestic cooking and compost for crop cultivation.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.