Using the natural zeolite (clinoptiolite) in removing ammonia, heavy metals and improving water quality in fish ponds

Abstract

The progressive build-up of toxic wastes, such as ammonia and heavy metals, is a problem of intensive fish culture systems. . This study was conducted to determine the effects of the natural zeolite (clinoptiolite) in removing ammonia and heavy metals. Twelve cement ponds (each 2m 3 ) were used to carry out three experimental zeolite treatments with the following concentrations: 1kg/1000L, 2kg/1000L, and 3kg /1000L ( with three replications, in addition to 0 concentration for the control. The clinoptilolite was placed in mesh bags (25x20 cm). Twenty mono-sex male Nile tilapia, O. niloticus, fingerlings, with an average initial weight of 21.10, 20.43, 22.70 and 22.40g for control, T1, T2 and T3, respectively, were stocked in each tank. The results revealed that application of zeolite significantly (P<0.05) decreased all the inorganic dissolved nitrogen. The average concentrations of unionized ammonia (NH3) were 0.52, 0.39, 0.21 and 0.04 mg/l for Control, T1, T2, and T3 during the whole experimental period, whereas the concentrations of nitrate (NO3-N) were 1.31, 0.91 0.88 and 0.61 mg/l, respectively. The concentrations of nitrite (NO2-N) were 0.36, 0.31, 0,19 and 0.11 mg/l during the whole experimentation. Zeolite had the ability to take up heavy metals; Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn. Heavy metals concentration values in ponds' water showed significant differences (P<0.05) for the control as well as the three treatments, where control ponds had the highest total mean concentrations of all metals (5.771 mg/l,) compared to T1 (4.827 mg/l), T2 (4.083 mg/l) and T3 (3.562mg/l), respectively. Heavy metals accumulation in musculature of O. niloticus in different treatments was investigated. All metals showed significant (P<0.05) differences among different treatments.

Differences in Heavy Metals Adsorption on Natural, Modified, and Synthetic Zeolites-A Review

“…In a study conducted by Hamed et al (57), natural zeolite was used to remove heavy metals from the wastewater of a fish farm. The results showed that zeolite was able to effectively remove heavy metals, including Cu, Zn, and Pb, from the wastewater.…”

Natural zeolite for heavy metal, ammonia removal, and physiological responses in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles tanks with different densities

“…The provided area for aquaculture growth, the scarcity of freshwater, and the restrictive wastewater rules are the main hindrances to long-lasting conventional systems [13,14]. In order to establish a sustainable sector for dessert aquaculture, several studies have examined ways to improve subterranean seawater quality via the use of different technologies, including activated carbon [15,16], probiotic and biofloc technology system [17,18], biological and sand filters [19][20][21], and zeolites [22][23][24][25]. Fish are near the top of the marine food chain, so heavy metals can usually get into their bodies from food, water, and sediments [26][27][28].…”