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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #387001
Research Project: Enhancing the Production of Hybrid Striped Bass Through Improved Genetics, Nutrition, Production Management, and Fish Health

Location: Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr

Title: Field evaluation of seven products to control cyanobacterial blooms in aquaculture

Author
item BULEY, RILEY - Auburn University
item ADAMS, CATIE - Auburn University
item BELFIORE, ANGELEA - Auburn University
item FERNANDEZ-FIGUEROA, EDNA - Auburn University
item GLADFELTER, MATTHEW - Auburn University
item GARNER, BRYNNE - Auburn University
item Straus, David - Dave
item WILSON, ALAN - Auburn University

Submitted to: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2021
Publication Date: 8/9/2021
Citation: Buley, R.P., Adams, C., Belfiore, A.P., Fernandez-Figueroa, E.G., Gladfelter, M.F., Garner, B., Straus, D.L., Wilson, A.E. 2021. Field evaluation of seven products to control cyanobacterial blooms in aquaculture. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 28:29971-29983. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15753-x.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15753-x

Interpretive Summary: Harmful or toxic algal blooms are a significant problem in aquaculture. This publication researched the effects of 7 compounds on controlling algal blooms in both lab and field trials against the always beneficial green algaes, the harmful blue-green algaes and the small crustaceans that are called zooplankton. Compounds containing copper were the best and cheapest, but peracetic acid compounds quickly reduced levels of harmful blue-green algaes and had little effect on green algae and zooplankton.

Technical Abstract: Harmful algal blooms negatively impact water quality in hypereutrophic systems that are common in aquaculture. However, few algaecides are approved for use in food-fish aquaculture. This study assessed the effectiveness of seven products, including hydrogen peroxide (as a concentrated liquid or in granular form (PAK-27)), peracetic acid (as VigorOx SP-15 and Peraclean), copper (as copper sulfate in unchelated (powder) or chelated (Captain) forms), and a clay-based product (as Phoslock) on phytoplankton (including cyanobacteria) and zooplankton biomass. Each product was tested in a 14-day laboratory and 35-day field experiment to assess their short- and long-term performance. Although some products (i.e., copper-based and liquid hydrogen peroxide) quickly reduced phytoplankton, effects were short-lived given that chlorophyll concentrations returned to starting concentrations within 21 days. In contrast, all but one product (i.e., concentrated liquid hydrogen peroxide) maintained low phycocyanin concentrations for 35 days. Zooplankton biomass trends showed large, negative effects for most algaecides; however, zooplankton rebounded for most treatments except for copper-based products. In general, copper-based products remain the most efficient and cheapest choice to reduce total phytoplankton biomass in aquaculture systems. However, peracetic acid-based products effectively and quickly reduced cyanobacteria while having marginal effects on beneficial algae and zooplankton. Such algaecides could be effective alternatives to copper-based products for aquaculture farmers.