Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #414931
Research Project: Sustaining Productivity and Ecosystem Services of Agricultural and Horticultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Understanding how phosphorus could be removed in aquaculture ponds by gypsum

Author
item WANG, D - Auburn University
item HAMID, A - Auburn University
item RADWAN, I - Auburn University
item WILSON, A - Auburn University
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item Beck, Benjamin

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2024
Publication Date: 6/5/2024
Citation: Wang, D., Hamid, A.K., Radwan, I.M., Wilson, A.E., Torbert III, H.A., Beck, B.H. 2024. Understanding how phosphorus could be removed in aquaculture ponds by gypsum. Alabama Fish Farming Center. 2024(1):1-16.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Gypsum (calcium sulfate; typically, as a by-product of flue gas desulfurization) is commonly applied to ponds to increase hardness (i.e., concentration of calcium and magnesium in water) that supports the development and physiological maintenance in fish. However, relatively little is known regarding the influence of gypsum additions on water quality. To understand how an application of gypsum (500 mg/L) affected water quality in active hybrid catfish production ponds, a whole pond experiment at a catfish farm in west Alabama was conducted and showed large effects of gypsum on several important water quality parameters, such as hardness ('), alkalinity ('), phosphorus ('); including total and dissolved forms), and blue-green algae ('). Such impacts of gypsum on available nutrients that promote toxic and/or off-flavor producing blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) could harm aquaculture production and reduce profitability, as the presence of off flavors in fish flesh results in spoilage and decreased market value.