title: Activated packed bed bioreactor for rapid nitrification in brackish water hatchery systems.
abstract: A packed bed bioreactor (PBBR) was developed for rapid establishment of nitrification in brackish water hatchery systems in the tropics. The reactors were activated by immobilizing ammonia-oxidizing (AMONPCU-1) and nitrite-oxidizing (NIONPCU-1) bacterial consortia on polystyrene and low-density polyethylene beads, respectively. Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated the presence of autotrophic nitrifiers belong to Nitrosococcus mobilis, lineage of beta ammonia oxidizers and nitrite oxidizer Nitrobacter sp. in the consortia. The activated reactors upon integration to the hatchery system resulted in significant ammonia removal (P < 0.01) culminating to its undetectable levels. Consequently, a significantly higher percent survival of larvae was observed in the larval production systems. With spent water the reactors could establish nitrification with high percentage removal of ammonia (78%), nitrite (79%) and BOD (56%) within 7 days of initiation of the process. PBBR is configured in such a way to minimize the energy requirements for continuous operation by limiting the energy inputs to a single stage pumping of water and aeration to the aeration cells. The PBBR shall enable hatchery systems to operate under closed recirculating mode and pave the way for better water management in the aquaculture industry.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Cochin, 682016, India.
authors.forename: V J Rejish
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Cini
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Achuthan
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Manju
authors.forename: Rosamma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Philip
authors.forename: I S Bright
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D002841:Chromatiaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007218:Industrial Microbiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D009576:Nitrobacter / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D033561:Penaeidae / Q000254:growth & development*; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D009573:Nitrites