Inoculum and pH effects on ammonium removal and microbial community dynamics in aquaponics systems

Bibliographic Details
Title: Inoculum and pH effects on ammonium removal and microbial community dynamics in aquaponics systems
Authors: Peyman Derikvand, Brittany Sauter, Andrew Keddie, Lisa Y. Stein
Source: iScience, Vol 27, Iss 3, Pp 109073- (2024)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Science
Subject Terms: Applied microbiology, Horticulture, Science
More Details: Summary: Understanding the ecology of microorganisms is essential for optimizing aquaponics systems. Effects of pH and inoculum on ammonium removal and dynamics of microbial community composition from all compartments of lab-scale aquaponics systems were examined. Initial ammonium accumulation in systems with comammox-enriched inocula were 47% and 69% that of systems enriched with ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), with higher rates of ammonium removal and transient nitrite accumulation measured in the latter systems. By the end of operation, Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira AOB were dominant nitrifiers in systems at pH 7.6–7.8, whereas comammox (Nitrospira) nitrifiers and plant growth-promoting microbes were abundant in systems operating at pH 5.8–6.0. Lower pH systems supported more robust plant growth with no significant effects on fish health. This study demonstrated functional redundancy of aquaponics microbiota, with selectivity of nitrifying taxa as a function of pH. The results suggest that inoculum and pH are important considerations for aquaponics system initiation and optimization.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2589-0042
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004224002943; https://doaj.org/toc/2589-0042
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109073
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/366cd050dfe54c48b08623b371d9588f
Accession Number: edsdoj.366cd050dfe54c48b08623b371d9588f
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:25890042
DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2024.109073
Published in:iScience
Language:English