Abstract
Nitrogenous and phosphorous pollution of water resources is hazardous to the health of living organisms and the environment. This study was undertaken to the effect of aquaculture activities on nitrogenous and phosphorous pollution of water resources. The study was conducted around 1500 hectares of aquaculture fish (Cyprinus carpio) farms in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. The samples were collected from aquaculture ponds, wells, rivers, and tap water (drinking water) sources from 55 regions around and far from aquaculture farms. Water biochemical parameters including temperature, PH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and nitrate, nitrite, and phosphate levels were evaluated. The relation between fertilizer use, fish density, and nitrogenous and phosphorous content was assessed. Our study showed significant differences in water quality parameters, including temperature, dissolved oxygen nitrogenous, and phosphorous of water resources away from fish ponds versus water resources around fish ponds (p < 0.05) during different seasons. Different fish densities and fertilizer usage levels in aquaculture farms showed a significant impact (p < 0.05) on the nitrogenous and phosphorous pollution of water resources. Our study showed nitrogenous and phosphorous elevation in fish ponds causes an increase in pollution of adjacent wells and rivers (p < 0.05). Chronic leakage of nitrogenous and phosphorous residues of fish farms into underground water and release of aquaculture wastewater into rivers, over a long time, can increase the risk of nitrite and nitrate levels elevation in adjacent water resources. Efficient management methods, including the treatment of farm wastewater and control of fertilizer consumption, should be employed to prevent pollution of water resources.
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The impact of aquaculture activities on pollution of water resources
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We thank the University of Tabriz, Faculty of veterinary medicine.
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Hejazy, M., Norouzi, R., Abdi, F. et al. The impact of aquaculture activities on nitrogenous and phosphorous pollution of water resources in northern Iran. Arab J Geosci 16, 255 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11347-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11347-8