GROUNDWATER IN SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA

THE CULTIVATION OF MARINE SHRIMP (PENAEUS VANNAMEI) INLAND IN BRACKISH GEOTHERMAL WELL WATER IS EXAMINED. SUBSTANTIAL VOLUMES OF BRACKISH GEOTHERMAL GROUND WATER ARE AVAILABLE INARIZONA AND ELSEWHERE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. MOST OFTHESE WELLS WERE DEVELOPED FOR IRRIGATION OF FIELD CROPS BUTWERE ABONDONED DUE TO HIGH SALINITY. NUMEROUS SITES POSSESSSHALLOW LIFT WELL WATER WITH TEMPERATURE AND TOTAL DISSOLVEDSOLIDS SUITABLE FOR RAPID SHRIMP GROWTH. IF MINERAL PROFILES OF THESE WATERS ARE SHOWN TO BE SUITABLEFOR PENAEID SHRIMP GROWTH, A SUBSTANTIAL SHRIMP PRODUCTION INDUSTRY COULD BE IMPLEMENTED. THIS INDUSTRY COULD ALLOW PARTIAL OR COMPLETE IMPORT SUBSTITUTION TO OFFSET THE BILLION DOLLARS PLUS A YEAR TRADE DEFICIT RESULTING FROM SHRIMP IMPORTS.