High-Rate Biological Total Nitrogen Removal Processes for Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture and Mariculture Systems

Project Summary Title: High-Rate Biological Total Nitrogen Removal Processes for Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture and Mariculture Systems PD: Fatemeh Shirazi Ph.D. Institution: Microvi Biotech Inc. Growth of the U.S. aquaculture market can be supported by developing improved production methods with reduced environmental impacts. Recirculating aquaculture systems and other enhanced water management techniques are increasingly implemented to increase productivity and improve aquaculture water quality. The removal of nitrogen (ammonia nitrate and nitrite) and dissolved carbon is an essential component of improved water quality management. However conventional biofiltration systems suffer from low removal rates waste production high operational overhead and large footprints. The purpose of this project is to develop a high-rate biological nitrogen removal process based on the use of specifically selected organisms within engineered composites. The proposed technology will offer a targeted efficient and simple treatment process with a small footprint that is unachievable by conventional biofilters. The specific project objectives include 1) developing novel composites to support nitrogen removal across a range of salinity conditions; 2) establishing kinetic operational and design parameters; 3) demonstrating performance over extended periods of operation; and 5) developing technoeconomic parameters for multiple use-cases for U.S. aquaculture productions. It is expected that adoption of this next-generation technology will reduce the industry's reliance on inefficient conventional biofilters for nitrification and denitrification. The proposed technology will be able to retrofit existing operations to meet increasing demands increase recirculation capacity or lower operational costs. If successfully implemented improvements in aquaculture water quality will help mitigate barriers to expansion in the U.S. aquaculture industry which will help support productivity improvements and reduce production costs to meet a growing demand for various aquaculture products.