Nutrient Cycling

The impact of cottonseed meal condition on water quality, zooplankton densities, and sunshine bass production when used as an organic fertilizer in ponds

“…Higher nitrogen availability likely stimulated primary productivity at a faster rate, leading to higher DO, pH, and some zooplankton densities for the first half of the pond cycle. Increasing phytoplankton densities in ponds cause the afternoon pH to increase due to CO 2 consumption and hydroxyl ion production during photosynthesis (Boyd 2012). Morning DO and pH remained higher in the Cd + ponds over the same period as respiration, organic decomposition, and atmospheric CO 2 diffusion could not offset the O 2 produced and CO 2 consumed by higher daily photosynthesis rates (Ludwig et al 2007).…”

“…The culture success of the fry of Striped Bass Morone saxatilis and its hybrids in ponds is largely determined by zooplankton densities and composition (Geiger 1983a; Geiger and Turner 1990). Fry rearing ponds are fertilized to stimulate phytoplankton and zooplankton development to provide a forage base for young fish (Geiger 1983b; Boyd 2012). However, the increased productivity generated by organic or inorganic fertilization can deteriorate water quality and reduce fish survival (Qin et al 1995; Soderberg et al 1997; Kurten et al 1999; Ludwig 2002; Mischke and Zimba 2004).…”