Microbial activities integration among aquaculture systems for better sustainability – a review

Wastewater treatment poses a significant challenge to sustaining intensive aquaculture systems, as these systems generate substantial waste including nitrogen compounds (ammonia, nitrite and nitrates), total solids, and total phosphorus. The accumulation of these waste products negatively impacts the fish production. Consequently, various wastewater treatment methods (physical, chemical and biological methods) have been implemented in aquaculture. Among, the biological methods (bioremediation) are more efficient and environmentally sustainable compared to other methods. This review provides an overview of the latest technological options for sustainable aquaculture wastewater treatment including the use of bacteria, microalgae, bacteria-algae symbiosis. These microorganisms based remediation activities are represented in constructed wetlands, ecological floating beds, recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), biofloc system, aquaponics system, and Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA). It also explores the potential integration among these production systems based on the integrated microorganism’s roles on water treatment, increasing the sustainability of aquaculture practices.