Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IMPACT OF AERATION ON WATER QUALITY AND CLADOCERAN PRODUCTION IN WASTE TREATED WATERS

V.P. Saini, M.L. Ojha, Preeti Nair and Amrata Sharma

Abstract

The, role of aeration in organic waste recycling and cladoceran production was evaluated. For this purpose, 50% domestic sewage, 750 mg/L sewage sludge and 500 mg/L night soil (screened through preliminary studies) were attempted in 15 liters static waters with and without aeration. Each of these treatments was inoculated with four (4) brooders of cladoceran for their multiplication and their subsequent performance was assessed for a period of 30 days. The aeration of culture system definitely increased the production of cladoceran. As such, the highest average (4600 no/L) cladoceran population was noticed in culture systems aerated and treated with domestic sewage. The lowest (291 no/L) being in control without aeration. The results have depicted significant role of aeration in maintaining the favorable water quality conditions for good aquaculture. The study suggests that aeration could be used in cladoceran culture system that is also helpful in waste recycling.