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Sustainability
Volume 17
Issue 11
10.3390/su17114927
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Ecological vs. Traditional Aquaculture: Carbon Footprint and Economic Performance of Integrated Fish–Euryale ferox Systems

by
Jiayin Ling
1,
Guozheng Li
1,
Guodong Yuan
1,*,
Liang Xiao
1,
Liwen Shao
2,
Yaoyang Chen
1 and
Jianqiao Qin
1,*
1
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Studies and Low-Carbon Agriculture in Peri-Urban Areas, Guangdong Technology and Equipment Research Center for Soil and Water Pollution Control, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
2
Guangzhou Sub-Branch of Guangdong Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Guangzhou 510006, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4927; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114927
Submission received: 28 March 2025 / Revised: 21 May 2025 / Accepted: 21 May 2025 / Published: 27 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental and Economic Sustainability in Agri-Food System)
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study examined the carbon footprints of freshwater fish farming and Euryale ferox seed (gorgon fruit) production, comparing integrated ecological mode and traditional farming practices based on ISO 14067 and PAS 2050 standards. The ecological mode achieved a 24% lower carbon footprint per unit product than traditional practices, driven by reduced material and energy use. Key emission sources included aeration electricity, feed, and wastewater treatment for fish farming, fertilizers, insecticides, and drainage energy for E. ferox planting. The integrated model combining high-density fish ponds and E. ferox pond reduced the overall carbon footprint (Micropterus salmoides: 4.342 kg CO2-eq/kg; E. ferox seed: 0.208 kg CO2-eq/kg) compared to traditional practices (Micropterus salmoides: 5.672 kg CO2-eq/kg; E. ferox seed: 0.297 kg CO2-eq/kg). It also lowered production costs, increased profits, and mitigated GHG emissions by using E. ferox and lotus ponds as treatment facilities and reducing fertilizer use. The ecological model showed lower unit costs and higher profits (Micropterus salmoides: 4.01 RMB/kg vs. 2.46 RMB/kg; E. ferox seed: 2.53 RMB/kg vs. 1.93 RMB/kg) than those of the traditional mode. This study underscores the potential of ecologically integrated modes to mitigate water pollution and carbon emissions in agriculture, offering a sustainable solution to meet the rising demand for aquatic products.
Keywords: sustainable aquaculture; gorgon fruit; ecologically integrated farming; greenhouse gas emissions; Micropterus salmoides; life cycle assessment (LCA) sustainable aquaculture; gorgon fruit; ecologically integrated farming; greenhouse gas emissions; Micropterus salmoides; life cycle assessment (LCA)

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ling, J.; Li, G.; Yuan, G.; Xiao, L.; Shao, L.; Chen, Y.; Qin, J. Ecological vs. Traditional Aquaculture: Carbon Footprint and Economic Performance of Integrated Fish–Euryale ferox Systems. Sustainability 2025, 17, 4927. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114927

AMA Style

Ling J, Li G, Yuan G, Xiao L, Shao L, Chen Y, Qin J. Ecological vs. Traditional Aquaculture: Carbon Footprint and Economic Performance of Integrated Fish–Euryale ferox Systems. Sustainability. 2025; 17(11):4927. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114927

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ling, Jiayin, Guozheng Li, Guodong Yuan, Liang Xiao, Liwen Shao, Yaoyang Chen, and Jianqiao Qin. 2025. "Ecological vs. Traditional Aquaculture: Carbon Footprint and Economic Performance of Integrated Fish–Euryale ferox Systems" Sustainability 17, no. 11: 4927. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114927

APA Style

Ling, J., Li, G., Yuan, G., Xiao, L., Shao, L., Chen, Y., & Qin, J. (2025). Ecological vs. Traditional Aquaculture: Carbon Footprint and Economic Performance of Integrated Fish–Euryale ferox Systems. Sustainability, 17(11), 4927. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114927

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