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Aquaculture Tailwater Treatment: Theoretical Foundations and Applied Techniques

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1292

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: facility fishery; pond culture; smart aquaculture; fish physiology; fish ecology; environmental stress; aquaculture engineering; ecological aquaculture capacity; water environmental protection
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The strategic implementation of water utilization has substantially advanced the green and sustainable development of aquaculture, securing a globally resilient supply of blue food. Aquaculture tailwater, defined as effluent discharged from aquaculture operations, contains a considerable amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic waste materials. Untreated aquaculture tailwater poses significant risks of environmental pollution, particularly through eutrophication and ecological degradation. Research on treatments for aquaculture tailwater and aquatic environmental protection has garnered consistent attention from the global scientific community and aquaculture industry in recent years.

The morphological changes, migration pathways, and degradation kinetic processes of substances (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter) in aquaculture tailwater have been gradually identified. The diversity, functional gene expression, and environmental adaptability of microbial communities in tailwater treatment systems have been comprehensively analyzed. Mechanisms underlying the synergistic purification by integrated media components in constructed wetlands for treating aquaculture tailwater have been investigated. Researchers continue to develop novel processes, advanced materials, and innovative bioreactors for nitrogen and phosphorus removal through practical applications. Scientists and engineers have integrated and developed diversified tailwater treatment models tailored for both pond aquaculture and intensive aquaculture systems.

The convergence of biotechnology, engineering science, and information science has propelled breakthroughs in efficient aquaculture tailwater treatment systems integrating genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and mechanical equipment. Ecologically optimized aquaculture tailwater treatment technologies demonstrate enhanced compatibility with diversified aquaculture models.

This Special Issue of Water invites submissions comprising original research and critical reviews addressing the fundamental science and applied technologies of aquaculture tailwater treatment. The scope of this Special Issue includes but is not limited to aquaculture effluent discharge patterns and characteristics; comprehensive mechanisms of nitrogen and phosphorus removal technologies; novel reactor design and advanced materials; the development of high-efficiency, low-consumption tailwater treatment technologies; resource-oriented utilization technologies and pathways for effluent recycling; intelligent management systems for tailwater treatment; and the system integration and regional adaptability of treatment technologies.

Prof. Dr. Dapeng Li
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • aquaculture effluent
  • tailwater treatment technology
  • aquatic environmental protection
  • nitrogen and phosphorus removal
  • waste resource utilization
  • environmental microbiology
  • intelligent equipment
  • sustainable aquaculture

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 1895 KB  
Article
Effects of Polyculture Patterns in Ponds on Water Quality and Intestinal Flora of Penaeus monodon
by Xueliang Sun, Zhenzhen Fang, Hong Yu, Honghao Zhao, Yuanyuan Yang, Falin Zhou, Yongjun Guo, Chengxun Chen, Lin Zhao and Yunchen Tian
Water 2025, 17(22), 3194; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17223194 - 8 Nov 2025
Viewed by 645
Abstract
Shrimp aquaculture ponds are dynamic ecosystems in which water quality and microbial interactions play a central role in animal health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the intestinal microbiota of Penaeus monodon and the microbial community of polyculture pond water. Shrimp [...] Read more.
Shrimp aquaculture ponds are dynamic ecosystems in which water quality and microbial interactions play a central role in animal health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the intestinal microbiota of Penaeus monodon and the microbial community of polyculture pond water. Shrimp and water samples were collected from polyculture ponds at four time points during the rearing period. Water-quality parameters were measured, and microbial community structures were analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA, revealed significant variations in water-quality parameters and microbial diversity among sampling stages (p < 0.05). Water quality indicators showed progressive changes from July to September, with pH decreasing from 8.1 to 7.5 but remaining within a suitable range. Nitrogen compounds, including ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, increased steadily, with total nitrogen rising from 0.71 to 1.86 mg·L−1, while phosphate and total phosphorus reached 0.31 and 0.36 mg·L−1, respectively, exceeding thresholds commonly associated with algal bloom risk. Microbial community profiling using Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed 166 OTUs shared between shrimp intestine and pond water, while both habitats contained more than 350 OTUs overall. Alpha diversity analysis showed higher microbial richness in water than in shrimp intestines, dominated by unclassified taxa, whereas shrimp guts were enriched in specific genera such as Vibrio. Cluster analysis indicated partial overlap but distinct grouping of gut and water microbiota, with the PMB intestinal community diverging most strongly. These findings highlight a close link between water quality and microbial composition, emphasizing the importance of pond management for maintaining ecological stability and shrimp health. Full article
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