Ammonia-eliminating potential of Gracilaria sp. and zeolite: A preliminary study of the efficient ammonia eliminator in aquatic environment

Abstract

High density and high feeding volume are regarded as factors causing huge accumulations of Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) in an aquaculture system. An uncontrolled TAN concentration in an aquaculture system can pose a threat to the reared organisms as an abrupt escalation of the toxic form of TAN (ammonia - NH3) may occur following the alteration of the water quality. Considering the potential of Gracilaria sp. and zeolite toward ammonia elimination, it would be a milestone interest to study the effect of Gracilaria sp and zeolite as an ammonia eliminator in aquatic environment. The result shows that Gracilaria sp. and zeolite significantly affect the reduction of TAN concentration (p < 0.05). The result shows that the reduction ranges from 0.101 to 1 ppm while the best treatment is treatment Cc (5 g/L Gracilaria sp. and 10 g/L zeolite) which can eliminate the TAN concentration by up to 100% (1 ppm) within 7 days. Pursuant to the result, it can be concluded that Gracilaria sp. and zeolite have the potential of being an efficient ammonia eliminator in an aquatic environment. Nonetheless, it is important to conduct further research with respect to the actual implementation of the ammonia eliminators in a real aquaculture system.