Project

Understanding nutrient dynamics in solar saltworks used for Artemia production

Code
3GA02212
Duration
01 January 2012 → 31 December 2015
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Geology
    • Aquatic sciences, challenges and pollution
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Fisheries sciences
Keywords
artemia solar saltworks nutrient dynamics
 
Project description

The project aims at unraveling and managing the foodweb in Artemia pond production systems by enhancing the predictability of nutrient fluxes and dynamics in sediments and water columns in hypersaline conditions. In an experimental scenario of increasing complexity, the different contributions of various phosphorus species to algae populations, in turn sustaining Artemia production will be elucidated. Interactions with aquatic bacteria will be investigated as well as their possible contribution as supplementary food source to Artemia. Artisanal Artemia production ponds will as a consequence turn into more profitable production systems, devoid of empirism.