Analysis of economic and biological factors of waste heat aquaculture

TL;DRAbstract

A waste heat aqualculture system using extensive culture techniques is currently under investigation at the Oak Ridge National Lab. The system uses nutrients in waste water streams to grow algae and zooplankton which provide feed for fish and clams. A tilapia polyculture association and the freshwater clam Corbicula are the animals cultured in the system. The investigations detailed in this study have been performed to determine the economic and biological fesibility of the system and to examine energy utilization. The economic study indicated that fish producion costs of $0.24/lb were possible. This cost, however, depends upon the fish production rate and food conversion efficiency and could rise to as much as $0.75/lb. The biological studies have examined growth relationships and production potential of the cultured organisms. In the laboratory, growth-temperature optima have been deinfed (32/sup 0/C, with good growth rates between 26 and 34/sup 0/C) for tilapia hybrids. Using cage c

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