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Molybdate effectively controls sulphide production in a shrimp pond model
Funda Torun1, Bárbara Hostins2, Peter De Schryver2
1Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
Environmental Research
|August 2, 2021
Summary
Sodium molybdate effectively controls hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) production in shrimp ponds by inhibiting sulfate-reducing bacteria. This improves water quality and benefits shrimp farming, outperforming nitrate and percarbonate treatments.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Shrimp farming in earthen ponds leads to poor water quality due to feed and feces accumulation.
- Deteriorated water quality negatively impacts shrimp health and the aquatic environment.
- Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a key pollutant in shrimp pond sediments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of sodium molybdate, sodium nitrate, and sodium percarbonate in controlling sulfide production in simulated shrimp pond systems.
- To assess the impact of these compounds on H₂S levels, oxygen, and pH within pond sediments.
Main Methods:
- A simulated shrimp pond bottom system was established with sediment, artificial seawater, and organic matter (feed and feces).
- Microelectrodes were used to measure oxygen, H₂S, and pH gradients in sediment over 7 days.
- Treatments included sodium molybdate (50 mg/L), sodium nitrate, and sodium percarbonate, compared against a control.
Main Results:
- Sodium molybdate significantly reduced H₂S by up to 73% at the water-sediment interface and 47% in deeper sediment.
- Molybdate treatment resulted in 16% higher residual sulfate concentrations, indicating inhibited sulfate reduction.
- Nitrate and sodium percarbonate showed limited capacity to decrease H₂S in the water column, with no significant sediment H₂S reduction.
Conclusions:
- Sodium molybdate is highly effective in controlling H₂S production in shrimp pond sediments by inhibiting sulfate-reducing bacteria.
- Molybdate treatment offers a superior solution for H₂S control compared to chemical oxygen boosters or nitrate-based treatments.
- In situ inhibition of sulfate-reducing bacteria by molybdate improves pond water quality for aquaculture.
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