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On how to make aquaponics more circular
Ze Zhu1, Sara M Pinho2, Oliver Körner3
1Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Bioresource Technology
|March 23, 2026
Summary
Aquaponics systems can improve nutrient recycling, but losses persist. This review explores strategies to recover nutrients from waste, enhancing circularity in this food production method.
Area of Science:
- Sustainable Food Systems
- Circular Economy
- Nutrient Management
Background:
- Aquaponics integrates aquaculture and hydroponics for nutrient cycling.
- Current aquaponics fall short of complete nutrient loop closure, leading to losses.
- Nitrogen and phosphorus are key nutrients and pollutants in aquaponics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for reducing nutrient losses in aquaponics.
- To evaluate nutrient recovery and recycling methods.
- To align aquaponics with circular bioeconomy principles.
Main Methods:
- Identifying nutrient fate in aquaponics subsystems.
- Evaluating nutrient recovery and water recycling strategies.
- Assessing solid waste valorisation techniques.
Main Results:
- Dissolved effluents and solid waste represent significant nutrient losses.
- Established technologies exist for nutrient recovery and recycling.
- System-level integration of strategies is crucial but challenging.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing aquaponics for circularity requires addressing nutrient losses.
- Well-established technologies can be applied to improve nutrient recovery.
- Systems thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration are vital for progress.
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