Characterisation of intake, pond and outlet water of creek and seawater based shrimp farms in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Environmental impact of shrimp farming has become a major issue in many countries with the development of shrimp culture industries. The present study was taken up to assess the physical and chemical characteristics of water from two shrimp fam along the Kandalem creek area and three seawater based shrimp farms along the coastal area of Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh. The water samples were collected from intake, pond during culture period and outlet point at harvest time from coastal culture systems. An increase in the value of water quality parameters via seen from source to outlet point. The average values of different parameters in intake are 0.07ppmNH,-N, 0.03 ppm NO,-N and 14ppm COD in creehater based farm and 0.001 ppm NH,-N, 0.02 ppm NO2-N and 4.8ppm COD in seawater based fm. The values of above-mentioned parameters at outlet point are 0.266 pprn NH,-N, 0.2 ppm NO2-N and 68 ppm COD in creekwater based fann and 0.086 ppm NH,-N, 0.15 ppm NO,-N and 64 ppm COD in seawater based farm. All the observed water quality parameters are within the permissible range. The redox potential of soil at the outlet point showed more reduced condition during hm7est time in general. Organic carbon content in soil showed a progressive increase in seawater based farms (0.21,0.76 and 0.80% in intake, pond and outlet point, respectively) indicating an increase in organic load at the pond bottom. A similar trend was observed in creekwater based sluimp fm. Suggestions have hen made for proper water and soil management in shrimp farms for stress-free pond environment.