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A Sodium Bicarbonate Dosing

Methodology for pH Management
in Freshwater-Recirculating
Aquaculture Systems
a a
J. Clay Loyless & Ronald F. Malone
a
Louisiana State University, Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering, 3508 CEBA, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, 70803, USA
Version of record first published: 09 Jan 2011.

To cite this article: J. Clay Loyless & Ronald F. Malone (1997): A Sodium Bicarbonate Dosing
Methodology for pH Management in Freshwater-Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, The
Progressive Fish-Culturist, 59:3, 198-205

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 The Progressive Fish-Culturist 59:198-205. 1997
ۥ Copyright by the American Fisheries Society 1997

A Sodium Bicarbonate Dosing Methodology for pH Management

in Freshwater-Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
J. CLAY LOYLESS AND RONALD F. MALONE'
Louisiana Stale University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
3508 CEBA, Baton Rouge. Louisiana 70803, USA

Abstract.—High-density water-recirculating aquaculture systems with hydraulic retention times

above about 5 d must be monitored for alkalinity, and in the vast majority of cases, the alkalinity
must be adjusted upwards to assure maintenance of desirable pH levels. Sodium bicarbonate is
the preferred additive for increasing alkalinity because it is inexpensive, dissolves rapidly, and is
safe for both personnel and fish. The high rate of carbon dioxide production in such systems
requires significant stripping capabilities and dictates the appropriate alkalinity concentrations in
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this CO2-enriched environment. The methodology presented for alkalinity adjustment uses mea-
surements of pH and alkalinity to obtain an estimate of the system CCh level, which, in turn, is
used to define the alkalinity concentration required to reach a targeted pH. A dosage table facilitates
determination of the amount (g) of sodium bicarbonate to be added to reach the targeted pH for
a variety of system sizes. The charts, which arc designed for personnel with limited training, also
indicate when additional CO? stripping capacity is dictated.

Numerous scientific and commercial ventures
have demonstrated the technical feasibility of rais-
ing a wide variety of aquacultural species under a
water-recirculating regime (Parker and Simco
1974; Broussard and Simco 1976; Bovendeur et
al. 1987). The enhanced quality control offered by
the recirculation approach, coupled with an in-
herent reduction in water usage and environmental
impact, presages its selection as the technology of
choice for the future of the aquaculture industry.
Water-recirculating aquaculture systems are thus
poised for widespread adoption if cost-effective
design and simple operating procedures that focus
on basic water treatment processes can be imple-
mented. Although several technological issues
need to be refined, the emphasis has shifted to
training the commercial sector and reducing costs
to accelerate field implementation. Significant eco-
nomic gains can be realized by reversing the his-
toric trend toward increasingly complex systems
and by coupling good production strategies with
simpler engineering approaches to the water re-
conditioning problem.
Proper pH management is a fundamental re-
quirement for obtaining the optimum performance
from water-recirculating aquaculture systems. The
pH controls a wide variety of solubility and equi-
libria reactions, and many aquatic organisms are
sensitive to its concentration. For instance, pH
controls the ratio of the innocuous ammonium ion
(NH4") to the toxic ammonia (NH^) concentration.
1
To whom correspondence should be addressed.
198
The pH also has a major influence on the activity
of nitrifying bacteria in the biological filters used
to purify the waste stream. Both low and high pH
levels can create harmful effects. However, the
complicated physical and chemical dynamics of
the systems make it difficult for operators to de-
termine the appropriate corrective actions to main-
tain the pH within a desired range.
Unit operations are selected to "recondition"
recirculating waters according to a hierarchy of
treatment needs. In reality, the water is only par-
tially reconditioned—just enough to allow for an
extended reuse period. Early system designers
used aeration, clarification, and biofiltration pro-
cesses as their main water quality management
tools. When this strategy is applied to high-density
production systems with extended hydraulic re-
tention times (>5 d) it results in a classic pattern
of decreasing alkalinity levels often accompanied
by a gradual increase in aqueous carbon dioxide
concentrations. These two factors compound
through the carbonate equilibria system to cause
a decline in system pH; such a situation is illus-
trated in Figure 1 with data collected on one of
the authors* systems. Note that the slope of the
curves may vary depending on the attributes of the
particular system studied, but the trend is repre-
sentative. Left unchecked, the pH falls to a level
that severely inhibits the nitrifying bacteria; the
bacteria are then overwhelmed by the nitrogenous
waste load, and the system ultimately collapses.
In recent years, the impact of pH and alkalinity
on the biofiltration process has been recognized,
and the additional processes of alkalinity adjust-
 MF.THCWOLOGY FOR pH MANACiF.MKNT 199
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FiCtURH I.—Alkalinity and pH data collected in a lightly loaded freshwater-recirculating system (5,1 10 L. 1,100
kg tilapia. 30°C, 2c/c feed rate) with 10% daily water replacement without supplement addition. The decline in
both variables illustrates the typical response when intervention measures are not taken.

ment and degasification (carbon dioxide stripping)
have been added to the list of unit operations in-
cluded in most reuse schemes. Routine alkalinity
adjustments are required because the nitrifying
bacteria continually consume alkalinity at a rate
of about 7 mg (expressed as CaCOj) per milligram
of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) oxidized to ni-
trate (ERA 1975). A high-density system with 0.06
kg fish/L and a 2% feed rate can experience a daily
alkalinity consumption of about 250 mg CaCO^/L.
This is far too much to be replenished by water
turnover with hydraulic retention times in the
range of 5-10 d for all but the most alkaline waters.
Determining the appropriate intervention strategy
is complicated by the elevated CC>2 levels that de-
fine the alkalinity required to maintain the pH
within a target range.
The daily carbon dioxide production rate has
been estimated at about 0.5 mg/g of biomass for
both fish and bacteria (Colt and Bouck 1984).
Driven by the organic loading (i.e., feed applica-
tion) rate, this CC>2 production must be counter-
balanced by an appropriate gas stripping mecha-
nism, or aqueous carbon dioxide levels will in-
crease. Piedrahita and Grace (1991) defined design
guidelines for packed column degasification units
capable of cost-effective control of carbon dioxide
levels. Loyless (1996) discussed degasification ef-
fectiveness of blown air systems. Thus, well-de-
signed systems can be configured to provide ad-
equate degasification capacity to accommodate
carbon dioxide production during peak loading,
typically late in the growoul sequence.
This paper presents a practical approach to solv-
ing the alkalinity exhaustion problem that, togeth-
er with good degasification procedures, eliminates
pH decline as an issue in recirculating systems.
The method proposed for pH management is
straightforward and can be implemented by staff
personnel with a limited amount of training or ex-
perience. It is intended to bridge the gap between
theoretical complexity and field level application.
The proposed method is directly applicable to wa-
ter-recirculating systems for culturing warmwater
(20-30°C), freshwater (salinity <10%o) ornamen-
tal or food fish, such as tilapia, catfish, striped bass,
and other common species. It is most suitable for
application to high-density production systems
with moderate hydraulic retention times in the
range of 5 to 30 d.
Theory
The interdependence of carbon dioxide and al-
kalinity through the carbonate equilibria system
enables pH control through either physical meth-
ods that alter the CC>2 content of the water or chem-
ical methods that adjust the alkalinity constituents.
Controlling the CC>2 removal rate requires adjust-
ment of the stripping equipment (e.g., increasing
air flow rates, changing injection depths, etc.). For
a given system, the CC>2 stripping capacity is fixed
by design and the equipment is usually operated
 200 LOYLHSS AND MALONE
at its maximum capability. Thus, pH control
through physical means is not a viable manage-
ment option for the typical water-recirculating sys-
tem operator.
Chemicals used for pH adjustment in aquacul-
tural systems add either carbonate (HCOi or
CO} 2 ) or noncarbonate (OH") ions to the solu-
tion. These added species shift the H 4 concentra-
tion, thus changing the equilibrium pH. The rec-
ommended supplement, sodium bicarbonate
(NaHCO}), commonly known as baking soda, en-
joys widespread use in both the commercial and
domestic sectors because it is safe, inexpensive,
and easy to apply. It has many desirable properties,
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including a high water solubility (> 100,000 mg/L
at 25°C; Lide 1993), and it rapidly dissolves in
water at ambient temperatures, reaching steady
state concentration within minutes of its applica-
tion. Sodium bicarbonate has a low potential for
overdosing because it takes a relatively large
amount to raise the pH substantially.
The carbonate equilibria system that regulates
the pH in a recirculating water system is driven
by the transfer of carbon dioxide gas into and out
of the water, a physical process that is governed
by Henry's Law at equilibrium. Because the at-
mospheric CO2 concentration is very low, a clean
water in equilibrium with the atmosphere contains
only about 0.5 mg/L of carbon dioxide. However,
in a recirculation system, carbon dioxide produc-
tion by the fish and bacteria will raise the aqueous
CO2 level a hundredfold unless corrective action
is taken. The carbon dioxide level in a recirculation
system reflects a balance between the rate of pro-
duction by the organisms and the rate of removal
by the stripping equipment. The CO2 production
rate is largely defined by the level of organic load-
ing (i.e., the feeding rate); the stripping rate is a
function of the operating characteristics of the aer-
ation and degas iftcat ion devices.
Aqueous carbon dioxide reacts with water to
form carbonic acid (H2CO3), an unstable com-
pound that dissociates to form bicarbonate and hy-
drogen ions (Snoeyink and Jenkins 1980; Stumm
and Morgan 1981):
CO 2(atl ) + H2O <-> H2CO3 <-> HCO3 + H\ (1)
By assuming that most recirculation systems op-
erate within a pH range of 6.0-8.0 and neglecting
the intermediate carbonic acid, the pH of a system
can be reasonably estimated by equation (2):
pH = log([HC03 ]/*ai [C0 2(aq) l), (2)
where K^\ is the equilibrium constant (Snoeyink
and Jenkins 1980; Stumm and Morgan 1981). As
A
\ rag CQ2/L
2 mg CO2/L
5 mg CO2/L
10mgCO2/L
x i .
20 mg CO2/L
50 100 150
Alkalinity (mg CaCQs/L)
FIGURE 2.—Graphical representation of the carbonate
equilibria system of equations at 25°C showing the in-
terrelationship between pH. alkalinity, and carbon di-
oxide concentration (adapted from Allain 1988).
equation (2) illustrates, increases in the aqueous
CO2 concentration depress pH unless there is com-
pensation by a proportional increase in the bicar-
bonate ion concentration. The recirculation sys-
tems modeled in this paper are considered to be
near equilibrium conditions because both the gas
exchange process and the carbonate system reac-
tions are very rapid. They are also assumed to be
open to the atmosphere because they are well-
mixed, thoroughly aerated, and have relatively
long hydraulic retention times.
Figure 2 depicts the effect of varying CO2 con-
tent on the resultant pH as a function of the system
alkalinity (adapted from Allain 1988). For exam-
pie, at an alkalinity of 150 mg/L as CaCO3, de-
creasing the CO2 concentration from 50 mg/L to
5 mg/L raises the pH from 6.75 to 7.75, an order
of magnitude reduction in hydrogen ion concen-
tration. For elevated CO2 levels, the maintenance
of a pH above 7 is expensive because of the high
alkalinity requirements. For example, it would
take over 500 mg/L of alkalinity to reach pH 7 if
the carbon dioxide concentration were 100 mg/L.
On the other end of the spectrum, low CO2 levels
make it difficult to maintain sufficient alkalinity
in the system without overshooting the upper end
of the target pH range. If CO2 was only 1 mg/L,
for example, any alkalinity over 50 mg/L would
raise the pH above the 8.0 level, presenting po-
 METHODOLOGY FOR pH MANAGEMENT 201

TABI.K 1.—Carbon dioxide concentrations (mg/L) for various pH and alkalinity combinations. The CCh levels above
15 mg/L arc shaded to indicate levels that are potentially stressful to animals.

Current CO 2 Concentration (mg/L)

Alkalinity
(mg/L as Current pH
CaC03)
6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 8.0
10 m 15 15 10 8 6 5 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 <1 <1 <1 <1
20 |40|| W! p25jjj !|J20|j: 15 15 10 8 6 5 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 <1 <1
30 Mi Mi |40j!; |30| |25| M 15 10 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 <1
40 Mi
|||8ft! M !|!40!j; |30| P5|| l;2o; 15 15 10 8 6 5 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1
50 100 iiaOP! jj6Qi Isojii
mi Poll !!;25j| Il2ft;l15 15 10 8 6 5 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
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60 100 ;80j M;: ijiSOjjj :Mi !!!30;| 125:;; |20| 15 10 10 8 6 2 1

70 |i90|i| mm ii60!| iPOS PI40IJ |!30j! !!!I25!|! i;20,! 15 10 9 7 6 5 4 3 2 2 1
80 iioo; WA iNI i50j:j w ml H251 :pO;j 15 15 10 8 7 5 4 3 3 2 2
90 Nil li^ojl l«>ji PH Mi |30| i25;j ip20|j: 15 10 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 2
100 jiqqj |80| |7fti IN l40;i! !!!l30l i25i! l2oii 15 15 10 8 7 5 4 3 3 2
110 jlj90i POJ M !!50| I!40!! !!30i; IM |20| 15 10 9 7 6 5 4 3 2
120 10# 80!;! I6o;i liSOiJi !i40!i ip30i Pi25|!i po; 15 10 10 8 6 5 4 3 2
[
130 Ml :i70j| IM l!!*?l |3q| |25|
C02 > 100 mj5/L |90|: |70|
i!2p|
15 15 10 8 7 5 4 3 3
140 IM
||50| !|40| IMS 8251 |20| 15 10 9 7 6 5 4 3
150 gioo iliSOij Ml iiSOpj j||40| i!i30|;| !Ji25.!f i2o;i 15 10 10 8 6 5 4 3
I
ncrease 80 ;;70[
160 1 !i50|! |l4a| H??!j! |25![ M 15 15 10 8 7 5 4 3
170 |90l II70JI! iifioiil :;i4o:;! |40| |30!|: |20| 15 15 10 9 7 6 4 3
180
Gas Strippin g !!90p| §70| M Il5o:j IJ^ftli! 130;!!; !i25ii PO!!: 15 10 9 7 6 5 4
190 100 iiSft! !!«!!! \5Q§ l!4o!!i! !l!30ij|! !iJ25ii|; Ml 15 10 10 8 6 5 4
200 !|80| !!70|!i !!5tf!j! |4oli!i l!3oli! !!25l !!20| 15 15 10 8 6 5 4

tential ammonia toxicity problems. Fortunately, presumed to be defined as (Snoeyink and Jenkins
the maintenance of CO2 at too low a level is rarely 1980; Stumm and Morgan 1981)
a problem in practice, because economics require alkalinity (eq/L) = [HCO3 ] + 2[CO3 2]
high stocking densities; carbon dioxide increases, + [OH ] - [H'|. (3)
not deficiencies, are the real concern. Equation (3) can be combined with the recognized
A methodology based on three tables has been relationship between the bicarbonate and carbon-
developed to determine the supplemental amount ate ions (Snoeyink and Jenkins 1980; Stumm and
of sodium bicarbonate required to achieve a given Morgan 1981),
pH correction. Table 1 provides the approximate
CC>2 concentration in a system for each potential
pH-alkalinity combination. Table 2 gives the al- ICO, >1 = (4)

kalinity values required to attain equilibrium with

the system CC>2 and any target pH level selected. to define the [HCOj ) concentration for any given
Table 3 indicates the amount of NaHCO^ that must pH and alkalinity combination:
be added to reach the equilibrium alkalinity value = alkalinity., - [OH (H-|
for a given system volume.
The tables were generated by application of the 1I + 2Ka2
7
carbonate equilibria relationships. The alkalinity
in !
of a water reflects the influence of a variety of The resulting [HCO} ] concentration can be
ions; in freshwater systems, the alkalinity is widely substituted into equation (2) to yield the aqueous
 202 LOYLESS AND MALONE-

TABLH 2.—Alkalinity values (mg CaCOVD in equilibrium with the system carbon dioxide concentration and the
target pH. The CCh levels above 15 mg/L are shaded to indicate levels that are potentially stressful to animals.

Equilibrium Alkalinity (mg CaCOa/L)

C02 Target pH
(mg/L) 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 8.0
1 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 10 10 10 10 10 20 20 30 40 50
2 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 10 10 10
10 20 20 30 30 40 50 60 80 100
3 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 10 10 10 10 10 20 20 30 40 50 60 70 90 KtO 150
4 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 10 10 10 10 20 20 20 30 40 50 60 80 100 120 K50 200
5 <10 <10 <10 <10 10 10 10 10 20 20 20 30 40 50 60 80 100 120 150 1<K)
6 <10 <10 <10 10 10 10 10 10 20 20 30 40 50 60 70 90 120 150 190
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7 <10 <10 10 10 10 10 10 20 20 30 30 40 50 70 90 110 140 170

8 <10 10 10 10 10 10 20 20 30 30 40 50 60 80 100 120 160 200
9 <10 10 10 10 10 10 20 20 30 40 40 60 70 90 110 140 180
10 <10 10 10 10 10 20 20 30 30 40 50 60 80 100 120 160 200
15 10 10 10 10 20 20 30 40 50 60 70 90 120 150 190
20 ilio! lio| iioi Mi Ji30H Iffl Pol P0|i ;ii60!ii 180] 100 !l20j J160J 200L
!;M "m I !!|20| jjaojj poll |50!| pOJ! poj llOOl 120 1150! 1190!
20
25
30 iiiof mi mm P0!| MOM hj50|j pop Mi; poii J120I il50i I190J Alkalinity > 200 mg/L
40 20: j pop mm •JI40II pa; ! 16011; |80| jlOOj 1120] 160 !200i

50 Mi M; NOli Ml INI |80| :100; il20i 150J J190J Potential Ion

60 J30J!j |40| 150 1! |60l Pol !90| ;i2a J150J 190;
70 !3(i mm iisoii Mi; iisojjj 110 ;140; !i7o; Imbalance Problem
80 :i40| ysOiii 160;;! pOjjj iioo!
120: 1150 1200!
90 M !!i60!i i!70!!! 190 1 110 140? 1180:
100 1150] P0| mm iopl ;120i J|160; 200!

carbon dioxide concentration. Accepted values for
K a , and K a2 at 25°C of 4.3 x 10 7 and 4.7 x
10 n , respectively, (Lide 1993) were used in the
construction of Table 1. Carbon dioxide data points
above 15 mg/L are shaded gray to indicate poten-
tial stress on the animals (Tucker and Robinson
1990); points above 100 mg/L are not enumerated
and enhanced gas stripping is suggested as a more
appropriate pH adjustment measure than chemical
addition under such conditions.
Table 2 was generated by rearranging equation
(5) and solving for the equilibrium alkalinity val-
ues corresponding to each combination of aqueous
carbon dioxide and pH. The portion of Table 2
above 15 mg/L is again shaded gray to indicate
potentially stressful carbon dioxide concentra-
tions. The numerical values for alkalinity levels
above 200 mg/L as CaCO^ are not indicated on
the table because of the potential impact of high
salt concentrations on freshwater aquatic organ-
isms. Assuming that the added bicarbonate com-
pletely dissociates, Table 3 was constructed by
converting the required alkalinity from milligrams
as CaCO} per liter to grams of NaHCO^ per unit
of system volume. The sodium bicarbonate dosage
is additive, and Table 3 is configured to allow se-
lection of multiple volumes or alkalinity incre-
ments to represent a total not shown on the table.
All intersecting dosage points must be summed for
calculation of the total dosage.
The tables presented cover a pH range of 6.0-
8.0 and an alkalinity range of 0-200 mg/L, which
includes the major portion of the systems operating
in this segment of the industry. Field techniques
for alkalinity and pH determination are not highly
accurate, thus the tabulated values have been
rounded to reflect the inexact nature of the data
input. All values given are based on a water tem-
perature of 25°C, and they are accurate to within
10% over the 20-30°C range. Supplement addi-
 METHODOLOGY FOR pH MANAGEMENT 203

TABLE 3.—Sodium bicarbonate dosage (g) required to reach the equilibrium alkalinity value for a given volume based
on the incremental difference from the current alkalinity level.

NaHCO3 Dosage ( g )
System
Volume Alkalinity Increment (mgCaCOa/L)
(gal) (L) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 200
10 38 <1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 15
20 76 1 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 13 25
30 114 2 4 6 8 10 11 13 15 15 20 40
40 151 3 5 8 10 13 15 20 20 25 25 50
50 189 3 6 10 13 15 20 25 25 30 30 65
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60 227 4 8 11 15 20 20 25 30 35 40 65
70 265 5 9 13 20 20 25 30 35 40 45 90
80 303 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 100
90 341 6 11 15 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 110
100 379 6 13 20 25 30 40 45 50 55 65 130
200 757 13 25 40 50 65 75 90 100 no 130 250
300 1136 20 40 55 75 95 110 130 150 170 190 380
400 1514 25 50 75 100 130 150 180 200 220 260 510
500 1893 30 L 65 95 130 160 190 220 260 280 320 640
600 2271 40 75 110 150 190 220 260 300 340 380 760
700 2650 45 90 130 180 220 260 320 360 400 450 890
800 3028 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 1020
900 3407 60 110 170 220 280 340 400 450 500 550 1150
1000 3785 65 130 190 250 300 400 450 500 550 600 1270

tions for temperatures outside this range should be
determined by adjusting the equilibrium constants
and recalculating the appropriate terms as pre-
sented in this section.
Methodology
Table 4 summarizes the seven steps required to
implement a pH adjustment with Tables 1, 2, and
3. The procedure is initiated by measuring the cur-
rent pH and alkalinity in the system of interest.
Second, by using the determined pH and alkalinity
values, the estimated carbon dioxide level in the
system is read from Table 1. This carbon dioxide
level is presumed to remain steady, as it is con-
trolled by the physical gas exchange process.
Third, the operator selects a target pH. Fourth, the
target pH and estimated CO2 are used in Table 2
to identify the final alkalinity required to establish
equilibrium at the desired point. In step 5, the dif-
ference between the current and final alkalinities
is calculated, which defines the required supple-
ment addition in units of concentration. The sys-
tem's total water volume is estimated in Step 6.
Finally, in step 7, the required alkalinity addition
is converted from concentration to dosage by
weight with Table 3.
Data from four representative applications of the
dosage methodology in two different systems are
presented in Table 5. The systems were dosed with
a 99.5%-pure industrial grade sodium bicarbonate
immediately following measurement of the current
pH and alkalinity. The resulting pH and alkalinity
were measured 1 h after dosing to assure complete
dissolution and distribution of the sodium bicar-
bonate throughout the system's components. Sys-
tem volumes were calculated as the total of all
water in the holding tanks, piping, and treatment
components. Sodium bicarbonate dosages were
weighed with a laboratory balance (accurate to 10
g), and alkalinity measurements were conducted
under APHA et al. (1995) guidelines. As the data
in Table 5 indicate, the final pH and alkalinity
values obtained by using the methodology closely
approach the targeted values. Note that the esti-
mated CC>2 contents varied about 1 mg/L for each
system between the two tests. The actual CC>2 level
 204 LOYLESS AND MALONE

TABLE 4.—Seven steps used to determine the amount
of sodium bicarbonate to be added to reach a target pH
from any given set of initial conditions.
Step Action Purpose
1 Measure pH and alkalinity Ascertains current
conditions
2 Read CO2 from Table I Estimates carbon dioxide
level in water
3 Select target pH Establishes desired final
condition
4 Read equilibrium Identities alkalinity level
alkalinity from Table 2 required to reach the
target pH at the
system's operating
carbon dioxide level
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in maintenance of a recirculation system within a
target zone of pH, alkalinity, and carbon dioxide.
The authors adjust the majority of the high-density
growout systems under their control to a pH in the
range of 7.5 to 8.0 and an alkalinity between 150
and 200 mg/L. High carbon dioxide levels (5-15
mg/L) often force values on the lower end of the
pH range (7.5) and the upper end of the alkalinity
range (200 mg/L) to be targeted. These systems
are often operated with TAN levels in the range
of 0.3-0.8 mg/L, with biofiltration units displaying
daily areal nitrification rates greater than 300
mg/m 2 (Wimberly 1990; Chitta 1993; Sastry
1996). This strategy appears to effectively avoid

Calculate difference in Determines the required

severe inhibition of nitrifying bacteria, which can
concentration between alkalinity increment in occur when the pH drops below 7.0 (Thomasson
current and final terms of concentration 1991) or the alkalinity falls below 80 mg/L (Paz
alkalinities 1984). while permitting the adjustment interval to
Estimate total system Enables the conversion of be extended to once or twice a week under high-
volume units from concentration
to mass
density growout conditions.
Broodslock, fry, and fingerling systems, which
Read sodium bicarbonate Converts incremental
dosage to add from alkalinity needed from
are often more appropriately operated under neu-
Table 3 ing/L to grams of tral to slightly acidic conditions, are typically tar-
supplement geted for a pH range of 6.5-7.0 and alkalinities
between 50 and 100 mg/L (Weaver 1991). Al-
though adaptation of the nitrifying populations can
is not believed to have changed, rather the small be anticipated (Haug and McCarty 1972), appli-
discrepancies are a result of the approximate na- cations in this pH regime are usually associated
ture of the measurement procedure and the round- with relatively light nitrogenous loadings, and
ing error in Table 1. Overall, the method worked thus, oversized biofiltration units. Total ammonia
well, achieving results more than accurate enough nitrogen levels in these systems are held below 0.3
for the typical field application. mg/L, and daily areal nitrification rates in the bio-
filters are well below 100 mg/m2.
Discussion Selection of a target pH above 8.0 is generally
The dosage methodology presented is based avoided because of the increasing prevalence of the
upon commonly accepted relationships describing toxic unionized molecular form of ammonia (NH^)
the carbonate alkalinity system and should prove at higher pH values (Lawson 1994). Although a num-
robust across a wide variety of freshwater aqua- ber of authors (Haug and McCarty 1972; Sharma
culture applications. It is intended for routine use and Ahlert 1977) have indicated the optimum for

TABLE 5.—Applications of the proposed methodology indicate the efficacy of the pH adjustment procedure in two
systems on two test dates.

System 1: test date System 2: test date

Variable Data Source 28 Jul 1995 3 Aug 1995 28 Jul 1995 3 Aug 1995
Initial pH Measured 7.88 7.85 7.72 7.40
Initial alkalinity (mg/L) Measured 142 120 172 96
Estimated CO2 (mg/L) Table 1 4 3 7 8
Target pH Selected 8.0 8.0 7.8 7.7
Equilibrium alkalinity (mg/L) Table 2 2(K) 175 220 200
Alkalinity increment (mg/L) Calculated 58 55 48 104
System volume (L) Estimated 1,7(K) 1.700 5.110 5.110
NaHCOj dosage (g) Table 3 170 150 410 820
Final alkalinity (nig/1,) Measured 202 180 218 204
Final pH Measured 8.05 8.00 7.81 7.77
 METHODOLOGY FOR I'M MANAGEMENT
nitrification kinetics falls above 8.0, the increased
threat of stress from accumulations of NH^ and the
increased CC>2 stripping costs outweigh the incre-
mental benefits of marginally downsizing the bio-
filtration unit. Additionally, achieving a high pH in
a CCh-enriched environment by bicarbonate addition
can be costly, particularly for systems operated with
hydraulic retention times less than 10 d, where a
considerable amount of the added buffer will be
flushed from the system.
Summary
The pH in a water-recirculating system equipped
with a CCh-stripping apparatus can be manipulated
through periodic additions of sodium bicarbonate.
Downloaded by [University of South Carolina ] at 02:20 15 April 2013
These additions compensate for the loss of alka-
linity induced by the nitrification processes. Target
pH values in the range of 6.0-8.0 can be achieved
in this CO2-enriched environment by controlling
the level of alkalinity exhaustion. The dosage of
sodium bicarbonate required to reach the desired
pH may be determined by consideration of the
current pH and alkalinity, the degree of CO? en-
richment, and the volume of water in the system.
Acknowledgments
J. Loyless was supported by a Louisiana Board of
Regents' Dean's Fellowship throughout the course
of this project. Portions of the research were funded
by the Louisiana Sea Grant Program, a part of the
National Sea Grant College Program under the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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Received June 17. 1996
Accepted January 17. 1997