Understanding water quality dynamics in aquaculture ponds in Sunyani, Ghana: Insights from Partial Least Squares (PLS)-Path Modeling

Understanding water quality dynamics in aquaculture ponds in Sunyani, Ghana: Insights from Partial Least Squares (PLS)-Path Modeling

Nicole EG Otoo, Peter O Sanful, Wahab A Iddrisu, Solomon Amfoh, Okyere K Boateng

Oreochromis niloticus, and African catfish Clarias gariepinus, were selected for the study. Eleven fish ponds with stock ranging between 7-21 days were randomly selected and sampled at monthly intervals for five months, with the aim of capturing water quality patterns through a full production cycle. Seventeen parameters were measured and analyzed using Partial Least Squares (PLS)-Path Modeling. Most ponds had unusually shallow depths, characterized by excessive stocking densities of 200% on average above recommended rates. This necessitates high feeding rates, thereby reducing the assimilative capacity of ponds. The effect of feeding intensity on water quality increased with stock age. Persistent algal blooms, low DO, high temperatures and elevated levels of ammonia, nitrite, phosphate, TDS and conductivity were indicative of generally poor water quality. The model showed that 82% variability in water quality was due to production inputs. Standard stocking rates, feeding rates and construction of deeper ponds are recommended.

Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture Research

2019

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=ECTxVnYAAAAJ&citation_for_view=ECTxVnYAAAAJ:QIV2ME_5wuYC

English