High-density aquaculture models are prone to huge economic losses due to water quality deterioration and the breeding of pathogenic microorganisms.
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology, a proven physical disinfection method, is widely used in aquaculture to eliminate viruses and microorganisms in water. Both large-scale recirculating aquaculture systems and small-scale hatcheries require UV disinfection processes:
· Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS): RAS systems use a water recirculation treatment system to conserve water resources and control the aquaculture environment. UV disinfection devices are typically installed after physical and biological filtration to eliminate pathogens that may accumulate in the circulating water, preventing disease outbreaks and spread within the system.
· Water Treatment in Hatcheries and Hatcheries: The early life stages of fish, shrimp, crab, and shellfish are extremely sensitive to pathogens. UV disinfection can be used to treat raw or recirculating water entering hatchery ponds or hatchery tanks, significantly reducing the total number of pathogens and improving hatchery survival rates.
Ozone Destruction: In RAS systems that also utilize ozone oxidation, UV light (at a specific wavelength) can also be used to decompose residual ozone in the water, preventing its toxicity to aquaculture organisms.
The effectiveness of UV disinfection depends primarily on the UV dose:
UV dose (UVDose) is the most critical parameter determining disinfection effectiveness. Different farmed fish species are susceptible to different pathogens, and different microorganisms are effectively inactivated by UV radiation, requiring specific doses.
Applications of Ozone Disinfection Technology in Aquaculture:
Ozone (O3) is a strong oxidant that effectively oxidizes and decomposes dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water, such as organic acids and humus produced by the decomposition of leftover bait and feces. Ozone can partially oxidize ammonia nitrogen (NH3/NH4+) and nitrite (NO2-), which are toxic to aquaculture organisms, into less toxic nitrate (NO-). It can also oxidize and remove harmful gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
One of the end products of ozone decomposition in water is oxygen, which can effectively increase the dissolved oxygen content in the water and improve the living environment for aquaculture organisms.
Ozone treatment can reduce or even replace the use of some traditional disinfectants and antibiotics, reducing the risk of drug residues and contributing to the production of green aquatic products.
Application Scenarios of Ozone Technology in Aquaculture:
Industrial Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS):
· Nursery and juvenile rearing
· Improving feed conversion and promoting growth
· Temporary holding and purification of seafood
UV-Ozone Synergistic AOPS Process:
The core of the UV/ozone synergy lies in the catalytic decomposition of ozone by UV light. When UV light of a specific wavelength (typically 254nm) is irradiated into water containing ozone, ozone molecules absorb the UV energy and decompose, producing a series of highly reactive intermediates. The most important is the highly oxidizing hydroxyl radical (·OH), a non-selective, strong oxidant.
Application Scenarios:
High-density, high-standard industrial recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are nursery and seed preservation systems with extremely high water quality and biosafety requirements.
Municipal Wastewater
Municipal water supply
Recycled Water Reuse
Township water supply and drainage
Industrial Park
New pollutant control
Water ecological restoration project
