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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #414765

Research Project: Sustaining Productivity and Ecosystem Services of Agricultural and Horticultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Gypsum increases orthophosphate and blue-green algae in catfish production ponds

Author
item WILSON, A - Auburn University
item ZINNERT, H - Auburn University
item GANEGODA, J - Auburn University
item JOHNSON, P - Auburn University
item Torbert Iii, Henry
item Beck, Benjamin

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2024
Publication Date: 12/6/2024
Citation: Wilson, A.E., Zinnert, H., Ganegoda, J.S., Johnson, P.P., Torbert III, H.A., Beck, B.H. 2024. Gypsum increases orthophosphate and blue-green algae in catfish production ponds. Popular Publication. 2024(2):12-13.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Gypsum (calcium sulfate; typically, as a by-product of flue gas desulfurization) is commonly applied to ponds to increase hardness (i.e., concentration of calcium and magnesium in water) that supports the development and physiological maintenance in fish (Wurts and Durborow 1991). However, relatively little is known regarding the influence of gypsum additions on water quality. To understand how an application of gypsum (500 mg/L) affected water quality in active hybrid catfish production ponds, a whole pond experiment at a catfish farm in west Alabama was conducted and showed large effects of gypsum on several important water quality parameters, such as hardness ('), alkalinity ('), phosphorus ('; including total and dissolved forms), and blue-green algae ('). Such impacts of gypsum on available nutrients that promote toxic and/or off-flavor producing blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) could harm aquaculture production and reduce profitability, as the presence of off flavors in fish flesh results in spoilage and decreased market value.