Chemical Properties of Water Mani

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Chemical Properties: Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

 

Along with temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), is important in metabolic regulation. Dissolved oxygen concentration and temp both determine the environmental niche aquaculture organisms occupy. Occupation of niches is controlled by a complex set of behavioral and physiological (acclimatorial) activities. Acclimation is slow with D.O. (hours, weeks)

Chemical Variables: dissolved oxygen (DO)



 

  

although oxygen is rather abundant in the atm (21%), it is only slightly soluble in water (6 mg/L is not much) implications to fish/invertebrates? Even metabolic rates of aqua-communities can aquaeffect rapid changes in [D.O.] this effect increases with temp (interaction) solubility decreases with increased temp/sal other factors: BP (direct), altitude (indirect), impurities (indirect)

Oxygen Solubility Curve

Chemical Variables: Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Factors affecting D.O. consumption:
 Water temperature (2-3x for every 10oC). (2 Environmental (medium) D.O. concentration (determines lower limit).  Fish size (Respiration greater for small vs. large).  Level of activity (resting vs. forced).  Post-feeding period, etc. (2x, 1-6 hrs post Post1feeding).

Chemical Variables: Dissolved Oxygen (DO)



What might be considered minimal levels of maintenance of D.O.? Hard to determine due to compounding effects (cant standardize conditions). Major factor: exposure time For most species:
 long-term: 1.5 mg/L long medium term: 1.0 mg/L  short-term: 0.3 mg/L short-

Chemical Variables: dissolved oxygen (DO)



 

In general warm-water species are more warmtolerant of low D.O. concentrations Ictalurus punctatus: adults/1.0 mg/L, punctatus: fingerlings 0.5 mg/L Procamberus clarkii: adults/2.0 mg/L, clarkii: juveniles/1.0 mg/L Litopenaeus vannamei: adults/0.5-0.8 mg/L vannamei: adults/0.5Litopenaeus stylirostris: adults/1.2-1.4 mg/L stylirostris: adults/1.2-

Chemical Variables: Dissolved Oxygen (DO)



Many practical aquaculturists will recommend that D.O. concentrations do not drop below 6.0 mg/L. This is an impractical guideline in that this level can seldom be achieved at night. A more practical guideline might be to maintain D.O. levels around 90% saturation. No lower than 25% saturation for extended periods

Chemical Variables: Dissolved Oxygen/behavior



If D.O. levels in the medium are adequate, fish meet increased demands due to locomotion or postpost-feeding by increased rate of ventilation or large gulps of water. Declining D.O.: seek zones of higher D.O., reduce activity (reduced MR), stop consumption of feed. Compensatory point: when D.O. demand point: cannot be met by behavioral or physiological responses.

Chemical Variables: Dissolved Oxygen/behavior



  

Upon reaching compensatory point: gaping at surface, removal of oxygen from surface. Shown in both fish and invertebrates. Small aquatic animals are more efficient. Some oxygen provided by glycolysis or anaerobic metabolism, but blood pH drops. pH drop in blood reduces carrying capacity of hemoglobin (hemocyanin?)--> death. (hemocyanin?)-->

Oxygen/Temperature Interaction


Oxygen consumption increases with temperature until a maximum is achieved. Peak consumption rate is maintained over a small temp range. Consumption rate decreases rapidly as temp increases. Lethal temperature finally achieved.

Chemical Variables: Dissolved Oxygen/sources



 

Major producer of D.O. in ponds is primary productivity (up to 80%), diffusion is low (<3%). Incoming water can often be deficient depending upon source water conditions. Major consumers: primary productivity, aquatic species (density dependent), COD. Diel fluctuation Indirect relationships (algae, secchi)

Oxygen Budget
Input Photosynthesis Inflowing water Aeration Diffusion Total Output Overflow, drainage Phyto respiration Benthic respiration Fish/shrimp resp. Total O2 (kg/ha) 4,130 94 99 1,050 5,373 32 3,090 1,040 1,210 5,372 % of total 76.9 1.7 1.8 19.6 100.0 0.6 57.5 19.4 22.5 100.0

Diel Oxygen Fluctuation



Typical pattern = oxygen max during late afternoon. Difference in surface vs. benthic for stratified ponds. Dry season = faster heating at surface and less variation.

Influence of Sunlight on Photosynthesis/O2 Production

Photorespiration: predictable

Chemical Variables: Total Alkalinity



Total Alkalinity: the total amount of Alkalinity: titratable bases in water expressed as mg/L of equivalent CaCO3. Alkalinity is primarily composed of the following ions: CO3-, HCO3-, hydroxides, ammonium, borates, silicates, phosphates. Alkalinity in ponds is determined by both the quality of the water and bottom muds. Calcium is often added to water to increase its alkalinity, buffer against pH changes.

Chemical Variables: Total Alkalinity



  

Thus, a total alkalinity determination of 200 mg/L would indicate good buffering capacity of a water source. Natural freshwater alkalinity varies between 5 mg/L (soft water) to over 500 mg/L (hard water). Natural seawater is around 115-120 mg/L. 115Seldom see pH problems in natural seawater. Water having alkalinity reading of less than 30 mg/L are problematic.

Chemical Variables: Total Alkalinity

Total Alkalinity level can be associated with several potential problems in aquaculture:  < 50 mg/L: copper compounds are more toxic, avoid their use as algicides.  Natural waters with less than 40 mg/L alkalinity as CaCO3 have limited. biofiltration capacity, pH independent  Low alkalinity = low CO2 --> low nat prod. -->  Low alkalinity = high pH.

Chemical Variables: Total Hardness



 

Total Hardness: total concentration of metal Hardness: ions expressed in terms of mg/L of equivaequivalent CaCO3. Primary ions are Ca2+ and Mg2+, also iron and manganese. Total Hardness approximates total alkalinity. Calcium is used for bone and exoskeleton formation and absorbed across gills. Soft water = molt problems, bone deformities.

Chemical Variables: pH


 

pH: the level or intensity of a substances acidic or basic character. pH: pH: the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration (activity) of a substance. pH = -log(1/[H+]). Ionization of water is low (1x10-7 moles of H+/L and 1x10-7 moles OH-/L). Neutral pH = similar levels of H+ and OH-

Chemical Variables: pH


 

  

At acidic pH levels, the quantity of H+ predominates. Acidic pH = pH < 7, basic = pH >7 Most natural waters: pH of 5-10, usually 6.556.59; however, there are exceptions. Acid rain, pollution. Can change due to atm CO2, fish respiration. pH of ocean water is stable (carbonate buffering system, later).

Chemical Variables: pH


Other sources of change:

 Decay of organic matter.  Oxidation of compounds in bottom sediments.  Depletion of CO2 by phytoplankton on diel basis.  Oxidation of sulfide containing minerals in bottom soils (e.g., oxidation of iron pyrite by sulfide oxidizing bacteria under anaerobic conditions).

Chemical Variables: Carbon Dioxide

 

 

Normal component of all natural waters. Sources: Sources: atmospheric diffusion, respiration of cultured species, biological oxidation of organic compounds. Usually transported in the blood as HCO3Converted to CO2 at the gill interface, diffusion into medium. As the level of CO2 in the medium increases, the gradient allowing diffusion is less.

Chemical Variables: Carbon Dioxide

This causes blood CO2 levels to increase, lowering blood pH.  With lower blood pH, carrying capacity of hemoglobin decreases, also binding affinity for oxygen to hemoglobin.  This phenomenon is known as the BohrBohrRoot effect.  CO2 also interferes with oxygen uptake by eggs and larvae.


CO2 Level Affects Hemoglobin Saturation

Chemical Variables: carbon dioxide



In the marine environment, excesses of CO2 are mitigated by the carbonate buffering system. CO2 reacts with water to produce H2CO3, carbonic acid. H2CO3 reacts with CaCO3 to form HCO3(bicarbonate) and CO32- (carbonate). As CO2 is used for photosynthesis, the reaction shifts to the left, converting bicarbonates back to CO2. What large-scale implications does this have? large-

The Effect of pH on Carbonate Buffering

Chemical Variables: carbon dioxide



Concentrations of CO2 are small, even though it is highly soluble in water inverse relationship between [CO2] and temperature/salinity thus, CO2 solubility depends upon many factors

Chemical Variable: Carbon Dioxide



  

CO2 is not particularly toxic to fish or invertebrates, given sufficient D.O. is available. Maximum tolerance level appears to be around 50 mg/L for most species. Good working level of around 15-20 mg/L. 15Diel fluctuation opposite to that of D.O. Higher levels in warmer months of year.