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Water pollution by Pangasius production in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: causes and options for control
Author(s) -
Anh Pham Thi,
Kroeze Carolien,
Bush Simon R,
Mol Arthur P J
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2010.02578.x
Subject(s) - pangasius , effluent , wastewater , environmental science , pollution , sewage treatment , nutrient pollution , environmental engineering , catfish , fishery , biology , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology
In this paper, we analyse water pollution caused by farming and processing Pangasianodon hypophthalmus in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The results show that 1 tonne of frozen fillets releases 740 kg BOD, 1020 kg COD, 2050 kg TSS, 106 kg nitrogen and 27 kg phosphorus, of which wastewater from fish ponds contributes 60–90% and sludge from fish ponds and wastewater from processing facilities contributes 3–27% of the total emissions. Overall, the combined waste emissions from Pangasius production and processing account for <1% of the total TSS, nitrogen and phosphorus loads in the Mekong Delta. Despite the relatively low contribution to water pollution, further reductions are possible through more efficient use of inputs and low‐cost treatment and re‐use of effluent streams. The use of cleaner production technologies and the development of wastewater treatment plants could be applied to large farms and processing facilities to reduce water pollution in Pangasius processing. Low‐cost options for small‐scale farms include the optimization of the discharge design for the re‐use of wastewater.