Nutrient removal in a closed silvofishery system using three mangrove species (Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle)

Abstract The removal of ammonium (NH 4 + ), nitrite (NO 2 − ), nitrate (NO 3 − ), and phosphate (PO 4 −3 ) in a closed silvofishery system was examined using three mangrove species (i.e., Avicennia germinans , Laguncularia racemosa , and Rhizophora mangle ). Specifically, six closed tanks were installed for this experiment with a population of 60 Dormitator latifrons fishes per tank. We planted 40 seedlings in each of three experimental tanks separated by species, while the remaining tanks were used as control. During 15 weeks, nutrient concentrations among the three mangrove systems presented no significant differences ( P  > 0.05). However, nutrient removal variability was minimum during the last 2–5 weeks. Mangroves presented an average efficiency of 63% for the removal of NH 4 + and NO 2 − . Contrary, the average removal potential of NO 3 − and PO 4 −3 was 50%. Results from this study suggest that the three mangrove species could be used in a closed silvofishery systems for the biological removal of NH 4 + , NO 2 − , NO 3 − , and PO 4 −3 .