Aquaculture 2025

March 6 - 10, 2025

New Orleans, Louisiana USA

OPTIMIZING CARBON STORAGE IN AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS: A STUDY ON SPECIES SELECTION AND FARMING PRACTICES

Kamal Gosh*, Malcolm McCallum, Tremar Ivey, and Ander Compere

Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources,

Langston University, Langston, OK 73050

kgosh@langston.edu

 



Aquaculture ponds, often neglected in national carbon budgets, present significant potential for carbon storage. This study investigates the carbon absorption rates of pond sediments in relation to fish species selection, pond age, and fish farming practices. A standardized soil sampling protocol was employed, collecting sediment samples of 200-300g from a depth of 20 cm using a hand core sampler, based on the methodology from Gilbert et al., 2021. To ensure consistency, all samples were collected by the same individual and analyzed at the Oklahoma State University Soil Testing Lab. Soils from channel catfish, koi, and bluegill ponds were sampled, with four catfish ponds, two koi ponds, and two bluegill ponds included in the study. A questionnaire gathered data on physical, chemical, and fish farming management factors. The results showed that carbon absorption rates varied significantly between species, with bluegill ponds having the highest organic matter and total carbon content, followed by catfish and koi ponds. Carbon absorption was also analyzed in relation to pond age and management practices such as stocking rate, feed, and total production, with bluegill ponds again demonstrating the highest absorption rates. This study underscores the potential for improving carbon storage in aquaculture ponds, emphasizing the importance of fish species, pond age, and management practices in carbon sequestration strategies. These findings offer valuable insights into the role of aquaculture systems in mitigating climate change impacts.