ABSTRACT
Nitrification
is the biological oxidation of ammonia into nitrite, followed by the oxidation
of nitrite into nitrate by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and Achaea. NH3
removal is beneficial to the plant system as build up is dangerous. Presence
and activities of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite oxidizing
bacteria (NOB) in freshwater fishpond of a circulating aquaponics system was
examined in respect to random points in the aquaponics system (the fish tank,
the bio-filter, and the line supplying water to the plants). The samples FT4,
FT6, BF5, BF6, BF1, LN1, LN2, and LN3 were all rod-like in shape, when viewed
with 40 objective light compound microscope.While samples BF7 and FT7 were both
circular in shape. samples FT4, FT6, FT7, BF5, BF6, BF1, LN1, LN2 and LN3
retained their primary dye ( blueblack colouration). Sample BF7 retained its
secondary colour (pink colouration). , samples FT4, FT5, LN2, LN3, LN1 were all
in chains. Samples FT6, BF6, and BF1 were spaced. Samples BF7 FT7 were clustered
together. From the statistical analysis, it was deduced that nitrifying
bacteria can be isolated from any point in the aquaponics unit. Most nitrifying
bacteria were discovered to have good yield of plasmid DNA. The potential nitrification
activities and oxidation rates were shown to be linear and activity of
ammonia-oxidizingand nitriteoxidizing bacteria was highest in samples from the
bio-filter.
CHAPTER
ONE
1.1
INTRODUCTION
Most of the nitrogen
available to the biosphere exists as N2 in the atmosphere, and is
not useful to most organisms until it is "fixed" either biologically
or abiotically (by lightning or aurorae, or industrially). Once it is fixed
into NH3, usually it is either assimilated and transformed into
organic N or nitrified into NO3-. (NASA-Amens 1996). Nitrification
is the process by which ammonia is converted to nitrites (NO2-) and then
nitrate (NO3-). This process naturally
occurs in the environment, where it is carried out by specialized bacteria
(Remay, 2000). The bacteria that carry out nitrification are called “Nitrifying
bacteria” (AOBs and NOBs).
In the environments
with high inputs of a nutrient such as freshwater fish ponds, mineralization of
organic substances as a result of over-feeding and excretion increases the
ammonia concentration which is harmful to fish and shrimp (Goldman et al., 1985). Since microbial processes
affect water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonium,
nitrite, nitrate etc. (Moriarty, 1996), hence bacteria in ponds play important
role in maintaining the water column chemistry (Vibha, 2011).
Aquaponics is the
integration of a hydroponic plant
production system with a recirculating aquaculture system. In a simple
aquaponic system, nutrient-rich effluent from the fish tank flows through
filters (for solids removal and biofiltration) and then into the plant
production unit before returning to the fish tank (Christopher, 2015).
Ammonia becomes toxic
to plants at certain concentration. This toxicity ranges from causing stunted growth
in the plant to inhibiting germination of the seedling (Brain, 2014).
The present study was
undertaken to determine the occurrence of nitrifying bacteria (Ammonia
oxidizing bacteria [AOB] and Nitrite oxidizing bacteria [NOB]), in relation to
the plants ability to utilize the ammonia produced from fresh-water fishpond in
an aquaponic system in National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Abuja.
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
In large urban areas,
conventional agriculture is almost impossible, and this is as a result of lack
of space for establishment of agricultural field. And it has consequently
resulted to unsustainable supply of fresh, local, organic produce.
Aquaponics system which should have
provided a reliable answer to the problem also has a little challenge on its
own. Ammonia is produced by the fish’s respiratory system and is discharged
through their gills. Buildup of ammonia in the fish tank eventually kill them
(dead fishes will also produce ammonia). Also buildup of ammonia concentration
in the system becomes toxic to the plant, such as causing stunted growth
(Brain, 2014). Introduction of Nitrifying bacteria can help shorten the lag
phase in starting up aquaponics system, which usually pose loss of resources
and frustration on beginners.
1.2
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The general objective
of the study is to determine if there are ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and
nitrite oxidizing bacteria NOB in Fresh water pond of Aquaponics system in
NABDA Abuja. The specific objectives include;
1.
Isolation of bacteria from the fresh
water fishpond of aquaponics system in NABDA.
2.
To identify ammonia oxidizing bacteria
(AOB) and nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB)
associated with aquaponics system .
3.
To identify specific locations of these
bacteria in the culture system.
4.
To identify and characterize these
bacteria.
1.3
SCOPE OF STUDIES
Under the auspices of
this study, microbial work was carried out in the aspect of isolation of the
organisms from the fishpond and gram-identification of the isolates.
Also a biochemical test
will be carried out to evaluate the nitrifying potential of the isolates.
Molecular work will be
also done by isolating plasmids from the bacteria.
Then a Nano technique
will be used to quantify the concentration of the plasmids per isolate, using a
Nano-drop spectrophotometer.
1.4
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This research work
will provide information on the presence and types of bacteria or a bacteria
culture in the Aquaponics or hydroponics system. Also the work will explore the
plasmids available in the bacteria for future use in recombinant DNA technology
for cloning and possibly in bio-remediation. ================================================================
Item Type: Project Material | Attribute: 42 pages | Chapters: 1-5
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