Acronimo: PRIMA

Titolo: Bonifica fotocatalitica dell'acqua per una piscicoltura sostenibile

Bando: Call 2019 Section 2

Durata:  48 mesi

Coordinatore: Prof.ssa Elena Selli

Budget BCA: 190.909,60 €

Responsabile scientifico: Prof. Giuseppe Radaelli

Research Team: Ballarin Cristina, Bertotto Daniela, Currò Sarah, Fasolato Luca, Maccatrozzo Lisa, Negrato Elena, Poltronieri Carlo, Radaelli Giuseppe, Trocino Angela

Abstract: The demand for aquatic products is expected to rise to 261 million tonnes by 2030, with 62% of the overall quantity coming from aquaculture production, which is expected to triplicate. The effects of this economic sector on the environment can be significant. The main problems concern water pollution and waste generation which facilitates the emergence of diseases among the species reared with possible health risk also for humans and for biodiversity. Hence, new systems able to reduce these environmental impacts are urgently needed, keeping in mind both market needs and legislation. This proposal aims to develop an easy friendly technology based on a photocatalytic bioremediation technology on two fish farms in a confined environment, to develop water recirculation for more sustainable production systems. To achieve these goals, a photocatalytic treatment system will be applied to two aquaculture specie, Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), in order to test its efficiency in freshwater and seawater systems. The effect of the treated water on fish will be assessed by means of i) water evaluation of nitrogen compounds and microbial community; ii) morpho-functional analysis to evaluate development, growth, environmental stress response and, at the commercial size, productivity and fillet quality and safety. An additional aim is to introduce the photocatalytic treatment system to the market in order to encourage sustainable aquaculture throughout the Mediterranean basin. This project will contribute to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive which both aim to protect aquatic biodiversity and environments. The photocatalytic treatment system is expected to promote not only better environmental and farming conditions, but also additional economic benefits for small-scale fish farming because of the diversification of production and the exploitation of non-edible biomass.