Soils in Pond Aquaculture

Abstract

Water is the medium in which aquaculture is conducted, and much has been written about water supply, water quality, and water quality management for aquaculture ponds. Soil also is a key factor in aquaculture, but much less attention is given to soil condition than to water supply and water quality. Most ponds are built from and in soil. Many dissolved and suspended substances in water are derived from contact with soil. Pond bottom soils are the storehouse for many substances that accumulate in pond ecosystems, and chemical and biological processes occurring in surface layers of pond soils influence water quality and aquacultural production. An understanding of soil properties and the reactions and processes in soils can be useful in pond aquaculture.