2005 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Limited water resources and emphasis on effluent pollution reduction have created a more difficult economic, social and regulatory environment for aquaculture production facilities. This project improves the production efficiency of cool and cold water aquatic species by investigating technology and management issues limiting the development of economically efficient large-scale recirculating aquaculture systems. Production system research, conducted at a commercial scale, is focused on the reduction of water use and effluents using recirculating systems that incorporate improved or new approaches for biofiltration, gas exchange, rearing containment, biosecurity, feed application, biosolids control, water quality monitoring and control, and biomass harvest, assessment and transfer. Improved waste management processes and guidelines are developed by linking with production system management and design. Integrated aquatic animal health management research focuses on the interrelationship between physical system design, the aquatic environment and occurrence of disease in intensively cultured fish. This work will provide more cost-effective, reliable, biosecure, and environmentally compatible aquaculture production systems and management practices. 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. The following timeline of milestones was based on an original CRIS that began March 28, 2001. In the CRIS proposal, milestones were scheduled over a working timeline of 60 months. However, the Cooperative Agreement did not actually begin until September 1, 2001, and was terminated August 31, 2005, in order for this project to be replaced with a new CRIS titled, Development of Sustainable Land-Based Aquaculture Production Systems. Because this project lasted only 48 months, instead of 60 months, the milestones that were originally going to be finished in FY 2006 were moved up to a target completion in FY 2005. The three major objectives of this research are to: I. Develop aquaculture production systems that are economically viable, scaled to commercial relevance and are environmentally compatible. II. Develop technologies and management practices that assure sustainability and environmental compatibility of intensive aquaculture systems. III. Develop management practices and technologies that improve stock health and enhance production efficiency under intensive fish culture conditions. FY 2004 I. Develop more efficient and less polluting aquaculture production systems: a. Complete evaluation of the hydrodynamics and solids fractionation within Cornell-type dual-drain rearing tanks. b. Develop and assess harvesting, grading, and inventory management technologies for large and deep circular culture tanks. c. Evaluate advanced oxidation technologies, i.e., use of ozone and UV irradiation. d. Develop dynamic systems for carbon dioxide and oxygen control. e. Assess ultrasonic waste feed control in large production tanks. f. Evaluate CycloBio fluidized-sand biofilter technology. II. Improve waste management practices: a. Evaluate waste minimization and concentration techniques within water recirculation systems and waste treatment technologies on the aquaculture effluent. b. Evaluate physical-chemical treatment methods for nutrient removal, i.e., use of jar test apparatus to evaluate polymer and/or alum for phosphorus removal. c. Assess capture and thickening of waste biosolids in radial-flow settlers. d. Develop processes to treat the overtopping flow discharged from biosolids thickening tanks, i.e., use of polymer and/or alum to precipitate phosphorus and flocculate suspended solids. III. Integrated Aquatic Animal Health Management: a. Select and interview participating fish farms and then sample fish and water for bacterial gill disease (Flavobacterium branchiophilum). b. Develop laboratory challenges for bacterial gill disease. FY 2005 I. Develop more efficient and less polluting aquaculture production systems: a. Complete evaluation of technologies to treat the concentrated waste discharged from the bottom-drain of Cornell-type dual-drain rearing tanks; also, develop guidelines for the design of Cornell-type dual-drain rearing tanks.. b. Complete evaluations and develop guidelines and recommendations for harvesting, grading, and inventory management technologies for large and deep circular culture tanks. c. Complete evaluations and develop design criteria for application of advanced oxidation technologies, i.e., use of ozone and UV irradiation. d. Complete evaluations and develop guidelines for the design of dynamic systems for carbon dioxide and oxygen control. e. Complete evaluations and make final recommendations for application of ultrasonic waste feed control in large production tanks. f. Complete evaluations of the CycloBio and develop comprehensive guidelines for the design and management of fluidized-sand biofilter technology. II. Improve waste management practices: a. Develop integrated waste management guidelines and make recommendations for best aquaculture waste management practices. b. Evaluate physical-chemical treatment methods for nutrient removal, i.e., use of chitosan to promote flocculation of particles entering fluidized-sand biofilters in order to achieve simultaneous particulate removal while oxidizing ammonia to nitrate. c. Assess capture and thickening of waste biosolids using an inclined traveling belt filter and geotextile tube filters. d. Develop processes to treat the overtopping flow discharged from biosolids thickening tanks, i.e., use of aerobic treatment basins. III. Integrated Aquatic Animal Health Management: a. Develop management practices for prevention and control of bacterial gill disease (Flavobacterium branchiophilum). b. Transfer bacterial gill disease information for vaccine development. 4a.What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Near Zero Discharge Using Membrane Biological Reactors To Reclaim Saline Wastewater Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) reduce water use and place waterborne wastes into concentrated and relatively small discharges. When a RAS is operated at high salinities for culture of marine species, recovering the saltwater contained in the backwash effluent would allow for reuse within the RAS and reduce salt discharge to the environment. Scientists at the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (Shepherdstown, WV) evaluated a pilot-plant membrane biological reactor (MBR) to determine ease of operation and effectiveness at removing bacteria, turbidity, suspended solids, and nutrients from the biosolids backwash flow discharged from RAS. Results indicate that the pilot-scale MBR system removed in excess of 99% of the suspended solids, carbonaceous BOD, and bacteria, as well as more than 93% of the total nitrogen contained within the backwash flow when operated at salinity levels of 0 ppt, 8 ppt, 16 ppt, and 32 ppt. Mean concentration exiting the MBR over the four salinities tested ranged from 0.3-2.5 mg/L for TSS, 0.6-1.4 mg/L for cBOD, 2.6-3.9 mg/L for Total Nitrogen, and 1.5-8.2 mg/L for Total Phosphorus. The high degree of treatment provided by the MBR system would protect the environment and provide the opportunity to reclaim saline discharge flow. 4b.List other significant accomplishments, if any. Improving Humane Slaughter of Rainbow Trout at Harvest An optimal slaughter method should be humane, result in excellent product quality and food safety, and be efficient and safe for users. Researchers at The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (Shepherdstown, WV) evaluated a prototype percussive stunning system (Model SI-2, Seafood Innovations, Brisbane, Australia) for slaughter of food-size (0.8-1.0 kg) rainbow trout. During four trials, the prototype stunner provided stun rates of 92.7, 93.5, 96.3, and 90.7% for trout that averaged 0.8-1.0 kg/fish. The automatic percussive stunning system provided a nearly instantaneous percussive blow to the top of the fish’s skull, which, when compared to other methods, appeared to be a relatively humane process that also improved harvest efficiency and worker safety. New Aquaculture Effluent Treatment Technology Provides Simultaneous Ammonia and Solids Removal More effective methods of waste control are necessary to remove total suspended solids and dissolved waste products from large, but relatively dilute, aquaculture effluents. Scientists at The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (Shepherdstown, WV) demonstrated that the flocculating agent chitosan, when added to an aquaculture effluent pumped through fluidized sand biofilters, produced simultaneous removal of suspended solids and ammonia. Adding only 0.5 mg/L of dissolved chitosan to the water entering the biofilters allowed the units to achieve suspended solids and ammonia nitrogen removal efficiencies of 65.1 ± 2.5 and 84.3 ± 1.3 %, respectively, and maintained mean suspended solids and ammonia nitrogen effluent concentrations of 1.60 ± 0.11 mg/L and 0.11 ± 0.01 mg/L, respectively. The fluidized beds dosed with chitosan were shown to capture fine solids at the same time that the bed maintained effective nitrification. The filter system never requires backwashing and shows great potential for significantly reducing solids and ammonia in relatively large but dilute aquaculture effluents. Improving Suspended Solids and Phosphorus Settling Using Alum and Polymers Phosphorus, discharged by aquaculture systems, is one of the nutrients of high regulatory concern due to its impact on receiving bodies of water. Scientists at the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (Shepherdstown, WV) conducted standard jar test studies to evaluate the effectiveness of commercial coagulation-flocculation polymers with alum for removing both suspended solids and phosphorus from drum filter backwash flow from an intensive recirculating aquaculture system. The effluent total suspended solids removal rate was close to 99%, with final TSS values ranging from as low as 4 to 20 mg/L and reactive phosphorus was reduced by 92 to 99% to as low as 0.16 mg/L-P. Application of coagulation-flocculation chemicals improved capture of fine solids and total phosphorus, resulting in a more environmentally sustainable effluent discharge. Improving Biosolids Capture and Thickening Using an Inclined Belt Filter Waste biosolids contained in aquaculture facilities’ filter backwash flows must be captured and thickened for cost-effective disposal. Scientists at The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (Shepherdstown, WV) evaluated an inclined belt filter for removing and thickening these biosolids. Alum as a coagulant aid was moderately efficient at removing solids (82%) and very efficient at sequestering reactive phosphorus (96%), with resulting effluent concentrations less than 0.07 mg/L-P at the highest alum dose tested (100 mg/L). Several commercially available polymers used at low dose (15 mg/L) were also effective at removing suspended solids (96%), but removed only 40% of the reactive phosphorus. When the optimum doses of alum and polymer were applied in combination, the inclined belt filter increased the dry matter content of the sludge to approximately 10% solids, and reduced suspended solids and soluble phosphorus concentration of the effluent by 95% and 80%, respectively. By eliminating the need for settling tanks or ponds, the leaching of nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen) is minimized and the dewatered sludge is in a form that fish farmers could readily transport, store, or send for disposal. Microbiological Pathways for Nitrogen Removal from Recirculating Aquaculture Systems After oxygen, ammonia-nitrogen buildup from metabolism of feed is usually the factor limiting production in intensive aquaculture systems. Scientists at the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (Shepherdstown, WV) and Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) examined three nitrogen conversion pathways traditionally used for the removal of ammonia-nitrogen in aquaculture systems: photoautotrophic removal of ammonia by algae, autotrophic bacterial conversion of ammonia-nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen, and heterotrophic bacterial conversion of ammonia-nitrogen directly to microbial biomas. A set of stoichiometric balanced relationships using half-reaction relationships was developed and effects on water quality were determined. The impact of the carbon to nitrogen ratio of feed and with carbon supplementation on heterotrophic metabolism of ammonia was further examined in relationship to zero-exchange aquaculture production systems. This research provides fish farmers with valuable insight into water quality control mechanisms that can be applied to zero-exchange production systems. 4c.List any significant activities that support special target populations. Freshwater Institute scientists have provided technical support in aquaculture engineering, fish health and biosecurity, and trout and Arctic char culture across the Appalachian region. This work supports economic development in a region where many counties are rated as economically distressed and unemployment rates are greater than 10%. Across the Appalachian states of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, there are many natural resources that appear to represent potential development opportunities. Current production figures indicate that the Mid-Atlantic Highlands region has not yet participated in the general expansion of the aquaculture industry in the U.S. 4d.Progress report. Rainbow trout were stocked into the partial-reuse fingerling system and the fully recirculating growout system and a sequential stocking and selective harvest strategy was used to sustain high rainbow trout biomass productivity under maximum design production densities of 60-90 kg/m3. Sustained continuous production approached nearly 1 metric ton of marketable fish per week. During the FY 2004-2005 period of production system research at The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (TCFFI), almost 50 mton of approximately 0.9 kg rainbow trout were produced, harvested, and then donated to the Virginia Food Banks Consortium, the America’s Second Harvest program partner, and to local Union Rescue Missions in Martinsburg, WV, Hagerstown, MD and Winchester, VA. Freshwater Institute and University of Connecticut scientists have identified a bacterium that infects gill of Arctic char as a chlamydia-like bacterium (CLB). Work on gene sequencing, organism identification, and assay development has resulted in molecular assays to support investigation of reservoirs of infection of this “emerging” CLB. Identification of these reservoirs is necessary for development of strategies for prevention, control and treatment of this respiratory disease. A manuscript describing the pathology of a case of chronic diarrhea in Arctic char was accepted with minor revisions by the Journal of the European Association of Fish Pathologists. Revisions are in progress. 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. New or improved technologies, aquaculture production practices, and engineering design criteria were produced over the life of this project. This research contributed to increased application of technology to aquatic animal production and the development of economically viable, globally competitive, and environmentally responsible aquaculture production systems. This research has been used to improve the production efficiency of warm (e.g., tilapia), cool (e.g., walleye, yellow perch, and hybrid striped bass), and cold water (e.g., rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Atlantic salmon smolt) aquatic species that are cultured within large-scale recirculating aquaculture systems. Improvements in culture tank and biofilter design, and in carbon dioxide and dissolved oxygen control will help fish farmers improve culture tank water quality, increase production capacity, and reduce fish farm production costs. Crowding, lifting, sorting and slaughter methods during fish harvest were developed or improved. Reduced labor requirements, improved worker safety, and food quality and increased animal well-being result from this research. The following new or improved aquaculture production practices, technologies, and engineering design criteria were produced: • Water distribution structures were developed to better control rotational velocities and mixing within dual-drain circular culture tanks. Critical design parameters required to achieve rapid solids flushing through the tank’s bottom-center drain were also determined. These culture tank design details have been implemented at fish farms across North America to improve culture tank water quality and reduce fish farm capital costs by combining the function of high density rearing containment with the ability to separate settleable biosolids into a relatively small bottom center drain flow. • Two settling basin designs that remove solids from the flow exiting the bottom center drain of the dual-drain tanks were compared and the radial-flow settling basin design was found to approximately double the efficiency of suspended solids removal. Equipment suppliers are now marketing the improved settling basin design and commercial fish farmers have retrofitted to the improved settling basin design. • A clam-shell type crowder grader system and an air-lift fish pump and dewatering/sorting chamber were developed and used to reduce labor and fish handling stress when grading and harvesting large and deep circular culture tanks. These commercial-scale fish transfer technologies will help fish farms reduce labor requirements. • A prototype automatic percussive stunning system (Model SI-2, Seafood Innovations, Brisbane, Australia) was evaluated and found to provide a nearly instantaneous percussive blow to the top of the fish’s skull. The automatic percussive stunning system appeared to be a relatively humane process to kill the fish that also improved harvest efficiency and worker safety. Several rainbow trout producers are now considering using this new technology. • Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation dosages required to destroy dissolved ozone and inactivate bacteria in recirculating systems for salmonid production were determined. Ozone dosages required to inactivate bacteria in recirculating systems for salmonid production were identified. These findings will produce more biosecure aquatic production systems that sustain healthier and more growth promoting environments. • A paper defining the “state-of-the-art” in fluidized-sand biofilter design and management was published. Presentation and publication of the design and management guidelines parameters have helped to educate engineering consultants and fish farmers on these complex to design but highly-efficient biofilters. • Dynamic systems for dissolved carbon dioxide and oxygen control were developed and assessed within intensive recirculating aquaculture systems. The gas transfer and process control systems developed are now being used to improve culture tank water quality and increase carrying capacity within high-intensity fish production systems. • Production of dissolved carbon dioxide within a fluidized-sand biofilter was quanitified and compared to the carbon dioxide production due to respiration of the cultured fish. These findings have led to an improved design approach for sizing and locating carbon dioxide stripping units for improving water quality control and fish growth efficiency within commercial recirculating aquaculture systems. • Ultrasonic waste feed control was evaluated and found to achieve satiation feeding with minimal feed wastage in large production tanks. The commercialization of this product was set back when the commercial partner that had intended to build and market the ultrasonic waste feed controller went out of business. Wastewater management strategies and technology that producers can select as the most appropriate for their existing aquaculture operation were generated from this research. Industry-wide aquaculture operations that meet or exceed state and proposed EPA effluent standards for aquaculture will become more common. The following new or improved technologies and waste management practices were developed: • Best waste management practice (BMP) guidelines for recirculating systems were developed and published in a report prepared by the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture for the United States Environmental Protection Agency under an Interagency Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research. • A pilot-plant membrane biological reactor (MBR) was evaluated and determined to require little membrane maintenance while removing more than 99% of suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, and bacteria found in high solid and nutrient laden filter backwash flows. This research has provided design and management recommendations that can be used by fish farmers to reduce waste discharge and increase water reuse, especially in applications where inland marine recirculating systems can save money by reclaiming their saltwater discharge. • An inclined belt filter using coagulation and flocculation aids (i.e., alum and/or polymers) was evaluated for removing and thickening suspended solids and phosphorus from the microscreen backwash discharged from intensive recirculating aquaculture systems. Inclined belt filter design and management recommendations are being developed to improve waste capture, dewatering, and disposal at both private and public intensive aquaculture facilities. • A high-rate aerobic treatment process was evaluated for removing ammonia, soluble BOD, and some soluble phosphorus from the overtopping flow discharged from biosolids thickening tanks. Findings will be used to design aerobic treatment basins that can rapidly remove wastes from what is arguably the dirtiest effluent . • Optimum conditions required to produce coagulation, flocculation, and settling of suspended solids and phosphorus in microscreen filter backwash flows using alum, various polymers, or a combination of the two were identified so as to improve waste removal from aquaculture biosolids thickening and settling treatment systems. Results are being used to improve waste capture, dewatering, and disposal at both private and public intensive aquaculture facilities. • Fluidized sand biofilters dosed with chitosan were shown to capture fine solids at the same time that the bed maintained effective nitrification. The novel filter system developed will never require backwashing and shows great potential for significantly reducing solids and ammonia in fish farms that produce relatively large but dilute aquaculture effluents. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Scientists at the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (Shepherdstown, WV) are transferring information directly to fish farmers through personal contact technical assistance, group tours and visits to the research facility, publication and presentations at industry meetings and focused workshops. Specific information on biosecurity, biofiltration, disinfection, tank design, product quality, fish health, effluent waste treatment, water resource characterization, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide management have been provided to industry stakeholders and academic colleagues. This research has been used to improve the production efficiency of warm (e.g., tilapia), cool (e.g., walleye, yellow perch, and hybrid striped bass), and cold water (e.g., rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Atlantic salmon smolt) aquatic species that are cultured within large-scale recirculating aquaculture systems. Innovative research on recirculating system design and management and fish harvest technologies has provided the aquaculture industry with new or improved practices to increase the efficiency of fish production in an environment of limiting water resources and tight pollution discharge requirements. In addition, improved waste management processes and guidelines were provided to industry and to the US Environmental Protection Agency that link production system management and design with improved waste management processes and practices. Also, integrated aquatic animal health management research resulted in technology transfer regarding the interrelationship between physical system design, the aquatic environment, and occurrence of disease in intensively cultured fish. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Popular and Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications: Anonymous. 2005. Water quality and recirculation systems to help Arctic charr reach its potential. April, 2005, Fish Farming International, p.10-13. Anonymous. 2005. Tomorrow’s Fisheries; Today’s Hungry. A Guide to Aquaculture-Food Bank Partnerships. The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute. November, 2004, 14 pgs. Bebak-Williams, J. 2004. Prevention and control of the parasitic gill copepod, Salmincola sp. PennAqua 2004, September 9-10, 2004, Harrisburg, PA. Brazil, B.L., Summerfelt, S.T., Sharrer, M.J. 2005. Review of ozone applications in aquaculture. In: Ozone IV: Applications of Ozone as an Antimicrobial Agent in the Food and Agriculture Industries, March 2-4, 2005, Fresno, California, International Ozone Association-Pan American Group, Quincy, MA. Davidson, J., Summerfelt, S.T., 2005. Simultaneous solids and ammonia removal within fluidized sand biofilter columns using dissolved chitosan as a flocculant. pp. 440 In: Aquaculture America 2005, January 17-20, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA. Davidson, J.T., Summerfelt, S.T. 2005. Settler evaluation: Radial flow vs. tangential flow. Global Aquaculture Advocate, 8(3), 56-57. Davidson, J., Masters, A., Vinci, B., Summerfelt, S. 2004. Testing dual tank drains for improved waste removal at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery. Hatchery International, 5(3), 22-23, 34. Ebeling, J.M., Timmons, M.B. 2004. Mixed-cell raceways offer best of two water worlds. Global Aquaculture Advocate, August, p. 66-67. Ebeling, J.M., Rishel, K.L., 2005. Evaluation of coagulation aids for the removal of suspended solids and phosphorus from recirculating aquaculture effluent discharge. Aquacultural Engineering Society News, 7(4):2-4. Ebeling, J.M., Rishel, K.L. 2005. Evaluation of coagulation aids. Aquaculture Magazine 31(2), p. 54-57. Ebeling, J. M., Welsh, C.F. 2005. Use of belt filters for thickening waste from conventional microscreen drum filters. Hatchery International, 6(3):11. Ebeling, J. M., Rishel, K. L. 2005. Performance evaluation of the Hydrotech belt filter using coagulation / flocculation aids (alum /polymers) for the removal of suspended solids and phosphorus from intensive recirculating aquaculture microscreen backwash effluent. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p.117. Ebeling, J. M., Rishel, K. L., Sibrell, P. L. 2005. Utilization of chemical coagulation-flocculation aids for the removal of total suspended solids and phosphorus from the discharge of microscreens in intensive recirculating aquaculture systems. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p. 120. Ebeling, J. M., Rishel, K. L. 2005. Screening of commercially available polymers as flocculation aids for the removal of suspended solids from microscreen backwash water in intensive recirculating aquaculture systems. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, , January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p.121. Ebeling, J.M., Rishel, K.L., Welsh, C.F., Timmons M.B. 2005. Impact of the carbon/nitrogen ratio on water quality in zero-exchange shrimp production systems. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p.119. Ebeling, J. M., Timmons, M. B., Welsh, C.F., Rishel, K. L. 2005. Experiences with a zero-exchange mixed-cell raceway for the production of marine shrimp in an inland site. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, January 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p.122. Schwartz, M.F., Ebeling, J.M., Rishel, K.L., Summerfelt, S.T. 2005. Dewatering aquaculture biosolids with geotextile bags. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, January 17-20, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p.118. Sharrer, M.J., Summerfelt, S.T. 2005. Ozone inactivation of bacteria in a recirculating salmonid culture system. In: Ozone IV: Applications of Ozone as an Antimicrobial Agent in the Food and Agriculture Industries, March 2-4, 2005, Fresno, California, International Ozone Association-Pan American Group, Quincy, MA. Summerfelt, S.T. 2005. Fluidized-Sand Biofilters. Aquaculture Magazine 31(4):56-59. Summerfelt, S.T. 2005. Design and management of conventional fluidized-sand biofilters. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, January 17-20, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA. Summerfelt, S.T. 2004. Recirculating aquaculture system design. PennAqua 2004, September 9-11, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA. Summerfelt, S.T. 2004. Design and management of conventional fluidized-sand biofilters. Design and Selection of Biological Filters for Freshwater and Marine Applications, November 8-10, 2004, Aquacultural Engineering Society and The Oceanic Institute, Waimanalo, HI. Summerfelt, S.T., Waldrop, T. 2004. Recirculating aquaculture system management. PennAqua 2004, September 9-11, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA. Summerfelt, S.T., Vinci, B.J. 2004. Avoiding water quality failures: Part 1 – carrying capacity and water flow in intensive aquaculture systems. World Aquaculture 35(4):6-8, 70. Summerfelt, S. T., Vinci, B.J. 2004. Avoiding water quality failures: Part 2 – recirculating systems. World Aquaculture 35(4):9-11, 71. Summerfelt, S.T., Davidson, J., Brazil, B. 2005. Dissolved organic carbon production in recirculating salmonid culture systems. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, January 17-20, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p.441. Summerfelt, S.T., Sharrer, M.J. 2005. Ozone inactivation of bacteria in a recirculating salmonid culture system. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, January 17-20, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p.442. Summerfelt, S. T., Sharrer, M.J., Hankins, J.A. 2005. Membrane biological reactor treatment of a recirculating system backwash flow for water reclamation. In: Aquaculture America 2005 Abstracts, January 17-20, New Orleans, LA. World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge, LA, p.443. Summerfelt, S. T., Davidson, J. T., Waldrop, T., Tsukuda, S., Bebak-Williams, J. 2005. Partial-reuse systems: Offer benefits for coldwater, seawater aquaculture. Global Aquaculture Advocate 8(1):68-69. The following are Non-ARS publications that had value to the project. Adler, P.R., Sikora, L.J. 2005. Mesophilic composting of Arctic char manure. Compost Science and Utilization 13:34-42. Davidson, J., Summerfelt, S.T. 2004. Solids flushing, mixing, and water velocity profiles within large (10 m3 and 150 m3) circular "Cornell-type" dual-drain tanks used for salmonid culture. Aquacultural Engineering 32:245-271. Davidson, J., Summerfelt, S.T. 2005. Solids removal from a coldwater recirculating system – comparison of a swirl separator and a radial-flow settler. Aquacultural Engineering 33:47-61. Ebeling, J.M., Rishel, K.L., Sibrell, P.L. 2005. Screening and evaluation of polymers as flocculation aids for the treatment of aquacultural effluents. Aquacultural Engineering 33:235-249. Jittinandana, S., Kenney, P.B., Mazik, P.M., Danley, M., Nelson, C.D., Kiser, R.A., Hankins, J.A. 2005. Transport and stunning affect quality of Arctic char fillets. Journal of Muscle Foods 16:274-288. Masters, A.L. 2004. Formalin treatment methods: A review. North American Journal of Aquaculture 66:325–333 Sharrer, M.J., Summerfelt, S.T., Bullock, G.L., Gleason, L.E., Taeuber, J. 2005. Inactivation of bacteria using ultraviolet irradiation in a recirculating salmonid culture system. Aquacultural Engineering 33:135-149. Summerfelt, S.T., Sharrer, M.J. 2004. Design implication of biofilter carbon dioxide production within recirculating salmonid culture systems. Aquacultural Engineering 32:171-182. Summerfelt, S.T., Davidson, J., Waldrop, T., Tsukuda, S., Bebak-Williams, J. 2004. A partial-reuse system for coldwater aquaculture. Aquacultural Engineering 31:157-181. Summerfelt, S.T., Sharrer, M.J., Hollis, J., Gleason, L.E., Summerfelt, S.R. 2004. Dissolved ozone destruction using ultraviolet irradiation in a recirculating salmonid culture system. Aquacultural Engineering 32:209-224. Vinci, B.J., Summerfelt, S.T., Creaser, D.A., Gillette, K. 2004. Design of partial water reuse systems at White River National Fish Hatchery for the production of Atlantic salmon smolt for restoration stocking. Aquacultural Engineering 32:225-244. Watten, B.J., Sibrell, P.L., Montgomery, G.A., Tsukuda, S.M. 2004. Modification of pure oxygen absorption equipment for concurrent stripping of carbon dioxide. Aquacultural Engineering 32:183-208.