Aquaponics as an Educational Eco-design Tool at the University of Vermont
Conference Year
2023
Abstract
A growing population and increased need for nutritious foods in conjunction with a finite amount of space and limited resources has created an opportunity for innovation in our food system. Aquaponics is one method being explored to couple production of protein-rich fish with the growing of vegetables using relatively small space and water. These systems require understanding of numerous concepts related to ecological design and engineering, including nutrient cycling, water chemistry, biological wastewater treatment, plant fertility, fish rearing, and food systems. An Arduino-based system was also created to monitor dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and temperature of the water in the system on an hourly basis to ensure optimal conditions.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Eric Roy
Graduate Student Mentors
Theodore Willis
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources
Program/Major
Environmental Sciences
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Aquaponics as an Educational Eco-design Tool at the University of Vermont
A growing population and increased need for nutritious foods in conjunction with a finite amount of space and limited resources has created an opportunity for innovation in our food system. Aquaponics is one method being explored to couple production of protein-rich fish with the growing of vegetables using relatively small space and water. These systems require understanding of numerous concepts related to ecological design and engineering, including nutrient cycling, water chemistry, biological wastewater treatment, plant fertility, fish rearing, and food systems. An Arduino-based system was also created to monitor dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and temperature of the water in the system on an hourly basis to ensure optimal conditions.