Aquaponics as an Educational Eco-design Tool at the University of Vermont

Presenter's Name(s)

Hailey Sanphy

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

Abstract only.

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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.