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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 23261

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Dr. Zoran Marinović

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Guest Editor

Department of Aquaculture, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Science, Godollo, Hungary
Interests: fish reproduction; reproductive biotechnology in aquaculture; effects of water-borne toxins on aquatic organisms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Ana Gavrilović

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: aquaculture technologies and system design; influence of water quality on aquatic animal growth and product quality; health management in aquaculture; inclusion of aquaculture into circular economy

Prof. Dr. Orhan Tufan Eroldoǧan

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Guest Editor

Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Çukurova University, Adana, Türkiye
Interests: fish nutrition and food quality; lipids; fatty acid and omega-3 metabolism; fish oil replacement and fatty acid metabolism in cultured aquatic species; fatty acid-micronutrients interactions; seafood quality

Dr. Miloš Pelić

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Guest Editor

Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: the quality and safety of food of animal origin; fish health protection; fishery; sustainable aquaculture development; integrated aquaculture system

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The journal ‘Water’ is pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue focused on water quality in aquaculture production.

The main prerequisite for successful aquaculture production is maintaining the optimal quality of the breeding environment, i.e., the water in which aquaculture production is carried out. The basic parameters of water quality in aquaculture are temperature, amount of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide, pH value, alkalinity, amount of dissolved ammonia and nitrate, and microbiological properties. Maintaining these parameters at an optimal level, which differs depending on the cultivated species, requires specific methods in different cultivation systems. In warm-water pond systems, which are mostly stationary systems with limited water exchange, maintenance of water quality at a satisfactory level mainly depends on the balance between introduced food and microbiological activity in the activated sludge at the bottom of the pond and planktonic activity in the water column. In flow-through systems, water exchange, that is, the amount of new water with satisfactory characteristics introduced into the system, will be the basis for maintaining the optimal quality of the growing environment that is necessary for the successful growth of the cultivated species. In cage systems, the correct selection of the location, in addition to water with optimal properties for growing the desired species, must ensure a sufficient current of water to maintain the required level of all the relevant physico-chemical parameters. Closed recirculation systems maintain the quality of the water, i.e., the breeding environment, by the correct selection of components to control individual factors of the quality of the breeding environment.

The primary aim of this Special Issue is to collect and publish papers that are focused on the effects of water quality on aquaculture production and/or on the maintanance of water quality parameters at an optimal level in different aquaculture systems. We are open to contributions from a wide range of fields, from the impact of water quality on the production itself, to the optimization of cultivation technologies, water quality and safety in integrated aquaculture systems and the mitigation and reuse of wastewater in aquaculture production. We will be accepting contributions in the form of short communications, research papers and reviews.

Dr. Zoran Marinović
Dr. Ana Gavrilović
Prof. Dr. Orhan Tufan Eroldoǧan
Dr. Miloš Pelić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

aquaculture technology
microbiology
aquaculture safety
wastewater treatment
integrated aquaculture

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2817 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Treatment Effect of Long-Term Subsurface-Flow Constructed Wetland on Mariculture Water and Analysis of Wetland Bacterial Community

by Chen Chen, Guijun Yang, Xuechu Chen, Pengquan Li, Jingfei Chen, Maocang Yan and Chong Guo

Water 2024, 16(7), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16071054 - 06 Apr 2024

Viewed by 458

Abstract

To improve the quality of natural seawater to meet the needs of aquaculture production, a large-scale subsurface-flow constructed wetland (HSFCW) was constructed and operated stably for 2 years to understand the reasons for its purification effect on natural seawater. The results of the study showed that the system could maintain a high purification effect on natural seawater during aquaculture; the average removal rates of COD, TSS, TN, NH₄⁺-N, and DON (organic nitrogen) were 22.29%, 49.33%, 36.94%, 10.88%, and 44.08%, respectively. Additionally, the HSFCW could effectively remove harmful algae such as Cyanobacteria; the removal rate of dominant algae species in Cyanobacteria was 90.33–97.93%. The pyrosequencing of 16S ribosomal DNA revealed that Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae, and Chloroflexi were the main and key bacterial phyla in the system. Members of these key gates are regarded as playing important roles in resisting water purification. The study results suggest that the subsurface-flow wetland system can effectively improve seawater quality and reduce the density of harmful algae cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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16 pages, 1781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Composition, Dynamic Changes, and Carbon Sequestration Effects of Organic Carbon in the Water of a Penaeus vannamei Culture Pond

by Chenxiao Huang, Teng Jiang, Hongwei Shan and Fang Wang

Water 2024, 16(5), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050721 - 28 Feb 2024

Viewed by 803

Abstract

To investigate the composition, dynamic changes, and carbon sequestration effects of organic carbon in the water of Penaeus vannamei aquaculture ponds, changes in organic carbon were assessed in the water of the P. vannamei pond monoculture and integrated P. vannamei–Mercenaria mercenaria pond aquaculture systems during an aquaculture period. RDOC (refractory dissolved organic carbon) was determined using the DOC (dissolved organic carbon) degradation method, and the organic carbon composition in the water and its relationship with environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) The aquaculture activities significantly increased the DOC, POC (particulate organic carbon), and RDOC contents in the water and decreased the proportions of RDOC in the water. The DOC, POC, RDOC contents, and RDOC proportions in the monoculture systems were higher than those of the integrated aquaculture systems. (2) DOC, POC, RDOC contents, and RDOC proportions in the water were significantly positively correlated with chlorophyll-a contents in both aquaculture systems and significantly negatively correlated with water temperature and salinity. (3) Based on the average content and proportion of RDOC in the water of the two aquaculture systems, it was calculated that approximately an average of 108.64 kg of RDOC was present per hectare of P. vannamei aquaculture water during the aquaculture period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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21 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health Risks Associated with the Concentration of Heavy Metals in Sediment, Water, and Carp Reared in Treated Wastewater from a Slaughterhouse

by Miloš Pelić, Željko Mihaljev, Milica Živkov Baloš, Nenad Popov, Ana Gavrilović, Jurica Jug-Dujaković and Dragana Ljubojević Pelić

Water 2024, 16(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16010094 - 26 Dec 2023

Viewed by 983

Abstract

The use of purified slaughterhouse wastewater in carp ponds, and the use of wastewater from the pond for the irrigation of agricultural fields, was the basis for the construction of an integrated system of agricultural production as a sustainable solution for the food and fish production industries. The negative side of such integrated production systems is the concern related to the safety of fish meat produced in such a system. The aim of this research was to determine the concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in the wastewater from the slaughterhouse, in the pond water and sediment, in the carp tissue and in the water leaving the pond, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated system and the safety of the produced fish. Sampling was carried out in spring and autumn. The mean concentrations in all water samples (µg/L) were: As (12–125), Cd (0.12–4.2), Hg (1.14–14.21), Pb (<0.1–17.2), Cu (<0.1–44.6), Fe (17.02–425.2) and Zn (2.91–186.2), with the highest numbers in the wastewater, where it was above the prescribed limit values for the wastewater discharged from the slaughterhouses into natural recipients in both samplings. The efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant for heavy metals and metalloids was very high, in the range of 87% to 98%. The water from the pond corresponded to class 3 in terms of the concentration of heavy metals and metalloids both in spring and autumn, and can be used freely for breeding cyprinid fish species. The water from the irrigation canal corresponded to class 2/3 and can be used for irrigation. The mean concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids in the sediments (mg/kg) were: As (3.00–4.88), Cd (0.16–0.96), Hg (0.21–1.47), Pb (0.77–2.29), Cu (49.60–60.90), Fe (3.94–5.32) and Zn (92.8–115.20). The content of heavy metals in different organs of carp differed significantly depending on the season. The trend of heavy metal accumulation in common carp muscles in spring was: Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > Hg > Cd > As, and in autumn: Zn > Fe > Cu > Pb > As > Cd > Hg. Metal concentrations in the examined fish samples were far below the WHO guidelines. It can be concluded that carp produced in a pond supplied with purified wastewater from the slaughterhouse industry, in terms of the concentration of residues of the tested heavy metals and metalloids, is safe for human consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

13 pages, 655 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Effects of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Seed Essential Oil as a Diet Supplement on the Biochemical Parameters and Reproductive Function in Female Common Carps (Cyprinus carpio)

by Hamidreza Ahmadniaye Motlagh, Yoshifumi Horie, Hediye Rashid, Mahdi Banaee, Cristiana Roberta Multisanti and Caterina Faggio

Water 2023, 15(16), 2978; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15162978 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3331

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil on the health of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A total of 120 healthy fish were provided with feed containing 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of F. vulgare oil for 60 days. Findings revealed that the oral administration of 200 mg/kg of F. vulgare oil significantly increased final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Plasma biochemical enzyme levels remained unchanged in 200 and 400 mg/kg treatments, whereas they were found to be significantly increased in treatments with 600 mg/kg. Although no significant alterations in glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels were observed, the treated groups exhibited significant increases in total protein, albumin, globulin, and creatinine levels. Results also indicated significantly decreasing levels of glutathione peroxidase, whereas superoxide dismutase activity increased. The gonadosomatic index showed notable improvement in the 200 and 400 mg/kg groups. Furthermore, plasma concentrations of estradiol and testosterone were significantly affected by doses of 400 and 200 mg/kg. Findings suggest that, following the administration of F. vulgare extract, the reproductive and general health of the fish appears to be improved. Nevertheless, it is recommended to supplement fish diets with up to 200 mg/kg of F. vulgare extract to improve their reproductive and general health. Concentrations above this limit can potentially cause harm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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17 pages, 3260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Multispecies Probiotics on Growth, Hematology, and Gut Health of Stinging Catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) in Biofloc System

by Abdul Mazid Sohel, Md Shahjahan, Md Kabir Hossain, Kanij Rukshana Sumi, Md Sazzad Hossain, Zulhisyam Abdul Kari, Albaris B. Tahiluddin and Guillermo Téllez-Isaías

Water 2023, 15(14), 2519; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15142519 - 09 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2325

Abstract

Probiotics are gaining popularity both empirically and scientifically as eco-friendly alternatives in aquaculture. The present research proposed to examine the influences of selective probiotics on the growth, hematology, microbes, and morphology of the intestine of stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) in a biofloc system. Additionally, this study evaluated the benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of specific probiotics used in the biofloc system. Stinging catfish fingerlings (average weight 0.86 ± 0.26 g) were equally distributed (250 fingerlings/400 L water-filled PVC tank) into three treatment groups and reared for 16 weeks. Two commercial probiotics (CP-1 and CP-2) and one laboratory-developed probiotic were used in the study. The results showed significantly higher growth (weight gain and specific growth rate), feed efficiency, improved intestinal microbiota, and enhanced morphology in fish reared with laboratory-developed probiotics in the biofloc system. Moreover, indicators of increased immune responses, such as enhancements in the intestinal mucosal fold, width of enterocytes and lamina propria, and abundance of goblet cells, were also observed in fish reared with laboratory-developed probiotics. The BCR, which determined business profitability, was also highest for the laboratory-developed probiotics in the biofloc system. Therefore, the results suggest that laboratory-developed probiotics are economically viable and environmentally friendly growth stimulators for stinging catfish culture in a biofloc system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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22 pages, 4353 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Functional Ceramsite in a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor and Its Ammonium Nitrogen Adsorption Mechanism

by Liangkai Wang, Ningyuan Zhu, Hiba Shaghaleh, Xinyu Mao, Xiaohou Shao, Qilin Wang and Yousef Alhaj Hamoud

Water 2023, 15(7), 1362; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15071362 - 01 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1816

Abstract

For aquaculture wastewater with low ammonium nitrogen concentration, combining the carrier adsorption and biological nitrogen removal processes can maximize their respective advantages. Functional ceramsite that has excellent ammonium nitrogen adsorption performance and excellent biocompatibility was the key to the moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) adsorption—shortcut simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (shortcut SND) process. Our group prepared a high-strength lightweight ceramsite that met those requirements. In this study, we applied functional ceramsite in MBBR to cope with low-concentration ammonium aquaculture wastewater. The findings show that utilizing functional ceramsite as a filler was conducive to the adhesion of microorganisms. The biofilm has a minimal effect on the adsorption capacity of ceramsite due to the existence of pores on its surface. Our study further examined the

{NH}_{4}^{+}

-N adsorption mechanism of bio-ceramsite. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm model and the quasi-second-order kinetic model had better fitting effects on the

{NH}_{4}^{+}

-N adsorption process. The adsorption of bio-ceramsite to

{NH}_{4}^{+}

-N was an endothermic process that included physical and chemical adsorption. Furthermore, the results of adsorption thermodynamics suggested that bio-ceramsite has an affinity for the adsorption of

{NH}_{4}^{+}

-N. Consequently, this functional ceramsite can be a promising option for MBBR to improve nitrogen removal from aquaculture wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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23 pages, 4257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nitrogen Removal for Low Concentration Ammonium Wastewater by Adsorption, Shortcut Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification Process in MBBR

by Liangkai Wang, Xinyu Mao, Yousef Alhaj Hamoud, Ningyuan Zhu, Xiaohou Shao, Qilin Wang and Hiba Shaghaleh

Water 2023, 15(7), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15071334 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2495

Abstract

Excessive discharge of ammonia nitrogen wastewater from intensive aquaculture has worsened in recent years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an effective and energy-saving denitrification technology. This study intends to adopt a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) to remove ammonia nitrogen through the combination of adsorption and shortcut simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND). The research focuses on the operational parameters and regeneration mechanism of the MBBR adsorption-shortcut SND process. The optimal operating parameters in the adsorption stage were a hydraulic retention time of 8 h and an agitation rate of 120 r/min. For the shortcut SND stage, the ideal optimal parameters were two times alkalinity and dissolved oxygen (DO) 1.0 mg/L. Under optimal operating parameters conditions, the SND rate, TN removal rate,

{NH}_{4}^{+}

-N removal rate and nitrite accumulation rate were 89.1%, 84.0%, 94.3%, and 86.4%, respectively. The synergetic actions of ion exchange and microorganisms were the main driving force for regenerating ceramsite zeolite components. The synergistic inhibitory effect of high-concentration free ammonia and low-level DO on nitrite-oxidizing bacteria was the key to achieving stable and efficient

{NO}_{2}^{-}

-N accumulation.

{NO}_{2}^{-}

-N produced in shortcut nitrification entered the ceramsite through complex mass transfer, and denitrifying bacteria can reduce these

{NO}_{2}^{-}

-N to N₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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12 pages, 2381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Production Biofloc by Inoculating Chlorella pyrenoidosa in a Separate Way

by Yang Chen, Zhichao Fu, Zhenyi Shen, Rongfei Zhang, Jianhua Zhao, Yixiang Zhang and Qiyou Xu

Water 2023, 15(3), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030536 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1810

Abstract

Microalgae play an important role in the formation of biofloc. To demonstrate the feasibility of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in biofloc formation, an experiment was performed with a simple random design consisting of five inoculation levels (in triplicate) of C. pyrenoidosa (0, 1 × 10⁸, 1 × 10⁹, 5 × 10⁹, and 1 × 10¹⁰ cells·L⁻¹) in the biofloc system. All treatments kept a C:N ratio of approximately 15:1. This study observed the effects of different initial concentrations of C. pyrenoidosa on biofloc formation, water quality and bacterial community in biofloc systems. The results indicated that C. pyrenoidosa had the ability to enhance biofloc development, especially when the C. pyrenoidosa initial concentration reached 5~10 × 10⁹ cells·L⁻¹. Too high or too low a concentration of C. pyrenoidosa will adversely affect the formation of biofloc. The effect of C. pyrenoidosa addition on water quality (TAN, NO₂⁻-N, and NO₃⁻-N) was not significant in the final stage. The inoculation of C. pyrenoidosa decreased the species richness and diversity of the bacterial community but increased the domination of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota in the biofloc system, especially the order of Rhizobiales. The addition of C. pyrenoidosa could maintain water quality by increasing the proportion of several denitrifying bacteria, including Flavobacterium, Chryseobacterium, Pseudomonas, Brevundimonas, Xanthobacter, etc. These above dominant denitrifying bacteria in the biofloc system could play a major role in reducing the concentration of NO₂⁻-N and NO₃⁻-N. So, we recommended the reasonable concentration is 5~10 × 10⁹ cells·L⁻¹ if C. pyrenoidosa is used to rapidly produce biofloc. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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22 pages, 1555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Fish Farmers Regarding Water Quality and Its Management in the Rwenzori Region of Uganda

by Athanasius Ssekyanzi, Nancy Nevejan, Ronald Kabbiri, Joshua Wesana and Gilbert Van Stappen

Water 2023, 15(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15010042 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3357

Abstract

As the number of inhabitants in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) increases, demand for animal-source proteins outstrips the current supply. Aquaculture is promoted to sustain livelihood and for improved food security. However, the production in SSA is still low at less than 1% of the total global production. Poor water quality is cited to be one of the factors limiting the growth of the aquaculture sector and is attributed to limited familiarity with standard aquaculture practices. Thus, a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) survey was carried out among fish farmers in five districts of the Rwenzori region. Our results showed that 81% and 80% of them had poor knowledge and practices concerning water quality in aquaculture, respectively. Seventy percent did not know that fish farming caused pollution, while 68% believed that there was no need to treat fish farm effluents. Only 45% showed good attitudes towards water quality management. Fish farmers that fed fish with only complete pellets and those that combined them with locally available products (LAP) were 8 and 5 times more likely to possess more knowledge (p < 0.01) on water quality as compared to others that used only LAP. Slight improvements in attitudes and practices for every unit increment in knowledge were observed (p < 0.05). This limited familiarity with water quality management could severely impede the growth of aquaculture, as well as the sustainable utilization of available water resources. Therefore, there is a need for more training and improvement of extension services among fish farming communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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Review

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13 pages, 311 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of the Emerging Risks of Acute Ammonia Nitrogen Toxicity to Aquatic Decapod Crustaceans

by Wang Lin, Huimin Luo, Jingyi Wu, Tien-Chieh Hung, Beibei Cao, Xiangli Liu, Jifeng Yang and Pinhong Yang

Water 2023, 15(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15010027 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3539

Abstract

Waterborne ammonia is becoming one of the most notorious pollutants in aquatic habitats and has been shown to induce a range of ecotoxicological effects on aquatic animals. High ammonia concentrations occur mainly in intensive aquaculture systems, and effective wastewater treatment and agricultural systems are necessary to treat excessive nitrogenous compounds. Ammonia can enter aquatic decapod crustaceans through their gills, thereby reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood cells and damaging the structures of organs such as the gills and hepatopancreas. This ultimately results in oxidative stress, immunotoxicity, and high mortality. Crustaceans have the ability to exert detoxification functions against ammonia stress by regulating the permeation of ammonia and related nitrogenous compounds through membranes. To the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive review of the acute toxicity of ammonia to crustaceans is lacking. The present review focuses on the literature on the problems and mechanisms concerning ammonia-induced acute toxicity and aims to synthesize the knowledge of the relationship between ammonia stress and defense responses in crustaceans (mainly shrimp and crabs). This review also emphasizes the uptake, elimination, and detoxification of ammonia in crustaceans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Quality in Aquaculture Production)

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