An Investigation of Aquaponics Using Brackish Water Resources in the Negev Desert

Abstract

An aquaponics system using the brackish waters of the Negev (conductivity approximately 4500 μS/cm) is described. Tilapia sp. were grown with a variety of vegetables, herbs, and other plants within three systems within an aquaculture hothouse: a brackish water floating raft system, a brackish water gravel system, and a fresh water floating raft system. Water quality remained adequate within all systems for plant growth and fish health. Growth rates for fish were low, averaging about 1.4 g/day. Standing stock of fish at harvest was 12.5 kg/m³. Plants required the addition of iron chelate to contend with chlorosis and some macro- and micronutrients seem to have been in short supply.

Keywords:

• Hydroponics
• brackish water
• Negev Desert

Research and Enterprise Funding (SRF) was provided under a Greenwich Research and Enterprise grant to the University of Greenwich to cover the time, travel, subsistence, and other minor expenses for Dr. Benz Kotzen. The author thanks David Benzion and Alan Wass of the Bengis Center for Desert Aquaculture and Jacob Blaustein of the Institute for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University, for their assistance in setting up the aquaponics systems, monitoring, and data collection.