Ha Thi Thu Bui
Curtin University, Australia
Title: Technical feasibility of cultivating Sargassum podacanthum and Sargassum linearifolium in inland saline water in Western Australia
Biography
Biography: Ha Thi Thu Bui
Abstract
Aquaculture using salt-affected land is considered as an additional resource for mariculture in Australia, India and USA. However, the deficiency of potassium in ISW is the major constraint in cultivating marine aquatic species. The aim of this research was to investigate the technical feasibility of cultivating Sargassum spp. in inland saline water (ISW) in Western Australia by conducting a three-phased research. The first phase was aimed to determine the suitable seaweed species which can survive in ISW. Sargassum linearifolium and S. podacanthum were selected out of seven trialled species. The second phase focused on investigating the optimum potassium concentration to grow Sargassum spp. in ISW by testing the different levels of potassium fortification in ISW (33%, 66% and 100% of potassium concentration equivalent to potassium concentration in ocean water) under both indoor and outdoor conditions. The results showed that 100% fortification of potassium by potassium chloride or sulphate of potash can sustain the growth of Sargassum spp. in ISW. The relationship between the fresh biomass of S. linearifolium and cultivation time was correlated (R2>0.7) in all potassium fortified ISW. The third phase attempted to improve the productivity of both Sargassum spp. by enriching nutrients to 100% potassium-fortified ISW. Only S. podacanthum showed the highest dry biomass at a nutrient mix of 160 mg l-1 of ammonium and 16 mg l-1 phosphate in potassium-fortified ISW. After 84 days of cultivation, the biomass of both species was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the nutrient levels. It is technically feasible to cultivate S. linearifolium and S. podacanthum in 100% potassium-fortified ISW.