Stream Salinization by Inland Brackish-Water Aquaculture

Abstract Commercial aquaculture is performed in several regions of Alabama, with much of the production being concentrated in the Blackland Prairie region. Portions of this region have access to aquifers containing brackish water with salinities ranging from 1 to 10 g/L that are currently supplying water to several pond-based aquaculture facilities. The use of low-salinity water has been beneficial for the production of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, and such water has been found suitable for the culture of marine species such as the Pacific white shrimp Litopeneaus vannamei. Though the use of this resource has been recognized as beneficial, the potential for it to salinize local surface waters is unknown. An element of concern associated with the salinization of streams is the chloride ion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established an instream standard chloride concentration of 230 mg/L for freshwater, which has been adopted by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Inve...

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