Impact of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Bioturbation on Water and Soil Quality | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Article 143, Volume 29, Issue 4, July and August 2025, Pages 4643-4656 PDF (711.19 K) | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.446364 | ||
| Author | ||
| Aguillo et al. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Bioturbation refers to the disturbance and mixing of sediments and the overlying water column, resulting from the burrowing, feeding, and movement activities of benthic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of bioturbation by African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) on selected water and soil quality parameters under controlled conditions over an 11-day period. Three treatments were established. Treatments II and III involved soil amended with approximately 500mg/ kg of ammonium nitrogen, while Treatment I included no soil. In addition, C. gariepinus was introduced as a bioturbator in Treatment III. The results indicated no significant differences in temperature, dissolved oxygen, or total dissolved solids between morning and afternoon measurements across all treatments. However, pH levels showed significant differences in the morning between Treatment I and treatments II and III, though these differences were not observed in the afternoon. Total ammonia-nitrogen levels also differed significantly in the morning between Treatment I and the other treatments, with no significant variation in the afternoon. Nitrite concentrations were significantly higher in Treatment III compared to treatments I and II, both in the morning and afternoon. Phosphorus levels showed no significant differences in the morning but were significantly elevated in the afternoon in Treatment III relative to the other treatments. In terms of soil quality, ammonia-nitrogen levels in treatments II and III declined over time, from 500.00 ± 0.00 to 83.33 ± 0.00 mg/L. Soil pH values decreased slightly, ranging from 9.00 ± 0.00 to 8.33, while phosphorus concentrations remained stable at 120.00 ± 0.00 mg/L throughout the study. These findings suggest that C. gariepinus acts as an effective bioturbator, enhancing sediment–water interactions. However, its influence on key water quality parameters underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and implementation of appropriate management practices in aquaculture or integrated systems. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| African catfish; Bioturbation; Water quality; Soil quality | ||
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