Aquametrics : in-situ and operational monitoring for sustainable aquaculture

Abstract

This study monitored key water parameters, including dissolved oxygen and temperature, to gain valuable insights into ocean dynamics and implement effective methods for promoting sustainable aquaculture development. The research hypothesis suggested an inverse relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen. This research aimed to enhance the understanding of the aquatic environment in and around an aquaculture site, managed by Fish and Fish Ltd., located to the east of Marsaxlokk. The goal was to monitor key water quality parameters, such as dissolved oxygen and temperature, across multiple depths. This data supports the implementation of sustainable aquaculture practices. To achieve this, temperature and dissolved oxygen loggers were placed at various depths and set to collect hourly data to investigate diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in the values of the key parameters. A second site, in the vicinity of the first sampling point, was also used as a reference point, with measurements collected there for comparative analysis. The findings confirm the hypothesized inverse relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen, which is strongly influenced on a large scale by seasonal changes and on a small scale by day-night cycles. Solar radiation absorbed by the water leads to temperature increases and corresponding decreases in dissolved oxygen concentration. These insights create opportunities for predictive modeling of temperature and dissolved oxygen, which could further support sustainable practices and modernization efforts in the aquaculture industry.