Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anaerobic digestion of fish waste and seagrass/macroalgae: potential sustainable waste management for tropical Small Island Developing States

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study presents the preliminary investigation of the biogas production potential from fish wastes (FW) and seagrass (SG) mixed with macroalgae (MA). Substrates were prepared for total solids of 10–12% and were analysed in Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) assays. The inoculum used in all BMPs was acclimated sludge in a ratio of 1:3 for inoculum to substrate on a mass basis. There were effectively four vessel reactors (VRs) with different compositions: VR1 100% fish wastes, VR2 60% fish wastes and 40% seagrass/macroalgae, VR3 40% fish wastes and 60% seagrass/macroalgae, and VR4 100% seagrass/macroalgae. VR5 acted as control with 100% inoculum. The maximum cumulative biogas productions (CBPs) reached 8288 ml for VR1, 8410 ml for VR2, 4236 ml for VR3 and 2746 ml for VR4 with a concentration of methane gas of 61.1, 65.07, 68.07, and 53.28%, respectively. One-way ANOVA test results (p < 0.05) indicated that there was significant difference in the variations in VS, salinity, COD, soluble COD and cumulative biogas production amongst the test vessel reactors. This potential for biogas production represents a clean source of cheap fuel for sustainable development in Small Island Developing States having aquaculture and seafood industries along coastal regions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Daby D, Turner J, Jago C (2002) Microbial and nutrient pollution of coastal bathing waters in Mauritius. Environ Int 27:555–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Wilkinson C (2008) Status of coral reefs of the world. In: Global coral reef monitoring network and reef and rainforest research centre (ed). Townsville, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  3. Smith GM (1944) Marine Algae of the Monterey Peninsula, California (ed). Stanford University, Stanford

    Google Scholar 

  4. Leatherman SP (1997) Beach rating: a methodological approach. ‎J Coast Res 13:253–258

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ashley PJ (2006) Fish welfare: current issues in aquaculture. Appl Anim Behav Sci 104:1–37

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sakar S, Yetilmezsoy K, Kocak E (2009) Anaerobic digestion technology in poultry and livestock waste treatment—a literature review. Waste Manag Resh 27:13–18

    Google Scholar 

  7. FAO© (2005–2013) Fisheries and Aquaculture topics. Waste management of fish and fish products. Topics Fact Sheets. Text by Lahsen Ababouch. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department [online]. Rome. http://www.fao.org/fishery/topic/12326/en. Accessed 17 Apr 2016

  8. Garcia SM, Zerbi A, Aliaume C, Do CHIT., Lasserre G (2003) The ecosystem approach to fisheries. Issues, terminology, principles, institutional foundations, implementation and outlook. FAO Fish Tech Paper 443:1–71

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mohee R (1998) Composting potential of bagasse and boiler litter and process simulation using a dynamic model. Thesis (PhD). University of Mauritius

  10. Mudhoo A, Mohee R (2010) Sludge composting, sludge pretreatment and radiation technology: a review. Int J Environ Tech Manag 13:372–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Bogner J, Meadows M, Czepiel P (1997) Fluxes of methane between landfills and the atmosphere: natural and engineered controls. Soil Use Manage 13:268–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Bila DM, Montalvão AF, Silva AC, Dezotti M (2005) Ozonation of a landfill leachate: evaluation of toxicity removal and biodegradability improvement. J Hazard Mater 117:235–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Appels L, Baeyens J, Degrève J, Dewil R (2008) Principles and potential of the anaerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge. Prog Energy Combust Sci 34:755–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ismail ZK, Abderrezaq SK (2007) Employment of anaerobic digestion process of municipal solid waste for energy. Energy Sourc A, Recovery Util Environ Effects 29:657–668

    Google Scholar 

  15. Cantrell KB, Ducey T, Ro KS, Hunt PG (2008) Livestock waste to bioenergy generation opportunities. Bioresour Technol 99:7941–7953

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kim H, Shin H, Han S, Oh S (2007) Response surface optimization of substrate for thermophilic anaerobic codigestion of sewage sludge and food waste. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 57:309–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Parawira W, Murto M, Zvauya R, Mattiasson B (2004) Anaerobic batch digestion of solid potato waste alone and in combination with sugar beet leaves. Renew Energ 29:1811–1823

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Rubia MA, Perez M, Romero LI, Sales D (2006) Effect of solids retention time (SRT) on pilot scale anaerobic thermophilic sludge digestion. Process Biochem 41:79–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Davis TA, Volesky B, Vieira RHSF. (2000) Sargassum seaweed as biosorbent for heavy metals. Water Res 34:4270–4278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Chugh S, Chynoweth DP, Clarke W, Pullammanappallil P, Rudolph V (1999) Degradation of unsorted municipal solid waste by a leach-bed process. Bioresour Technol 69:103–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Buffiere P, Frederic S, Marty B, Delgenes JP (2008) A comprehensive method for organic matter characterization in solid wastes in view of assessing their anaerobic biodegradability context sensitive links. Wat Sci Tech 58:1783–1788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Leitao RC, Van Haandel AC, Zeeman G, Lettinga G (2006) The effects of operational and environmental variations on anaerobic wastewater treatment systems: A review. Bioresour Technol 97:1105–1118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Sanders WTM, Geerink M, Zeeman G, Lettinga G (2000) Anaerobic hydrolysis kinetics of particulate substrates. Wat Sci Tech 14:17–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kayhanian M (1999) Ammonia inhibition in high-solids biogasification: an overview and practical solutions. Environ Technol 20:355–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Cheong DY, Hansen CL (2007) Feasibility of hydrogen production in thermophilic mixed fermentation by natural anaerobes. Bioresour Technol 98:2229–2239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Coskuner G, Curtis TP (2002) In situ characterization of nitrifiers in an activated sludge plant: detection of Nitrobacter Spp. J Appl Microbiol 93:431–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Gallert C, Bauer S, Winter J (1998) Effect of ammonia on the anaerobic degradation of protein by a mesophilic and thermophilic biowaste population. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 50:495–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Veeken A, Kalyuzhnyi S, Scharff H, Hamelers B (2000) Effect of pH and VFA on hydrolysis of organic solid waste. J Environ Eng ASCE 126:1076–1081

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Vanlier JB, Tilche A, Ahring BK, Acarie H, Moletta R, Dohanyos M, Hulshoff POLLW., Lens P, Verstraete W (2001) New perspectives in anaerobic digestion. Wat Sci Tech 43:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Mccarty PL, Mckinney RE (1961) Salt toxicity in anaerobic digestion. J Water Pollut Control Fed 33:399–415

    Google Scholar 

  31. Soto M, Mende´z R, Lema JM (1992) Characterization and comparison of biomass from mesophilic and thermophilic fixed bed anaerobic digesters. Wat Sci Tech 25:203–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Soto M, Mende´z R, Lema JM (1991) Biodegradability and toxicity in the anaerobic treatment of fish canning wastewaters. Environ Technol 12:669–677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Meynell PJ (1982) Methane: planning a Digester, vol 19. Prism Press, Dorset, pp 23–25

    Google Scholar 

  34. Uzodinma EO, Ofoefule AU (2004) Biogas production from blends of cassava peels with some animal wastes. Int J Phys Sci 4:398–402

    Google Scholar 

  35. Chynoweth DP, Isaacson R (1987) Anaerobic digestion of biomass. Elsevier science publishing co. INC, New York

    Google Scholar 

  36. Angelidaki I, Alves M, Bolzonella D, Borzacconi L, Campos JL, Guwy AJ, Kalyuzhnyi S, Jenicek P, Van Lier JB (2009) Defining the biomethane potential (BMP) of solid organic wastes and energy crops: a proposed protocol for batch assays. Wat Sci Tech 59:927–934

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Mshandete A, Kivaisi A, Rubindamayugi M, Mattiasson B (2004) Anaerobic batch co-digestion of sisal pulp and fish wastes. Bioresourc Technol 95:19–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Park WJ, Ahn JH, Hwang S, Lee C (2010) Effect of output power, target temperature, and solid concentration on the solubilization of waste activated sludge using microwave irradiation. Bioresour Technol 101:13–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Mudhoo A, Moorateeah PR, Mohee R (2012) Effects of microwave heating on biogas production, chemical oxygen demand and volatile solids solubilization of food residues. World Acad Sci Eng Technol 69:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  40. Vieitez ER, Ghosh S (1999) Biogasification of solid waste by two-phase anaerobic fermentation. Biomass Bioenergy 16:299–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Kennedy KJ, Thibault G, Droste RL (2007) Microwave enhanced digestion of aerobic SBR sludge. ‎Water Sci Technol 33:261–270

    Google Scholar 

  42. Neves L, Ribeiro R, Oliveira R, Alves MM (2006) Enhancement of methane production from barley waste. Biomass Bioenergy 30:599–603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Habig C, DeBusk T, Ryther J (1984) The effect of nitrogen content on methane production by the marine algae Gracilaria tikvahiae and Ulva sp. Biomass 4(4):239–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Ahring B, Sandberg M, Angelidaki I (1995) Volatile fatty acids as indicators of process imbalance in anaerobic digestors. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 43(3):559–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Hansson G (1983) Methane production from marine, green macro-algae. Resourc Conserv 8(3):185–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Bird KT, Chynoweth DP, Jerger DE (1990) Effects of marine algal proximate composition on methane yields. J Appl Phycol 2(3):207–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. TYAGI PD (1989) Fuel from wastes and weeds. Batra Book Service, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author is thankful to his supervisor Mr Ackmez Mudhoo for his guidance and la Ferme Marine de Mahebourg Ltd for provision of fresh samples. This study was completed in partial fulfilment of the requirements of a postgraduate dissertation work at the University of Mauritius. Laboratory facilities were gratefully provided by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Mauritius and the author is equally thankful to the University of Mauritius for all other resources provided in the undertaking of this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Reduit, 80837, Mauritius

    Nadeem Nazurally

Authors
  1. Nadeem Nazurally
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nadeem Nazurally.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nazurally, N. Anaerobic digestion of fish waste and seagrass/macroalgae: potential sustainable waste management for tropical Small Island Developing States. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 20, 1724–1735 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-018-0738-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-018-0738-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation