Collected reprints: Abstract 2786
Collected reprints
Abstract
Tackaert, W.; Sorgeloos, P. (1993). The use of brine shrimp Artemia in biological management of solar saltworks. Seventh Symposium on Salt 1: 617-622
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the hydrobiological aspects of the solar salt production process. Saltworks are man-managed artificial ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to biological disturbances, including uncontrolled proliferation of microalgae resulting in a reduced evaporation and contamination of the salt with gypsum and insoluble organic materials.
Optimal production of solar salt, both in terms of quality and quantity, requires a well-established balance between the primary and secondary producers, with brine shrimp Artemia grazing on phytoplankton constituting the major interaction. In this paper, we discuss the beneficial role of Artemia in balancing the hydrobiological activity of the salt pond system and highlight some of the critical aspects essential to proper management of Artemia, including selection and controlled introduction of the most suitable strain of Artemia.
Furthermore, the possibilities for establishing a vertically integrated aquaculture industry brought about by the opportunities for harvesting of Artemia cysts and biomass as valuable by-products of the solar salt operation will be discussed. Results of experiences gained in different projects around the world will be presented.
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