Rice husk ash-derived biosilica as a biogeochemical regulator for ameliorating acid sulfate soils in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) nursery systems
摘要
Acid sulfate soils (ASS) pose severe physicochemical challenges for shrimp nursing due to water-column acidification and dissolved-metal toxicity. This study evaluates amorphous biosilica derived from rice husk ash (RHA) as a robust biogeochemical regulator and phytoplankton stimulant for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) post-larvae. Over a 21-day nursery period conducted in hapa replicates (n = 4) within adjacent pond plots, water quality and biological performance were compared between RHA-biosilica treatment and control groups. Soil analysis revealed that while pre-conditioning remediation reduced iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) levels, the pond bed retained a high latent potential acidity (SPOS 1.22%). However, RHA-biosilica successfully mitigated acid release into the water column (p < 0.05), maintaining robust pH stability (mean > 7.0) and sustained silicate concentrations > 4.0 mg/L, whereas the control units experienced wide pH fluctuations (5.5–8.0) and a significant decline in silica concentration to less than 2.0 mg/L. Stable silica availability promoted a resilient, diatom-dominant succession (Thalassiosira sp. and Navicula sp.) that successfully suppressed unfavorable phytoplankton groups and prevented hazardous “boom-and-bust” algal crashes. This ecological stabilization maintained total ammonia nitrogen at a safe baseline of 0.02 mg/L, significantly lower than the 1.23 mg/L observed in the control (p < 0.001), via a dual-action mechanism involving physicochemical adsorption and biological assimilation. While post-larval survival was high (> 93%) in both groups, the RHA-biosilica treatment significantly enhanced growth, achieving a final weight of 0.165 g (p = 0.011) and a 31% increase in biomass. These results indicate that RHA-biosilica is an effective regulator and circular-economy solution for transforming marginal ASS into resilient aquaculture landscapes.