Abstract

DE LA TORRE, Ana et al. Impact from a cattle waste lagoon rupture on a downstream fish farm: a case study. Ecol. austral [online]. 2004, vol.14, n.2, pp.135-139. ISSN 1667-782X.

A retrospective diagnosis of a massive fish mortality in an aquaculture facility was performed following a cattle waste effluent spill to a river used as source for the fish farm. The level of suspended solids and non-ionised ammonia (NH₃) reaching the farm were estimated based on concentrations in the animal waste and the dilution factor in the river. The calculations indicate that both concentrations were higher in the fish farm after the leakage than the lethal concentrations reported in water quality criteria for freshwater fish. Therefore, these calculations tie the cattle waste leakage to the fish kills observed.

Keywords : Diagnose; Rainbow trout kill; Ammonia; Suspended solids; Non ionised ammonia; Animal waste.

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