Aquaponics (AP), the combination of hydroponics and recirculating

aquaculture (Rakocyet al., 2003) is a promising solution for the negative

environmental impacts typically associated with intensive fish and crop
production. In these integrated systems,nutrients that are excreted by the
fish or generated by microbial activity (Munguia-Fragozo et al., 2015; Zou
et al., 2016) are absorbed by hydroponically cultured plants, thus treating
the water before it is recycled to the fish tank (Endutet al., 2009;Tysonet al.,
2011; Nichols and Savidov, 2012; Medina et al.,2016; Nuwansi et al.,
2016).

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms in controlled or semi-

controlled environments. Several activities are developed within
aquaculture, including: fish production, shellfish farming, and the
cultivation of aquatic plants. Representing a source of food and income for
the population. The aquaculture product is an alternative livelihood for
human beings, guaranteeing a quality diet. Aquaculture is an ancient
practice whose origins date back to Egypt and China, where the fish farmed
were species such as tilapia and carp. In Africa, aquaculture is gaining
momentum through political initiatives such as the establishment of
aquaculture development agencies in several African countries and the role
aquaculture can play in food security, income generation and poverty
alleviation.

According to the FAO (2018), aquaculture has surpassed fisheries

production and is currently responsible for half of the world’s fish trade, but
the activity has its challenges. According to the book Climate Impacts on
Fisheries and Aquaculture (FAO, 2018), the climate changes that are
currently occurring are causing physical changes, for example, in water
temperature and pH, which will have a negative impact on aquaculture.

As studied by M. Aba (2020) Aquaponics is a method that takes advantage

of the association between aquatic animals and plants by creating an
efficient and unconventional crop production system in result to the
production of vegetable and fish.

In another study written by McGuire & Popken (2015) they mentioned that
Aquaponics eliminates soil from the equation of food production by
combining aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants in
water saturated media). Aquaponics may provide a source of relief for areas
without suitable soil or dense human populations. This was done through a
comparative analysis between two control beds and two augment beds. Each
augment bed was fixed with a greenhouse glazing which encompassed the
entire grow bed. 

While, Wiley & Sons (2012) mentioned in their study the use of planted
biofilters in integrated recirculating aquaculture-hydroponics
systems. Findings had explained that aquaponics has the potential to
significantly reduce the need of freshwater and at the same time provide the
farmers with an income for plant production

Aquaponics is a food production system which combines fish farming

(aquaculture) with soilless crop farming (hydroponics). In this thesis the
concept of aquaponics and the underlying processes are explained. Research
on aquaculture waste water and human urine waste water was reviewd and
its potential ppliction with aquaponic systems was studied.

Mollinari, Pinho et al., (2017) Aquaponics production is emerging as an

alternative for effluent treatment and aquaculture diversifica-tion. Also,
aquaponics contributes to save water a n d f or the maximum utilization of 
nutrients and culture areas. The objective of  this research was to evaluate
the effluent derived from biofloc-technology (BFT) tilapia culture on the
aquaponics production of  three varieties of  lettuce (Lactuca sativa); red
lettuce, butterlettuce, and crispy lettuce,using the clear-water recirculation
system as a control.

Furthermore, Aquaculture is defin e d as the farming o f   f i sh,

shellfis h , a n d aquatic plants. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important
greenhouse gas (GHG) which has a global warming potential 310 times that
of carbondioxide (CO2) over a hundred year lifespan. N2O is generated
during microbial nitrication and denitrication, which are common in
aquaculture systems. To date, few studies have been conducted to quantify
N2O emission from aquaculture. Additionally, very little is known with
respect to the microbial pathways through which N2O is formed in
aquaculture systems. This review suggests that aquaculture can be an
important anthropogenic source of N2O emission. The global N2O−N
emission from aquaculture in 2009 is estimated to be9.30×1010g, and will
increase to 3.83×1011g which could account for 5.72% of anthropogenic
N2O−N emission by 2030 if the aquaculture industry continues to increase
at the present annual growth rate (about 7.10%). The possible mechanisms
and various factors affecting N2O production are summarized, and two
possible methods to minimize N2O emission, namely aquaponic and biofloc
technology aquaculture, are also discussed. (Chandran, Hu et al.,2012)

Moreover, Monroe et al., (2016) figured out other alternative agricultural

practices such as aquaponics. Hydroponics and aquaponics are soilless
agricultural systems that are highly productive, suitable for urban areas, and
can help in the shortage of land in relation to growing demand for food
production. Hydroponics is the culture of plant crops in soilless water-
based systems, where nutrients come only from formulated
fertilizers.The growth yield, quality and nutrition of basil (Ocimum
Basilicum) cultivar aroma 2, were compared between aquaponic and
hydroponic systems using cray fish as the aquatic species. They therefore
concluded that aquaponic systems can produce basil crop with limited
water and without soil, which has the potential to address the issues
of land and water scarcity.

Wiley & Sons (2012) Use of planted biofilters in integrated recirculating

aquaculture-hydroponics systems in the Mekong Delta, Vietna
Retrieved at:
https://www.academia.edu/22755969/Use_of_planted_biofilters
_in_integrated_recirculating_aquaculture_hydroponics_systems
_in_the_Mekong_Delta_Vietnam
Amaral Et al., Aquaponics and its potential aquaculture wastewater
treatment and human urine treatment Retrieved at:
https://www.academia.edu/11222964/Aquaponics_and_its_pote
ntial_aquaculture_wastewater_treatment_and_human_urine_tre
atment

Maucieri Et al., Hydroponic systems and water management in aquaponics: A

review retrieved at:
https://www.academia.edu/37724281/Hydroponic_systems_and_
water_management_in_aquaponics_A_review

Mustapha aquaponics an integrated system of hydroponics and aquaculture

an alternative for food production in africa retrieved at:
https://www.academia.edu/42678362/aquaponics_an_integra
ted_system_of_hydroponics_and_aquaculture_an_alternative
_for_food_production_in_africa

Pinho et al., Effluent from a biofloctechnology (BFT) tilapia culture on the

aquaponics production of different lettuce varieties retrieved at;
https://www.academia.edu/42889982/Effluent_from_a_biofloc_tech
nology_BFT_tilapia_culture_on_the_aquaponics_production_of_dif
ferent_lettuce_varieties

Chandran, Hu et al., Nitrous Oxide (N 2 O) Emission from Aquaculture

Retrieved from:
 https://www.academia.edu/16964057/Nitrous_Oxide_N_2_O_
Emission_from_Aquaculture_A_Review

Monroe et al., on Growth, yield, plant quality and nutrition of basil

(Ocimum basilicum L.)under soilless agricultural
systems retrieved at:
https://www.academia.edu/33057051/Growth_yield_pl
ant_quality_and_nutrition_of_basil_Ocimum_basilicu
m_L_under_soilless_agricultural_systems