Progress 01/01/21 to 12/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers: Local and business farmers, and household gardeners working on aquaculture/aquaponic systems/horticulture, and middle/high school students were the target audience. Researchers and Developers: We published one research and two review papers entitled in high-impact refereed journal, which reached much broader audience. One graduate student completed MS studies and is now continuing Ph.D. studies. PI and one graduate student gave oral presentation at the 18th International Symposium of Fine Bubble Technology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan (December 21, 2022). Our team has developed 3-min youtube video as an education resource for much broader audience. The link can be found at This is available to general public via PI's website and college's LCD monitor. Changes/Problems:Due to COVID 19, The research laboratory of Prof. Kartik Chandran was closed for extended period of time. We then collaborated with Bongkeun (BK) Song Ph.D. Professor ofMarine Science, Chair of Ecosystem Health Section, Virginia Institute of Marine Science William & Mary to complete the microbial community analysis part of the project (Objective 4) What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two MS students received training on the project. One of the MS students graduated and is continuing PhD studies. The aquaponics facility has been a major showcase in the college for visitors, faculty, staff, and students. Two undergraduate students were mentored on this project, specifically on the operation and maintenance of the aquaponic systems. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research article, "Micronanobubble Aeration Enhances Plant Yield and Nitrification in Aquaponic Systems by Marcelino, K. R.; Wongkiew, S.; Shitanaka, T.; Surendra, K. C.; Song, B.; Khanal, S. K., 2023. ACS EST Engineering" has been published. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.3c00344. Review article, "Marcelino, K. R.; Ling, L.; Wongkiew, S.; Nhan, H. T.; Surendra, K. C.; Shitanaka, T.; Lu, H.; Khanal, S. K., 2022. Nanobubble Technology Applications in Environmental and Agricultural Systems: Opportunities and Challenges. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology" has been published. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2022.2136931 Review article, "Zhou, S., Marcelino, K. R., Wongkiew, S., Sun, L., Guo, W., Khanal, S. K., & Lu, H., 2022. Untapped Potential: Applying Microbubble and Nanobubble Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment and Ecological Restoration. ACS ES&T Engineering" has been published. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.2c00117 Review article, "Wongkiew, S., Hu, Z., Lee, J.W., Chandran, K., Nhan, H.T., Marcelino, K.R., Khanal, SK, 2021. Nitrogen Recovery via Aquaponics-Bioponics: Engineering Considerations and Perspectives. ACS ES&T Engineering" has been published. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.0c00196 Research results (through oral and poster presentations) were presented at several international conferences, as highlighted in the Products section. PI successfully organized a conference "19th International Symposium of Fine Bubble Technology" February 20-23, 2024 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This conference consisted of international researchers and industry leaders in nanobubble technology. Several tours to our aquaponic facility were organized for visitors and students. Ongoing collaboration was established with Mari's Gardens, a local aquaponic farm in Mililani, Hawai'i, for the commercial-scale deployment of NB technology in aquaponic systems. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In the Pope Greenhouse facility at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, we successfully operated three floating raft aquaponic systems concurrently. Each system was equipped with an 80-gal fish tank, a 100-gal grow bed designed to support 24 butterhead lettuce plants, and a 2-gal biofilter. Two systems utilized nanobubble (NB) generators from different manufacturers, IDEC (Japan) and Moleaer (USA), each integrated directly into the grow bed. The third system functioned as the control group, utilizing conventional coarse diffusers. Over three experimental trials (Objective 3), distinct outcomes were observed in plant yields between the two systems equipped with NB generators. The system utilizing the IDEC generator observed a substantial increase in butterhead lettuce yields (35-45%), while the system with the Moleaer generator exhibited a decrease in yields by ~ 10%. Notably, Tilapia biomass remained consistent across both NB treatments with no significant weight differences. In addition, the IDEC system demonstrated higher accumulation of nitrates as well as lower concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and total solids throughout the 50-d growth cycle. The lower plant yield from the Moleaer system is hypothesized to be due to heat generation, increasing water temperature by about 5-7 °C compared to the control group (i.e., system aerated with conventional coarse diffuser). Further analysis (Objective 1) was conducted to determine the average size, concentration, and zeta potential of NB generated by the IDEC system. The results revealed the production of NB averaging 125 nm in size with a concentration of 1.08 × 108 bubbles mL-1 and a zeta potential of -22.6 mV, suggesting stable negatively charged NB under typical aquaponics operational conditions. Zeta potential varied across pH (3-10), ranging from -17.7 mV to -27.6 mV, without significant changes in size and concentration. We also examined the potential of NB-infused water to induce the oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe²?) to ferric iron (Fe³?) (i.e., Fenton reaction). Our observations revealed no significant oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron when exposed to NB-infused water. This suggests a lack of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under the conditions tested. An additional experiment (Objectives 1 and 2) assessed the oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficients using the IDEC NB generator in a non-reactive 50-gal tank. Findings indicated a 4.5-fold enhancement in oxygen mass transfer rates compared to conventional diffusion methods. Moreover, the IDEC generator supersaturated oxygen concentrations to 12.54 ± 0.82 mg L−1 in 50-gal of water maintained at 20 °C for over 48 h. Objective 4 of the study was successfully achieved by thoroughly analyzing the impacts of NB and the control group on the microbial communities within aquaponic systems. The analysis revealed that NB aeration significantly enhanced microbial diversity in only in aquaculture effluent, suggesting improved ecosystem health. Despite altering several nitrifying taxa, NB aeration favored the growth of rare microbes like Candidatus nitrocosmicus. The study also highlighted shifts in microbial interactions and identified key genera involved in nitrogen transformation and organic degradation. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that NB-aerated systems displayed a reduction in keystone taxa (Betaproteobacteriales, Niabella, and Hydrogenispora) and a clear separation among microbial clusters, indicating that NB aeration may create varied environmental niches, thereby impacting microbial relationships and ecosystem functions.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Marcelino, K. R.; Wongkiew, S.; Shitanaka, T.; Surendra, K. C.; Song, B.; Khanal, S. K. 2023. Micronanobubble Aeration Enhances Plant Yield and Nitrification in Aquaponic Systems. ACS EST Engineering.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.3c00344.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Marcelino, K. R.; Ling, L.; Wongkiew, S.; Nhan, H. T.; Surendra, K. C.; Shitanaka, T.; Lu, H.; Khanal, S. K., 2022. Nanobubble Technology Applications in Environmental and Agricultural Systems: Opportunities and Challenges. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2022.2136931
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Wongkiew, S., Hu, Z., Lee, J.W., Chandran, K., Nhan, H.T., Marcelino, K.R., Khanal, SK, 2021. Nitrogen Recovery via Aquaponics-Bioponics: Engineering Considerations and Perspectives. ACS ES&T Engineering"
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.0c00196
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Progress 01/01/22 to 12/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The project provided internship opportunities for 2 UG students; the research results were also exclusively presented via zoom and onsite to global audience including advance agriculture course to graduate students at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in Jan 2022. Changes/Problems:This project involves analysis of microbial communities in CO-PD's Laboratory. The delay in laboratory supply procurement, shipping, and reduced staffing occupancy in the laboratory impacted our research activities. Moreover, the microbial analysis work was to be carried out by Collaborator Dr. Kartik Chandran at Columbia University. The closer of Co-PD's lab for a prolonged period coupled with several logistics challenges, PD had to find an alternative collaborator with expertise in the field. Dr. Bongkeun (BK) Song, Clark & Elizabeth Diamond Professor of Marine Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, was kind enough to work closely with PD for microbial analysis. All the microbial samples were sent to Dr. Song's laboratory during pandemic time. We recieved microbial data and are cuttently being analyzed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two MS students have been receiving training on the project. One MS student graduated and is continuing PhD studies. The aquaponics facility has been a major showcase in the college for visitors, faculty, staff, and students. Two undergraduate students were mentored on this project, specifically on the operation and maintenance of the aquaponic systems. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Thorugh journal publications, conference presentations Review article, "Marcelino, K. R.; Ling, L.; Wongkiew, S.; Nhan, H. T.; Surendra, K. C.; Shitanaka, T.; Lu, H.; Khanal, S. K., 2022. Nanobubble Technology Applications in Environmental and Agricultural Systems: Opportunities and Challenges. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology" has been published. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2022.2136931 Research results (through oral and poster presentations) were presented at several international conferences, as highlighted in the Products section Several aquaponic facility tours were organized for visitors and students. Ongoing collaboration was established with Mari's Gardens, a local aquaponic farm in Mililani, Hawai'i, for the commercial-scale deployment of NB technology in aquaponic systems. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we plan to disseminate our findings to the scientific community and local farmers in Hawaii with the help of Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Currently, we are analyzing microbial data in the aquaponic systems to further elucidate the nitrogen transformation pathway.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Four floating raft aquaponic systems were parallelly operated at the Pope Greenhouse facility, University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu, HI). Each system comprised of a 80-gal fish tank, a 100-gal grow bed (Butterhead lettuce, 24 plant capacity), and a 2-gal biofilter. Two of the four aquaponic systems were operated with different NB generators - IDEC (Japan) and Moleaer (USA). Each NB generator was connected in line to the grow bed. One aquaponic system (control group) was operated with conventional coarse diffusers. The fourth system (negative control group) was operated without aeration into the grow bed. After three experimental trials, it was confirmed that each NB generator produced contrasting results in plant yields. One NB generator showed significantly improved plant yields (35-45%), while the other showed a 10% decrease. Both NB treatments showed no significant differences in fish weight but higher nitrate concentration. Lower plant yield, mainly observed from one NB generator, was most likely attributed to heat generation (~5-7 °C). The NB generator that resulted in higher plant yields had lower dissolved organic carbon and total solids in the biofilter over the 50-day growth period. One experiment was conducted to determine the average size, concentration, and zeta potentials of NB. Results showed that, on average NB of 125 nm were produced with a concentration of 1.08 × 108 bubbles mL−1, and a zeta potential of -22.6 mV with the IDEC generator in double distilled water (pH 6.92). When pH was adjusted around the recommended levels for aquaponics, zeta potentials remained negative, ranging between -17.7 mV (pH 5.96) to -27.6 (pH 8.67). Size and bubble concentration did not significantly change (p <0.05) with pH. The results indicate that negatively charged NB could exist at the operation condition for aquaponics. Another experiment was conducted to determine the mass transfer of the NB-air generated by IDEC generator in a non-reactive 50-gal tank. Results showed that the IDEC NB generator resulted in 4.5-folds higher oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient compared to the conventional diffuser used in the aquaponic application study. Furthermore, the IDEC NB generator reached and maintained oxygen supersaturation (12.54 ± 0.82 mg L−1) in 50-gal water (controlled at 20 °C) for more than 48 hours. Overall, Objectives 1, 2, and 3 are completed, with Objective 4 is in progress.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Marcelino, K. R., and Khanal, S. K*. International Conference on Emerging Trends in Biosciences and Chemical Technology- 2022 (ETBCT 2022), December 3-5, 2022 (Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India (Virtual)). Nanobubble technology: An emerging frontier in environmental and agricultural applications.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Global Lecture Series, The Biotech Research Society of India, Trivandrum, India (Virtual) (October 19, 2022). Nanobubble technology in environmental remediation and food production.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Marcelino, K. R., and Khanal, S. K*. College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam (On-site) (May 17, 2022). Nanobubble technology in environmental and aquaculture/aquaponics applications.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Plenary Speaker, Khanal, S.K. International Workshop on Agricultural Waste Reclamation and Utilization (AWRU2021), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan (Virtual) (September 25-26, 2021). Nanobubbles: An emerging frontier in environmental and agricultural applications.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Plenary Speaker: Khanal, S.K. 9th International Conference on Bioprocessing (IBA-IFIBiop 2021), Universidad Aut�noma de Coahuila in Saltillo, Coahuila, M�xico (Virtual) (September 13-15, 2021). Nanobubble technology applications in aquaculture and aquaponics.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Marcelino, K. R.; Ling, L.; Wongkiew, S.; Nhan, H. T.; Surendra, K. C.; Shitanaka, T.; Lu, H.; Khanal, S. K., 2022. Nanobubble Technology Applications in Environmental and Agricultural Systems: Opportunities and Challenges. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology" https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2022.2136931
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Marcelino, K. R., and Khanal, S. K*. 18th International Symposium of Fine Bubble Technology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan (December 21, 2022). Application of Air Nanobubbles in Floating-Raft Aquaponics.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Lowe, L*., Shitanaka, T. and Khanal, S.K. 18th International Symposium of Fine Bubble Technology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan (December 21, 2022). Physicochemical properties of air ultrafine bubbles generated using a ceramic membrane.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Special Lecture: Khanal, S.K. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China (August 27, 2021). Nanobubbles: An emerging frontier in environmental and agricultural applications.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Invited Speaker, Khanal, S.K. 3rd International Conference for Bioresource Technology for Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Environmental Sustainability (BIORESTEC) (Virtual), (May 17, 2021). Nanobubble technology applications in environment and agriculture.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Poster Presentation, S-1075 The Science and Engineering for a Biobased Industry and Economy, Houston, Texas (July 15-16, 2022). "Application of Nanobubble Technology in Floating-Raft Aquaponics
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Kyle Rafael Marcelino. 2022. Application of nanobubble aeration technologies to floating raft aquaponics. M.S. Thesis, University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
NB research updated in website: www.samirkkhanal.com
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Progress 01/01/21 to 12/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The research project has provided training opportunity for 2 graduate students. One of the local students was the first-generation college student. NB mass transfer experiment was included in part of undergraduate laboratory researchon course BE 373: Transport Phenomena. Several local hydroponic/aquaponic farmers have visited the facility and have shown interest on the project. Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture has been working with project PI on this project for field application. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. Two MS students have been receiving training on the project. 2. The aquaponics facility has also been a major showcase in the college for faculty, staffs, and students 3. One undergraduate student also mentored on this project, specifically on the operation and maintenance of aquaponic systems. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? One related review article, titled "Wongkiew, S., Hu, Z., Lee, J.W., Chandran, K., Nhan, H.T., Marcelino, K.R., Khanal, S.K., 2021. Nitrogen Recovery via Aquaponics-Bioponics: Engineering Considerations and Perspectives. ACS ES&T Engineering" has been published. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.0c00196 One more review paper and two research papers, have been prepared and expected to submit for further publications. The research results (oral presentation) were presented at several international conferences as highlighted inthe Products section. Aquaponic facility tour was organized for visitors and students. We have collaborated with Mari's Gardens, a local aquaponic farm in Mililani, Hawai'i, for monitoring water quality from aquaponic systems with NB application. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we plan to finish data collection and disseminate our findings through the scientific community and local farmers in Hawaii with the help of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Currently, we are collecting data to fully characterize nanobubbles (quantifying zeta potential, bubble size, and bubble concentration) and conducting a complete oxygen mass transfer study. Microbial data and nitrogen mass balance will also be fully analyzed to further elucidate the transformation of nitrogen and how nanobubbles increase nitrogen utilization efficiency.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Four recirculating floating raft aquaponics systems were parallelly operated, each comprising 140-gal fiberglass fish tanks, 80-gal grow beds (24 plant capacity; Butterhead lettuce), and 2-gal biological filters. Two out of the four aquaponic systems consisted of different NB generators, respectively (IDEC (Japan), Moleaer (USA),) connected in-line to the plant grow bed. In contrast, one aquaponic system was aeriated using coarse bubble diffusers (control group) and the fourth system with no treatment to the grow bed (negative control group). After three experimental replications, it was confirmed that each NB generator produced different contrasting results between plant and fish yields. One generator significantly showed improved plant (25-45%) and fish (25-10%) yields, while the other showed a 10% decrease in plant yields and no differences in fish weight. Yield reduction was most likely attributed to the heat generated, particularly from this NB generator. Both generators produced higher nitrate. However, a conclusion cannot be made until a nitrogen mass balance study is conducted where both fish and plant yield are considered. Further experiments were also conducted to examine the NB characteristics especially the size and concentration of NB. Preliminary results for IDEC generator showed dominant 60 nm sized nanoparticles with an average size of 90.2 ± 1.3 nm and bubble particle concentration of 1.54e+08 ± 5.67e+06particles/ml based on average of 5 trials. Theaverage zeta potential-25.9 ± 1.4 mV. We have completed Objectives 1, 2 and nearly half of objective 3.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Wongkiew, S., Hu, Z., Lee, J.W., Chandran, K., Nhan, H.T., Marcelino, K.R., Khanal, S.K., 2021. Nitrogen Recovery via AquaponicsBioponics: Engineering Considerations and Perspectives. ACS ES&T Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.0c00196
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Marcelino, K.R*., and Khanal, S.K. Nanobubble technology in aquaponics. 2021 International Conference on Sustainable Biowaste Management April 12-14, 2021, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Plenary speaker, International Workshop on Agricultural Waste Reclamation and Utilization (AWRU2021), University of Tsukuba (Virtual, Sep 25-26, 2021). Nanobubbles: An emerging frontier in environmental and agricultural applications.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Plenary speaker, 9th International Conference on Bioprocessing (IBA-IFIBiop 2021), Universidad Aut�noma de Coahuila in Saltillo, Coahuila, M�xico (Virtual, Sep 13-15, 2021). Nanobubble technology applications in aquaculture and aquaponics.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Invited speaker, 3rd International Conference for Bioresource Technology for Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Environmental Sustainability (BIORESTEC) (Virtual, May 17, 2021). Nanobubble technology applications in environment and agriculture.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Plenary speaker, International conference on Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Health (BASEH-2021), Jaipur, India (Hybrid, Apr 4, 2021). Nanobubble technology applications in agriculture and environment.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Guest speaker, Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID (Virtual, Mar 31, 2021). Nanobubble technology applications in agriculture and environment.
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