The system presented in this publication is an integrated nutrient recycling chain: manure – micro-algae – micro-shellfish – fish. The system developed is meant to be simple of operation in order to be easily integrated on the same site than the production buildings and to the farm operations. The biotreatment rely on normal bio-climatic conditions that nature provides without important human intervention. As a result, the biological activity in temperate climate will slow considerably during the cold season. Different techniques could be used to keep the biological activity however they are considered expensive and have not yet been studied. Another criteria retained is that the biomass produced have to be easily integrated in the agro-food economics and ideally directly at the farm level. Considering the algae-micro-shellfish chain, the biomass produced can be used for different purposes including as feed component for aquatic and terrestrial animals. The publication gives information on the biological and biochemical processes involved in the recycling chain, the valorization of the biomass, the economical and sanitary aspects of such recycling and the conception and management of such systems. Succinct information is also given on other treatment processes.
This recycling chain is interesting as the manure is reused in a longer chain than only manure concentration, treatment and reintroduction directly in the feed. However such lagoon system for biomass production doesn’t work when the weather too cold. Such system would be efficient only few months a year when the cold season is long.