Influence of Biofloc Technology on Water Quality Parameters in Aquaculture: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Biofloc technology (BFT) is an environmentally friendly aquaculture technique in which water quality parameters maintenance and monitoring are the essential practices aiming at the success of the growing cycles. Studies revealed that improving water quality parameters in BFT and maintaining the safety range of the parameters could help to increase the growth performance of cultured species. Following a systematic review of the literatures, a meta-analysis was performed to explore how some important water parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrite (NO₂-N), nitrate (NO₃-N), ammonia (NH₃-N), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), total suspended solids (TSS), and alkalinity were influenced by different BFT systems. The PRISMA screening process was followed and 33 studies were finally eligible for the meta-analysis. The meta-analyses showed that NO₂-N and TSS were significantly affected by BFT, while pH, DO, NO₃-N, NH₃-N, TAN, and alkalinity were not significantly influenced by this system. The analyses revealed that NO₂-N had a significant negative effect because of BFT, whereas TSS showed a significant positive effect. The study also revealed some publication bias in which few experiments of some studies showed extremely positive and negative effect sizes because of BFT application in the system. Overall, the findings suggest a clear evidence of profound influence of BFT on the water quality parameters in different aquaculture systems, suggesting for the future development of BFT for sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture production.