Freshwater and Marine Aquaponics: Dr. Heather Joesting’s research group focuses on the plant portion of both freshwater and marine aquaponics. In a changing world, the future of food production is unclear and global food insecurity is expected to increase. Aquaculture is the production of fish for consumption (“fish-farming”), and aquaponics combines aquaculture and hydroponics (plant growth in water) in a closed-loop system. However, challenges remain in the development of a competitive aquaculture and aquaponics industry. Achieving a balance between profits and costs presents a barrier to the freshwater aquaponics industry, while the proper disposal of nutrient-rich wastewater serves as a both an economic cost and environmental risk of marine aquaculture. The research in Dr. Joesting’s group aims to (1) develop strategies that increase profits or reduce maintenance costs of freshwater aquaponics, with a focus on the hydroponic grow beds, and (2) evaluate the use native salt marsh plants for coastal restoration projects to remediate marine aquaculture effluent.

Research Plan for REU Participant: Students will be able to develop and conduct projects that (1) compare Spartina alterniflora (native salt marsh grass) growth using traditional nursery practices and an aboveground wetland, (2) assess the ability of Spartina alterniflora to remediate aquaculture effluent, (3) evaluate the effectiveness of solids removed from an aquaponics system as a nutrient source for soil-based plant growth, or (4) compare plant growth in hydroponic grow beds of aquaponics systems of various designs.

Research website: https://joestinglab.weebly.com/