Analysis of the Effectiveness of Sand Filters for Raw Water Treatment in Brackish Water Aquaculture Environments

Abstract

Brackish water used in aquaculture often contains high levels of contaminants that require treatment to make it suitable for farming. This study evaluates the effectiveness of sand filters in improving raw water quality at the Brackish Water Aquaculture Fisheries Center in Takalar, South Sulawesi, over a two-month monitoring period. A pre- and post-filtration analysis was conducted on key water quality parameters, including Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Ammonia (NH₃), Nitrite (NO₂), and Total Bacterial Count (CFU/mL). Results indicated that the sand filter system effectively reduced TOC by 20.99% and bacterial load by 13.18%. However, ammonia removal was minimal at 1.04%, and nitrite levels rose significantly by 23.93% after filtration. These findings indicate that while sand filters effectively reduce organic and microbial pollutants, they are inadequate for managing nitrogen compounds. The novelty of this study lies in its use of sand filtration in operational, high-salinity aquaculture environments, a context that remains insufficiently explored in existing research literature. Further integration with biological filtration systems is advised to boost nitrogen removal and enhance overall treatment efficiency.

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