A mathematical model for an integrated experimental aquaculture plant

A continuous deterministic model is proposed for qualitatively simulating the dynamics of an experimental aquaculture plant. The governing equations are ordinary differential equations. The state variables are considered in terms of biomass or concentrations and the equations are built according to balance arguments. The aquaculture plant may be represented in terms of two main elements: the tanks, where different species of fish are grown, and a pond, that provides for phytodepuration of the waste water of the tanks. The main forcing functions are temperature and solar radiation. The state variables are fish, feed and detritus in the tanks, while nutrients, phytoplankton, macrophytes, bacterial pool and detritus are those considered in the pond. A daily exogeneous input of fish feed is also considered. The model takes into account for both diel and seasonal variability.