The addition of oyster shells could improve the growth indicators of shrimp
The body length, weight, and survival rate of shrimp were significantly lower in the control group compared to the experimental group, thereby confirming that the addition of oyster shells not only enhanced survival rates but also fostered superior growth conditions for individual shrimp. Despite identical feed inputs between the control and experimental groups, the latter demonstrated higher survival rates, with each shrimp receiving, on average, less feed than those in the control group. This finding indicates that the incorporation of oyster shells also improved feed utilization efficiency.
In comparing the high-concentration and low-concentration oyster shell addition groups, it was observed that no significant differences in body length, weight and survival rate. The increased concentration of oyster shell addition did not result in superior biological enhancement, indicating that an addition rate of 4‰ may have already reached the functional limit for oyster shell enhancement within the aquaculture system, or other factors may be constraining the biological enhancement potential of oyster shells. The excessive addition of oyster shells could potentially disturb the water's acid-base equilibrium and elevate pH levels. However, an addition of 16‰ oyster shells did not constitute an excessive level, suggesting that the threshold for detrimental effects has not yet been reached.
The addition of oyster shells could improve the water quality in aquaculture
The monitoring of hydrochemical indicators throughout the aquaculture process demonstrated that oyster shells had a marked impact on enhancing water quality. Phosphate, among the hydrochemical factors, correlated positively with shrimp body length, weight, and survival rate, with concentrations notably lower in the control group than in the experimental group. As a vital water buffer, phosphate stabilizes pH levels and bolsters the shrimp's immune system and resilience, thereby fostering robust growth(Nathanailides et al., 2023; Vijuksungsith et al., 2023). In contrast, nitrite displayed a negative correlation with these same parameters, with concentrations surpassing those of the control group after 35 days. The recognized adverse effects of nitrite on shrimp aquaculture are well-documented(Gross, Abutbul, & Zilberg, 2004; Tomasso, 2012). The initial lower nitrite levels in the control group could be attributed to the high water exchange rates, as ammonia nitrogen derived from feed serves as a primary source of nitrite. As feed input escalated during the aquaculture cycle, ammonia nitrogen levels increased; however, the control group's daily 10% water exchange rate effectively decelerated ammonia nitrogen accumulation, thereby mitigating nitrite buildup. Conversely, the experimental group, with a daily 2% water exchange rate, witnessed more rapid nitrite accumulation relative to the control group. During the later stages of the culture period, the bacterial composition of the biofilm on the oyster shells underwent changes, with Nitrospira becoming overwhelmingly dominant in terms of abundance from day 56, speeding up the process of converting nitrite to nitrate. Consequently, this resulted in a higher concentration of nitrate in the experimental group than in the control group.The incorporation of oyster shells not only augmented phosphate levels but also curbed nitrite concentrations, substantiating the biological enhancement capabilities of oyster shells.
Nitrospira, Ruegferia, and Tenacibaculum were the dominant bacteria in the biofilm
In the bacterial community of the biofilm, prior to the emergence of Nitrospira as the dominant bacteria, Ruegeria and Tenacibaculum were the predominant species within the biofilm. Ruegeria, an aerobic chemoheterotrophic bacterium, was noted for its high capacity for polysaccharide metabolism, which enabled it to contribute to the degradation of algal cell walls(Huo et al., 2011; Yin et al., 2023). Research had demonstrated that Tenacibaculum could rapidly establish biofilms on polystyrene surfaces, exhibiting hydrophobic characteristics that were likely associated with biofilm formation. Additionally, Tenacibaculum maritimum, recognized as a fish pathogen, was known to possess the ability to form biofilms(Avendaño-Herrera, Toranzo, & Magariños, 2006; Levipan et al., 2019).
Regardless of whether in the control or experimental groups, the concentrations of ammonia and nitrite in the water were notably high. However, Nitrospira was not the dominant bacterial genus within the bacterial communities of the control sample waters. It is hypothesized that Nitrospira in both high and low concentration groups originated from biofilms. Microorganisms on the surfaces of oyster shells interconnected through an extracellular polymeric substance matrix, forming a stable community structure. This structure not only provided physical protection for the microorganisms but also conferred advantages in resource acquisition and substance exchange. The favorable microenvironment within the biofilm promoted the growth and activity of Nitrospira(Vijayan et al., 2021; Zhou et al., 2023). The significant enrichment of Nitrospira within the biofilms led to increased accumulation of this genus in water, which, through water and feed, influenced the distribution of Nitrospira within the gut (F = 6.253, P = 0.020); however, it did not dominate the gut microbiota.
The relative abundance of Nitrospira in biofilm of the high concentration group was higher than that in the biofilm of the low concentration group. However, in water, the abundance of Nitrospira was higher in the low concentration group. From day 63 onwards, although there were still significant overall differences in nitrite levels, there were no significant differences between the high and low concentration groups, the treatment group and the high concentration group, or the control group and the low concentration group. This suggests that the nitrite concentration might have constrained the biofilm improvement ability in the high concentration group. The addition of oyster shells at both 4‰ and 16‰ had already provided sufficient Nitrospira to the aquaculture system.
In both water and gut environments, besides Nitrospira, Ruegeria, and Tenacibaculum, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia were identified as important differential dominant bacteria. These bacteria, belonging to the Burkholderia genus, were capable of assisting shrimp in digesting food, inhibiting pathogens, and even participating in the shrimp's immune system(Kaur, Selvakumar, & Ganeshamurthy, 2017; Suárez-Moreno et al., 2012). They also played roles in nitrogen fixation and aiding plant nutrient absorption(Sessitsch et al., 2005). Their dominance was likely related to their diverse biological functions.
Tenacibaculum, KI89A_clade, SWB02, and Nitrosomonaswere the inter-group differential bacteria in water and gut
Through the application of random forest analysis and one-way ANOVA, we identified significant inter-group differences in the relative abundance of Tenacibaculum within the shrimp gut. This abundance was notably correlated with shrimp growth indicators, floating particulate matter, and chemical oxygen demand. The relative abundance of Tenacibaculum in biofilms exhibited a gradual decline. We hypothesized that this phenomenon is attributable to the critical role of Tenacibaculum in the formation and structural stability of biofilms(Levipan et al., 2019). During the initial stages of biofilm formation, Tenacibaculum, which aids in establishing a stable biofilm structure, enjoys a competitive advantage in the ecological niche. However, as the biofilm structure matures and the concentration of nitrite increases, Nitrospira, with its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, gains a competitive edge, leading to a decrease in the relative abundance of Tenacibaculum(Palomo, Dechesne, Pedersen, & Smets, 2022). Throughout the aquaculture process, Tenacibaculum continually permeated from the biofilm into the water and the shrimp gut, resulting in a positive correlation between Tenacibaculum abundance and shrimp growth.
KI89A_clade, SWB02, and Nitrosomonas were significantly positively correlated with phosphate, while Nitrosomonas was also significantly positively correlated with nitrate in water. KI89A_clade is a bacterial group whose relationship with shrimp growth remains unclear, although studies have suggested it might be involved in nutrient cycling, particularly in denitrification and nitrogen fixation processes(S. Y. Q. Y. X. Li, Wei, & Ba, 2023; Ruprecht et al., 2021). SWB02 was found to enhance ammonia-oxidizing capacity and produce large quantities of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). These substances can form granules in ammonia-oxidizing systems, aiding in biofilm formation and potentially influencing the structure and function of microbial communities in biotreatment processes(Han, Yang, Fan, & Jin, 2024). Nitrosomonas, an important group of nitrifying bacteria, plays a key role in the first stage of nitrification by oxidizing ammonia (NH4+) to nitrite (NO2-)(Arp, Sayavedra-Soto, & Hommes, 2002). However, due to the rapid conversion of nitrite to nitrate by Nitrospira, Nitrosomonas showed a significant correlation with nitrate concentration. These processes may have indirect interactions with phosphate, which is a limiting factor for algae growth, and algae are a crucial component of primary producers in the aquatic environment(Lobus, 2022).