Opportunities and Challenges of Multi-Loop Aquaponic Systems

Climate change requires new and innovative agricultural approaches to food security, especially in countries facing water scarcity. In this context, aquaponics could constitute a partial solution to tackle this issue. Traditional designs for one-loop aquaponic systems comprise of both aquaculture and hydroponics units between which water recirculates. This approach requires to make trade-offs between both subsystems in terms of pH, temperature, nutrient concentrations, etc. The results of this thesis show that multi-loop aquaponics, however, has the potential to constitute a major step towards making aquaponic food production systems economically viable.