Assessment of Water Quality Parameters in Penaeus monodon Culture Ponds: Implications for Sustainable Shrimp Aquaculture

Introduction

Aquaculture has become a key part of global food security, but its sustainability often faces environmental and management obstacles. In Indonesia, the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is a significant aquaculture product with high economic value and export potential (1). Since the 1990s, its productivity has declined due to poor environmental conditions, low-quality feed, and disease outbreaks, causing major economic losses for coastal communities that depend on shrimp farming (2). Tarakan City in North Kalimantan, with 61.8% of its area consisting of marine waters and extensive brackish ponds, holds strategic potential for revitalizing P. monodon culture (3). Nevertheless, the sector’s performance remains constrained by unstable pond ecosystems and fluctuating water quality.

Water quality is the most critical determinant of shrimp survival, growth, and resistance to pathogens. In the traditional extensive ponds that dominate North Kalimantan, key challenges include low growth rates, high disease susceptibility, and a heavy reliance on natural feed availability (4). The deterioration of water quality, driven by waste accumulation, seasonal fluctuations, and insufficient monitoring, often results in stress conditions that increase vulnerability to pathogens (5). Although guidelines and standards for optimal water parameters are available, practical monitoring in traditional systems is often inconsistent, leading to suboptimal production outcomes (6).

To address these limitations, systematic observation of water quality dynamics throughout the production cycle is essential. This study presents a conceptual model that links physical and chemical water parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate, to key shrimp performance indicators, such as survival, growth rate, and feed efficiency. However, empirical field-based studies documenting the temporal variation of such parameters in traditional shrimp ponds of Tarakan remain scarce, despite their socio-economic importance (7) .

Figure 1 illustrates the national trend of shrimp aquaculture production in Indonesia over the past decade. The steady increase from approximately 350,000 metric tons in 2011 to nearly 950,000 metric tons in 2021 reflects the growing economic importance of the shrimp industry. However, while national output continues to rise, many traditional systems, particularly in North Kalimantan and Tarakan, have not fully benefited from this growth due to persistent water quality and management constraints. Thisgap highlights the need for region-specific studies, such as the present research, to provide empirical data that can guide sustainable revitalization strategies for P. monodon culture.

This study was therefore designed to fill that gap by monitoring physical (temperature, salinity) and chemical (pH, dissolved oxygen, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate) parameters over a three-month grow-out period in two traditional ponds. By linking observed water conditions with shrimp performance, this research provides new insights into the environmental feasibility of P. monodon culture in Tarakan. The findings are expected to support evidence-based management strategies that enhance pond productivity, reduce disease risks, and ensure the long-term sustainability of traditional shrimp farming systems.

Methodology

Study Design and Rationale

This study employed an observational field-based design to systematically monitor water quality dynamics in traditional black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) ponds. The rationale for this design was to capture the temporal variability of key physicochemical parameters throughout the culture cycle and assess their suitability for sustaining shrimp growth and survival. The study compared two contrasting pond environments, one located near agricultural land and the other near a residential area, while maintaining identical culture and sampling protocols to ensure comparability.

Study Site and Sampling Framework

The research was conducted between April and July 2022 in two traditional shrimp ponds located in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, Indonesia. The ponds were managed extensively, without mechanical aeration, and relied on natural feed availability. Pond 1 (T1) was located near an agricultural area (±0.075 ha), while Pond 2 (T2) was located near a residential location (±0.1219 ha). The corrected stocking density for both ponds was approximately 3 post-larvae per m² at PL20, which reflects the typical range for traditional extensive systems.

Water samples were collected every two weeks during the three-month culture cycle (90 days). Although sampling frequency was limited by logistical constraints, this schedule was designed to represent early, mid, and late grow-out phases. At each pond, three fixed sampling stations were established: (i) the water inlet, (ii) the left side, and (iii) the right side of the pond. At each station, water was sampled at 20 cm depth using sterilized 140 mL bottles.Samples were preserved in ice boxes and transported immediately to the Aquaculture Nutrition Laboratory, University of Borneo Tarakan, for analysis. A schematic layout of the sampling stations in each pond is shown in Figure 2, illustrating the position of the inlet, left-side station, and right-side station (K1-3 replicates).

Parameters and Measurements

A combination of in situ and laboratory assessments was conducted to characterize water quality. Physical parameters included temperature, measured with a calibrated thermometer, and salinity, determined using a handheld refractometer. Chemical parameters comprised pH, measured with a pH meter; dissolved oxygen (DO), assessed using a DO meter; and nutrient-related indicators, including total ammonia nitrogen (NH₃–N), nitrite (NO₂⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), and water hardness expressed as CaCO₃ concentration. All instruments were calibrated before each sampling event following the manufacturer’s instructions and verified against certified standards to ensure data accuracy. All field measurements were performed in triplicate for reproducibility and consistency across sampling sites.

Laboratory Analyses

Nutrient analyses were conducted using standard freshwater test kits: ammonia was quantified using a spectrophotometric colorimetric method at 640 nm; nitrite was determined by the diazotization method with sulfanilamide; nitrate was analyzed via cadmium reduction followed by colorimetric detection; phosphate was assessed using the ascorbic acid method with absorbance read at 880 nm; and water hardness was measured through EDTA titration with Eriochrome Black T as indicator.

All analytical procedures followed the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater to ensure methodological accuracy and reproducibility.

Data Analysis

Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) were computed for all measured parameters. Temporal variations between ponds and among sampling periods were evaluated and compared against the Indonesian National Standard for shrimp farming water quality (SNI 8038.1:2014) as well as international reference values. Deviations from acceptable ranges were interpreted as potential limiting factors for shrimp culture.

Results and Discussion

Overview of Water Quality Parameters

Mean (± standard error) values of key water quality parameters are presented in Table 1. Most parameters, temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen (DO), remained within the optimal ranges for Penaeus monodon culture throughout the observation period. However, ammonia levels intermittently exceeded the recommended limit of 0.1 mg/L⁻¹, particularly during mid- and late-culture phases, suggesting nutrient accumulation likely driven by feed residues and limited water exchange efficiency (8).

Temperature and pH

Both ponds exhibited relatively stable temperatures (31–32 °C), consistent with the optimal range for P. monodon growth (26–32 °C, SNI 8038.1:2014). The lack of a significant difference (p > 0.05) between ponds indicates that ambient climatic conditions, rather than pond proximity to agriculture or residential areas, were the main drivers of temperature variation (9, 10).

Similarly, pH values ranged between 7.3 and 7.8, slightly lower than the upper optimum (7.8–8.4) but adequate for shrimp health. Slightly acidic tendencies in some weeks may reflect CO₂ accumulation from microbial respiration in pond sediment (9).

Salinity

Salinity across both ponds ranged from 17.3 to 17.9 ppt, remaining within the tolerance range for Penaeus monodon (10–35 ppt; SNI 8038.1:2014). Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between ponds (p > 0.05), indicating that tidal water sources maintained relatively uniform salinity. Minor fluctuations were observed following rainfall events, particularly in Pond 2, which is located closer to residential areas and thus more susceptible to freshwater inflow from surface runoff (11).

Slightly lower salinity values in Pond 2 (mean 17.33 ± 0.04 ppt) compared to Pond 1 (17.77 ± 0.05 ppt) may influence osmoregulation energy costs, potentially affecting shrimp feed conversion efficiency (12). However, the observed range is still within physiological limits, suggesting that both ponds maintained an adequate ionic environment for shrimp growth. Long-term monitoring of salinity dynamics in relation to rainfall and tidal cycles is recommended to optimize water management and feeding strategies (13).

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is essential for respiration and metabolic processes in shrimp. Adequate oxygen levels are critical for maintaining health, growth, and survival, while low concentrations may induce stress or mortality in Penaeus monodon (14). DO levels (5.3–5.9 mg L⁻¹) were within the recommended range (4–8 mg L⁻¹) and showed no significant difference between ponds (p > 0.05). Minor fluctuations were observed during late culture, likely related to phytoplankton blooms and organic matter oxidation. The diurnal DO pattern typically peaks in the afternoon due to photosynthetic activity and declines at night, a dynamic consistent with semi-extensive pond systems (15).

Nitrogen Dynamics (Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate)

Nitrate is the most stable and predominant form of nitrogen in natural waters, resulting from the complete oxidation of nitrogenous compounds. Although highly soluble, elevated nitrate concentrations in aquaculture ponds may degrade water quality and impair shrimp health, potentially leading to mortality (16). In shrimp ponds, nitrate commonly originates from excess feed, fertilizers, and animal waste. Nitrification, the microbial oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and subsequently to nitrate, represents a critical component of the nitrogen cycle (17). Moreover, other nitrogenous compounds, such as ammonia and nitrite, also exhibited temporal variations indicative of nutrient loading and microbial transformation processes (see Figure 3).

Ammonia (NH₃–N) was the most variable and ecologically critical parameter. Concentrations in Pond 1 (0.25–0.31 mg L⁻¹) and Pond 2 (0–0.4 mg L⁻¹) frequently exceeded the safe limit (≤ 0.1 mg L⁻¹), contradicting the earlier assumption of “stable pond conditions.” Elevated ammonia likely originated from uneaten feed, fecal matter, and sediment decomposition. Pond 2, located closer to residential areas, exhibited more frequent ammonia spikes, possibly due to domestic runoff input.

In natural waters, nitrite generally occurs at very low concentrations compared to nitrate, as it is unstable in the presence of oxygen. Nitrite is toxic to fish and shrimp because it oxidizes hemoglobin, thereby reducing its oxygen-binding capacity. The toxicity mechanism involves interference with oxygen transport in the blood and tissue damage (18).  Nitrite (0–0.4 mg L⁻¹) and nitrate (0–0.4 mg L⁻¹) remained below their respective toxicity thresholds (1.0 mg L⁻¹ and 0.5 mg L⁻¹), suggesting effective nitrification, although occasional peaks followed ammonia surges.

Ammonia (NH₃–N)

Ammonia (NH₃) is one of the most critical parameters influencing shrimp health and pond productivity. It is mainly derived from shrimp excretion, uneaten feed, decomposition of organic matter, and sediment resuspension. In aquaculture systems, ammonia exists as unionized NH₃ (toxic) and ionized NH₄⁺ (less toxic), collectively expressed as Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) (19). High TAN concentrations elevate oxygen demand, suppress growth, and may induce mortality when exceeding 0.6 mg/L, whereas optimal levels should remain ≤0.1 mg/L (20).

During the 10-week culture period, ammonia levels fluctuated notably between ponds and sampling weeks. In Pond 1 (near agricultural land), concentrations ranged from 0.20–0.31 mg/L, consistently above the recommended safe limit, suggesting the influence of nutrient runoff from surrounding soil and limited water exchange. In Pond 2 (near residential area), ammonia ranged from 0.00–0.40 mg/L, showing more pronounced peaks in mid-cycle (weeks 6–8), likely associated with organic matter buildup and reduced dissolved oxygen during hot, stagnant conditions (21, 22).

As shown in Figure 4, ammonia concentrations fluctuated above the safe limit in several weeks, particularly in Pond 2, suggesting inefficient nitrogen removal and accumulation due to limited water exchange and feed waste. These results reveal that despite other parameters (pH, salinity, and DO) being within acceptable ranges, ammonia frequently exceeded safe thresholds in both ponds, contradicting any claim of stable pond conditions. This underscores that pond stability must be interpreted holistically rather than based solely on temperature or DO stability. The recurring exceedance of ammonia indicates an imbalance between organic matter input and microbial degradation capacity.

From an ecological standpoint, nutrient accumulation in these traditional ponds likely stems from:

1. Feed waste and shrimp excretion, both primary ammonia contributors;
2. Low water exchange frequency, common in extensive systems, which limits nitrogen dilution; and
3. Sediment nutrient release, especially in older ponds with fine organic deposits.

These findings suggest that managing ammonia levels requires improved feed practices (e.g., enhanced feed conversion efficiency and optimized feeding schedules), periodic sediment removal, and aeration or partial water exchange to promote nitrification.

Overall, both ponds exhibited ammonia concentrations above the safe limit at various points in the culture cycle, suggesting the need for improved feed management and water exchange practices to mitigate ammonia accumulation.

Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)

Phosphate is an essential nutrient that supports shrimp growth and phytoplankton productivity in aquaculture systems (Amri, 2008) (23). However, excessive phosphate enrichment can trigger eutrophication, reduce dissolved oxygen, and deteriorate pond conditions (24).

During the observation period, phosphate concentrations ranged from 0 to 0.3 mg/L in Pond 1 and 0 to 0.5 mg/L in Pond 2, both remaining well below the reference limit of 1–5 mg/L (25). The slightly higher values observed in Pond 2 indicate localized nutrient inputs, possibly derived from residential runoff and feed residues. Although these levels do not pose immediate eutrophication risks, they indicate early signs of nutrient accumulation that could compromise pond stability if left unmanaged.

From an ecological perspective, phosphate variation between ponds likely reflects differences in land use and management intensity. Pond 1, located near agricultural land, may experience nutrient binding in soil sediment, while Pond 2, closer to residential areas, receives more direct input from feed dust and domestic runoff.

Maintaining balanced phosphate levels is therefore essential to prevent oxygen depletion and algal overgrowth. Proper feed management, periodic sediment removal, and controlled water exchange can minimize phosphorus buildup and sustain pond productivity over time.

Water Hardness

Water hardness is a critical parameter in shrimp pond culture, as it influences growth, health, and overall productivity. Calcium and magnesium, the primary constituents of hardness, are essential for exoskeleton formation and successful molting in Penaeus monodon. Molting requires sufficient calcium availability to form new cuticle layers; deficiencies can disrupt the process and negatively impact growth (24).

During the observation period, water hardness ranged between 0.17 and 0.43 mg/L CaCO₃ across all sampling stations. Pond 1 exhibited slightly higher values (0.30–0.43 mg/L CaCO₃) compared to Pond 2 (0.17–0.30 mg/L CaCO₃), suggesting mineral enrichment from agricultural soil runoff in the surrounding area. Despite these variations, all recorded values were far below the reference limit of 100 mg/L CaCO₃, indicating that the ponds maintained soft-water conditions throughout the culture period.

From an ecological perspective, the low hardness levels may reflect limited groundwater inflow or frequent rainfall dilution, typical of traditional earthen ponds. While such softness did not appear to impair shrimp survival, prolonged exposure could reduce shell quality and molting efficiency due to insufficient calcium availability (26).

Although hardness remained relatively stable throughout the 10-week observation, maintaining mineral balance is crucial for sustainable pond management. Periodic supplementation with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) or controlled water exchange using mineral-rich sources may help stabilize hardness and prevent physiological stress in shrimp.

Overall, both ponds showed consistent but low hardness levels, which are still enough to support basic physiological functions but could benefit from better mineral management to improve molting performance and pond productivity.

Conclusion

This study showed that while most water quality parameters, including pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, were generally within acceptable limits for Penaeus monodon culture, several parameters, particularly ammonia and, at times, nitrite, exceeded safe thresholds during certain weeks. These fluctuations indicate that pond stability was only partial, reflecting imbalances between feed input, organic matter decomposition, and limited water exchange efficiency. Acknowledging the study’s limitations, such as biweekly sampling intervals, a small number of sampling stations, and the absence of biological response data (growth and survival), future work should integrate higher-frequency monitoring and sediment–water nutrient interactions to better quantify cause-and-effect relationships. Overall, this study highlights that traditional shrimp ponds in Tarakan remain environmentally feasible but require improved nutrient management, aeration, and consistent monitoring to maintain stable and productive culture conditions.