Micro-particles in recirculating aquaculture systems: determination of particle density by density gradient centrifugation

Solid particulates in aquaculture waters are often separated from the culture water on a basis of density. The character and density of particles in such systems are not well defined. A method of determining the density of organic-based solids in aquaculture systems using density gradient centrifugation is demonstrated. The density of the two main particle fractions in one cold-water recirculating system producing smolt Atlantic salmon was determined using this method.