<b>Sediment sample collecting in fish ponds</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v27i3.1217

Abstract

Sample collecting is crucial for the representativeness of sediments analysis in fish pond. The number of samples and their randomization are among the various factors that may affect results. Current research aims to analyze and develop a technique for sample collecting in fish pond through the evaluation of the effects of the sample number on the variability of results obtained. A fry pond at the Fish culture Station of the State University of Maringá/Codapar, located in the district of Floriano, Maringá city, Paraná State, Brazil, was used. Whereas samples were collected in nine sites within the pond, according to the square division method, in a randomized imaginary S, a sample comprising 10 simple samples was randomly collected for comparison with the pond original soil at its margin. The main chemical characteristics of the original soil and of the pond sediments in the samples were determined. Highest variation coefficients among the characteristics were phosphorus and carbon; soil pH showed the lowest coefficient. It has been found that a representative sample, at 5% level, could be obtained from seven randomly collected simple samples at a 20% variation of the correct average. Fifty-six collections of simple samples were needed in the case of phosphorus and carbon, at 1% level of probability and 10% average variability. The six square division method plus the imaginary S-collection method and randomization were a good technique to assess the pond fertility