U.S.-Thailand Cooperative Research on Sediment Trapping by Brackish Water Ponds in Thailand

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This proposal requests funds to permit Dr. Claude E. Boyd, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn, University, to pursue with Dr. Yont Musig, Department of Aquaculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand, for a period of 24 months, a program of cooperative research on sediment trapping by brackish water aquaculture ponds in the vicinity of Bangkok, Thailand. Objectives of the research are (1) to evaluate the sediment trapping ability of these ponds and (2) to determine the chemical and textural composition of the sediment as well as its oxygen consumption rate. Four large rivers enter the upper Gulf of Thailand in the region around Bangkok. These rivers drain a large area of agricultural land and pass through the heavily populated area around Bangkok. Their waters are laden with suspended soil particles, organic matter, and nutrients. In the estuarine reaches of the rivers, a vast network of canals has been constructed for transportation, domestic and industrial water, irrigation, capture fisheries, and to supply water for brackish water aquaculture farms. These farms are mostly used for shrimp production by extensive methods, i.e. without the addition of manure, fertilizers, or feed. Water flushes through the ponds at the rate of at least 10% per day. It is in this setting that the PI's will study the sediment trapping ability of the ponds and the ecological importance of processes occurring therein. Through an understanding of these processes, better water management schemes may be formulated for the region. The PI's have a record of successful collaboration in the field of this research. The present project will allow them to combine their talents and interests for mutual benefit. This project is relevant to the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries Program which seeks to increase the level of cooperation between U.S. scientists and engineers and their counterparts in developing countries through the exchange of scientific information, ideas, skills, and techniques and through collaboration on problems of mutual benefit.