Assessing environmental pollution from shrimp farming activities in Soc Trang province

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the level of environmental pollution from shrimp farming in coastal areas of Soc Trang province. A total of 10 shrimp farming households and 50 neighbouring households were interviewed about emissions and environmental sanitation conditions. At the end of the shrimp season, pond water samples were collected from 5 semi-intensive ponds and 5 intensive ponds, bottom sediment samples were collected from 5 semi-intensive ponds to evaluate the level of pollution. Interview results indicated that wastewater and bottom sediment from shrimp farming are the main causes of declining surface water quality and reducing the number of wild fish; pollution levels are likely to increase in the future. The pH, total suspended solid (TSS), BOD5, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values of pond water samples are suitable for shrimp farming (except TSS of water samples in Cu Lao Dung and Long Phu); total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and total phosphorus (TP) contents fluctuate widely between sampling ponds. The metal content in the bottom sediment is lower than the allowable discharge threshold of sediment quality standards. Solid waste generated in farming areas has not been properly collected and treated. To sustainably develop the shrimp industry, local authorities need to encourage shrimp farmers to apply proper waste treatment technologies in addition to state management solutions.