1. Introduction
Aquaculture wastewater contains high concentrations of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and residual feed components, which can cause severe environmental issues if discharged untreated. Conventional treatment technologies, such as activated sludge or filtration, often fail to degrade refractory organic compounds and achieve complete nutrient removal. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have emerged as effective methods for treating recalcitrant pollutants, among which the electro-Fenton process is particularly promising.
Electro-Fenton treatment uses in situ generated hydroxyl radicals to oxidize and break down complex organic molecules. By combining electrochemical reactions with the classic Fenton reaction, this method offers high pollutant degradation efficiency, short treatment times, and the potential for integration into existing aquaculture wasteWater Management Systems. Recent studies in 2025 indicate that electro-Fenton processes can remove up to 85–90% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and achieve significant reductions in ammonia and phosphate concentrations.
2. Principles and Mechanisms
The electro-Fenton process involves generating hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) electrochemically at a cathode and simultaneously producing ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) to catalyze the formation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH). These radicals are highly reactive, capable of oxidizing a wide range of organic pollutants, including proteins, lipids, and residual feed compounds commonly found in aquaculture effluents.
The overall reaction sequence includes:
Process parameters such as pH, current density, electrode materials, and ferrous ion concentration significantly influence pollutant degradation efficiency. Optimizing these parameters is critical to ensure effective treatment while minimizing energy consumption.
3. Applications in Aquaculture Wastewater
Electro-Fenton processes are particularly suited for intensive aquaculture systems, where wastewater contains high organic loads and variable nutrient concentrations. Studies in 2025 demonstrate that integrating electro-Fenton treatment with pre-treatment steps, such as sedimentation or microfiltration, can achieve COD removal efficiencies above 85% and reduce ammonia and phosphate concentrations by 60–70%.
Additionally, electro-Fenton systems can handle variable flow rates and pollutant loads typical of aquaculture operations. The technology has been successfully applied in both freshwater and marine fish farms, as well as in shrimp cultivation, providing a reliable solution for advanced wasteWater Treatment.
4. Advantages and Challenges
Key advantages of electro-Fenton processes include rapid degradation of refractory organics, compatibility with existing aquaculture infrastructure, and the potential for modular design. The process can also be adjusted for small-scale or large-scale operations, offering flexibility in implementation.
Challenges include high operational costs due to electricity consumption, electrode maintenance, and the need to control pH carefully. Research efforts focus on developing low-cost electrode materials, integrating renewable energy sources, and coupling electro-Fenton with biological treatment systems to reduce energy demand and enhance nutrient removal.
5. Conclusion
The electro-Fenton process represents a highly effective advanced oxidation technology for aquaculture wastewater treatment. By generating hydroxyl radicals in situ, it achieves significant degradation of organic pollutants and partial nutrient removal, contributing to sustainable aquaculture management. Continued research and optimization of operational parameters, energy efficiency, and system integration are essential to make electro-Fenton processes widely applicable in commercial aquaculture systems.
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