Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 473
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 473 – PASSAGE – 3
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 473
READING PASSAGE – 3
AQUAPONICS
Aquaponics is a cooperation between plants and fish and the term originates from the two words aquaculture (the growing of fish in a closed environment) and hydroponics (the growing of plants usually in a soil-less environment). It uses these two in a symbiotic combination in which plants are fed the aquatic animals’ discharge or waste.
In return, the vegetables clean the water that goes back to the fish. Along with the fish and their waste, microbes play an important role to the nutrition of the plants. These beneficial bacteria gather in the spaces between the roots of the plant and converts the fish waste and the solids into substances the plants can use to grow. The result is a perfect collaboration between aquaculture and gardening.
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Aquaponics consists of two main parts, with the aquaculture part for raising aquatic animals and the hydroponics part for growing plants. Aquatic effluents, resulting from uneaten feed or raising animals like fish, accumulate in water due to the closed- system recirculation of most aquaculture systems. The effluent-rich water becomes toxic to the aquatic animal in high concentrations but this contains nutrients essential for plant growth. Although consisting primarily of these two parts, aquaponics systems are usually grouped into several components or subsystems responsible for the effective removal of solid wastes, for adding bases to neutralize acids, or for maintaining water oxygenation. Typical components include:
Rearing tank. the tanks for raising and feeding the fish, Settling basin: a unit for catching uneaten food and detached biofilms, and for settling out fine particulates, a Biofilter: a place where the nitrification bacteria can grow and convert ammonia into nitrates, which are usable by the plants, Hydroponics subsystem: the portion of the system where plants are grown by absorbing excess nutrients from the water, Sump: the lowest point in the system where the water flows to and from which it is pumped back to the rearing tanks.
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Depending on the sophistication and cost of the aquaponics system, the units for solids removal, biofiltration, and/or the hydroponics subsystem may be combined into one unit or subsystem, which prevents the water from flowing directly from the aquaculture part of the system to the hydroponics part. By utilizing gravel or sand as plant supporting medium, solids are captured and the medium has enough surface area for fixed-film nitrification. The ability to combine biofiltration and hydroponics allows for aquaponic system, in many cases, to eliminate the need for an expensive, separate biofilter.
Aquaponics is a big hope for sustainable organic crop production, aquaculture and water consumption. The fish waste is recycled and used for plant growth instead of throwing it in the ocean. The water is recirculated in a closed system lowering the consumption of this resource. In a small aquaponic based garden you can grow vegetables that don’t need heavy nutrient input. Lettuce, kale, watercress, arugula, decorative flowers, mint, herbs, okras, spring onions and leek, radishes, spinach and other small vegetables.
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From a nutritional standpoint, aquaponics provides food in the form of both protein (from the fish) and vegetables. It can be used on non-arable lands such as deserts, degraded soil or salty, sandy islands, it creates little waste, as it mimics nature’s circular approach.
On a flip side, Aquaponics requires deep expertise in the natural world. In order to be successful, farmers need to have knowledge not only on growing vegetables but also on how fish and bacteria work and technical skills regarding plumbing or wiring are also needed plus the initial start-up costs are high. Secondly, pH is an important part of aquaculture. Setting it to a perfect level can be a bit confusing since there are three living organisms to care for- plants, fish and the bacteria inside the water and each of them has a different pH requirement. So, it becomes very important to monitor the pH level every day and to keep it within the neutral range.
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Questions 28-35
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
Write the correct answer in boxes 28-35 on your answer sheet.
TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this
28. The efficient-rich water is good for both fish and the plants
29. Fish and its waste can suffice the nutritional requirement of the plant
30. Fish waste is not thrown in the ocean but recycled
31. Aquaponics provide both vegetarian and non-vegetarian source of protein
32. Initial investment is required for setting up an aquaponic plant
33. Funding and investment options are provided at subsidised rates for aquaponics
34. Plants and fish are responsible for imbalance in pH of water
35. Once the pH is disturbed, the water is thrown away
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Questions 36-40
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D
36. What is the reason for not installing a separate biofilter in aquaponic system?
A. It is way too expensive
B. It consumes extra electricity compared to the traditional system
C. It is not easily available in the market
D. it can be replaced by a combination of biofilter and hydroponic
37. What leads to disturbance in pH level of water?
A. Fish waste collected in water
B. Excessive nitrogen from plants
C. Chemical reaction by microbial actions
D. Fish, plant and microbes combined
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38. Vegetables like lettuce, spring onion and leeks can be grown in a small aquaponic because-
A. They can survive in toxic conditions
B. They help balance the pH level
C. Their nutritional requirement is less
D. The are adaptable to the ecosystem
39. Why are aquaponics divided into subsystems?
A. To maintain oxygen levels, neutralise acids and add bases.
B. For easy maintenance and supervision
C. Divided depending on their size and cost
D. To remove the toxins easily from the water
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40. How do microbes help in balancing the aquaponic ecosystem?
A. By acting as a food source for the fish
B. By converting fish waste into essential nutrients
C. By sticking to the base of the filter
D. By regulation the oxygen supply in the system
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ANSWERS
28. FALSE
29. FALSE
30. TRUE
31. TRUE
32. TRUE
33. NOT GIVEN
34. FALSE
35. NOT GIVEN
36. D
37. D
38. C
39. A
40. B
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