Final answer:
Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, where fish waste provides nutrients for plants grown in water without soil, and the plants filter and purify the water for the fish, creating a sustainable closed-loop farming system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aquaponics is a sustainable method of agriculture that combines aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (soilless plant cultivation) into a single integrated system. In this system, fish waste provides an organic nutrient source for the plants. In turn, the plants filter and purify the water, which is then recirculated back to the fish tanks. This creates a symbiotic environment where both plants and fish can thrive.
The process begins when fish produce waste material, which is broken down by nitrogen-fixing bacteria into nitrates and other nutrients that plants can absorb. The water-nutrient solution, which is now rich in nitrates, is pumped into the grow beds where it is utilized by the plants for growth. The plants, through their roots, help to filter and clean the water, which is then returned to the fish tanks. The cycling of water in aquaponics is a closed-loop system, which conserves water and eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, making it an eco-friendly approach to farming.