Project's information

Project's title Research on proposed solutions to reduce organic and nutrient pollution generated by concentrated cage aquaculture activities in the Coastal Waters of Quang Ninh
Project’s code VAST07.05/24-25
Research hosting institution Institute of Oceanography- Hai Phong Branch
Project leader’s name TS. Le Van Nam
Project duration 01/01/2024 - 30/06/2026
Project’s budget 600.000.000 VND
Classify Grade A
Goal and objectives of the project

- Assess the current status and environmental pollution risks of coastal marine waters arising from concentrated cage aquaculture activities at several farming sites in the coastal area of Quang Ninh, based on selected organic and nutrient pollution indicators (DO, pH, COD, BOD5, TSS, TOC, NH4+, PO43-, NO3-, NO2-, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a).
- Propose solutions to mitigate organic and nutrient pollutants generated by concentrated cage aquaculture activities in the coastal area of Quang Ninh through the application of the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) model.
Main results

Theoretical results:
- The study assessed the current status and pollution risks of marine water and sediment in concentrated cage aquaculture areas along the coastal zone of Quang Ninh Province through a set of indicators representing organic and nutrient pollution. The results clearly reflect the impacts of cage aquaculture activities on marine environmental quality and the risk of eutrophication in the studied areas.
- Based on monitoring data, the study analyzed the relationships among environmental parameters of seawater and marine sediments and identified the key factors controlling water and sediment quality in aquaculture areas by applying multivariate statistical analysis methods. These results help clarify the mechanisms of generation, accumulation, and dispersion of organic and nutrient pollutants in concentrated cage aquaculture areas along the coastal zone of Quang Ninh Province.
- The study proposed solutions to mitigate organic and nutrient pollution through the application of the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) model. This approach is developed based on the natural trophic relationships among cultured organisms, thereby reutilizing wastes generated from cage fish farming, reducing pollutant loads in water and sediments, and enhancing ecological efficiency while promoting sustainable coastal aquaculture development in Quang Ninh Province.


Applied results:
- The research results provide an important scientific basis for Quang Ninh Province to develop appropriate solutions and require enterprises, organizations, individuals, and cage aquaculture households to implement measures to reduce organic and nutrient pollution in the coming period.
- The outcomes of this study can be widely applied in other localities practicing marine cage aquaculture.
Products of the project
- Scientific papers in referred journals (list):
1. Nam Le Van, Mai Luu Nguyen Thi, Nhan Dinh Van, Quan Nguyen Van, Ha Nguyen Thi Thu, Ngoc Dinh Hai, Kha Pham Thi, Thu Trang Cao Thi, Nhon Dang Hoai, Nghi Duong Thanh, Chien Hoang Thi, Ve Nguyen Dac, Hao Do Manh, Anh Tuyet Dao Thi & Sinh Le Xuan (27 Apr 2026): Assessment of Seawater Quality in Concentrated Marine Cage Aquaculture Areas in Quang Ninh (Vietnam) Using Multivariate Statistics and the Water Quality Index, Environmental Forensics, https://doi.org/10.1080/15275922.2026.2661220. Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus.
2. Dang Hoai Nhon, Phan Son Hai, Tran Duc Thanh, Bui Thi Thanh Loan, Nguyen Dac Ve, Bui Van Vuong, Nguyen Thi Mai Luu, Tran Huu Long, Pham Tien Dung, Nguyen Van Tiep, Hoang Thi Chien, Duong Thanh Nghi, Le Van Nam, Pham Thi Kha, 2025. Radioactive concentrations and natural radionuclide risks in Ha Long Bay and Ba Che Estuary sediments, Vietnam. Environ Monit Assess (2025) 197:695. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14129-9. Electronic ISSN: 1573-2959. Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus (CiteScore 2024: 5.0), SCImago (Q2).
3. Le Xuan Sinh, Le Van Nam (Corresponding Author), Nguyen Van Bach, Nguyen Thi Mai Luu, Do Manh Hao, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, 2025. The Heavy Metal Pollution Index in Seawater of the Coastal Aquaculture Zone in Quang Ninh, Vietnam. Research in Ecology. 7(2): 224 - 238. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v7i2.9806. ISSN: 2661-3379 (Online). Scopus (CiteScore year 2024: 1.3), SCImago (Q3).
4. Pham Thi Kha, Cao Thi Thu Trang, Le Van Nam, Dinh Hai Ngoc, Tran Anh Tu, 2025. Variation of carbonate buffer and air - water (CO2) flux in Ha Long Bay. Vietnam Journal of Marine Science and Technology 2025, 25(3) 321-330. p-ISSN 1859-3097; e-ISSN 2815-5904.
5. Nguyen Thi Mai Luu, Dang Hoai Nhon, Nguyen Dac Ve, Nguyen Van Quan, Duong Thanh Nghi, Hoang Thi Chien, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Bui Van Vuong, Nguyen Duc The, Le Van Nam, Nguyen Manh Ha, Nguyen Van Chien, 2025. Assessment of heavy metal pollution risk in sediments of coastal ecosystems in Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Marine Science and Technology 2025, 25(3) 355 - 371. p-ISSN 1859-3097; e-ISSN 2815-5904.
6. Le Van Nam, Nguyen Thi Mai Luu, Dinh Van Nhan, Nguyen Van Quan, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Le Xuan Sinh, 2024. Overview and proposed experimental design method based on the integrated multi-trophic aquaculture model to evaluate the effectiveness of treating organic and nutritional pollutants arising from concentrated cage aquaculture activities in Quang Ninh coastal area. Journal of Analytical Sciences (Vietnam Analytical Sciences Society), Volume 30, No. 01/2024. ISSN: 0868-3224.
7. Le Van Nam, Cao Thi Thu Trang, Bui Thi Minh Hien, Nguyen Dac Ve, Nguyen Thi Mai Luu, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Dinh Hai Ngoc, Dinh Van Nhan, 2024. Current status of cage farming in some marine areas of Quang Ninh Province. Natural Resources and Environment Magazine, No. 15 (437), August 2024. ISSN 1859-1477, Viet Nam
8. Le Van Nam, Duong Thanh Nghi, Tran Van Quy, Le Huu Tuyen, Pham Thi Minh Trang, Pham Thi Tuyet Anh, Tran Thi Bich Linh, Truong Thi Mai Ninh, Nguyen Thi Mai Luu, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Do Manh Hao, Nguyen Van Bach, Nguyen Van Quan, Le Xuan Sinh, Dao Thi Anh Tuyet, Nguyen Hong Ngoc, 2025. Assessment of Heavy Metal (As, Pb, Cd, Zn) Concentrations in the Hard Clam (Meretrix lyrata) from Selected Coastal Areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, Vietnam. VNU Journal of Science: Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 41, No. 2S (2025) 158-169. https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1094/vnuees.5421. ISSN 2615-9279; e-ISSN 2588-1094.
 
- Technological products (describe in details: technical characteristics, place):
1. Report: Current Status and Pollution Risks of the Marine Environment from Concentrated Cage Aquaculture Activities at Several Farming Sites in the Coastal Area of Quang Ninh Based on Selected Organic and Nutrient Pollution Indicators.
Archive location: Institute of Oceanography-Hai Phong Branch.
2. Report: Solutions to Reduce Organic and Nutrient Pollutants Generated by Concentrated Cage Aquaculture in the Coastal Area of Quang Ninh through the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Model.
Archive location: Institute of Oceanography-Hai Phong Branch.
Images of project
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