HDPE Geomembrane Lining for Sustainable Aquaculture Infrastructure

Project Overview

The Multipurpose Seaweed Park Project in Valamavur, Tamil Nadu is a forward-looking aquaculture initiative aimed at strengthening India’s seaweed cultivation ecosystem. Seaweed farming is increasingly being promoted by coastal development authorities and marine research bodies due to its role in coastal livelihoods, carbon sequestration, wastewater nutrient absorption, and sustainable marine resource utilisation.

A key infrastructure requirement for such projects is the creation of lined ponds and containment areas that can safely hold saline water, nutrient-rich solutions, and marine biomass without seepage or contamination of surrounding soil and groundwater. Ocean Non Wovens was entrusted with supplying and supporting the installation of high-performance geomembrane liners to ensure long-term durability, water retention, and operational efficiency of the park’s water bodies.

Materials Supplied by Ocean Non Wovens:

• Ocean HDPE Liner – 750 Micron: 6,500 SQM
• Ocean HDPE Liner – 1000 Micron: 15,100 SQM

Why Geomembrane Lining Is Critical in Seaweed Parks

Multipurpose seaweed parks are not just simple ponds. They are integrated systems involving nursery tanks, cultivation ponds, nutrient circulation zones, and water storage reservoirs. These systems demand lining materials that can withstand continuous exposure to:

• Saline and brackish water
• UV radiation in open coastal environments
• Biological growth and organic matter
• Variable water levels and hydraulic pressure

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes are widely used in aquaculture and marine applications because of their low permeability and chemical resistance. HDPE liners have a typical permeability coefficient as low as 10⁻¹³ m/s, making them practically impermeable for water containment applications . This ensures that nutrient-rich water remains within the system, improving cultivation efficiency and reducing operational water losses.

In coastal Tamil Nadu, where soil conditions can be sandy and highly permeable, unlined ponds can result in significant seepage losses. Studies in aquaculture systems indicate that seepage losses from unlined earthen ponds can reach 20–30 percent of stored water over a cultivation cycle . Proper geomembrane lining directly addresses this challenge.

Product Selection: 750 Micron vs 1000 Micron HDPE Liner

For the Valamavur project, two thickness variants of Ocean HDPE Liner were used based on functional requirements of different zones within the seaweed park.

Ocean HDPE Liner – 750 Micron

This thickness was used in controlled cultivation zones and secondary water channels where mechanical load and hydrostatic pressure were relatively lower.

Key performance benefits include:

• High flexibility for smooth installation on curved pond profiles
• Strong resistance to saltwater corrosion
• UV stabilisation suitable for open coastal exposure HDPE liners typically demonstrate UV resistance for 10 to 20 years in exposed conditions when properly stabilised .

Ocean HDPE Liner – 1000 Micron

The thicker liner was used in primary containment areas, water storage reservoirs, and zones subjected to higher water pressure and equipment movement.

Key advantages include:

• Higher puncture resistance and tensile strength
• Better long-term durability under cyclic loading
• Reduced risk of mechanical damage during operations Research in geomembrane performance shows that thicker HDPE liners offer significantly higher resistance to stress cracking and puncture, making them suitable for high-load containment structures .

Installation Considerations That Are Rarely Discussed

Most case studies focus on product supply but rarely talk about what actually determines long-term success on the ground. In aquaculture projects like seaweed parks, liner performance is influenced as much by installation quality as by material properties.

1. Subgrade Preparation

Before liner placement, the subgrade must be free from sharp stones, roots, and debris. Even a single sharp protrusion can become a puncture point over time due to hydraulic pressure and movement. Industry guidelines recommend a smooth, compacted subgrade and, where needed, a cushioning geotextile layer to enhance liner longevity .

2. Thermal Expansion and Contraction

HDPE expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations. In coastal Tamil Nadu, surface temperatures can vary significantly between morning and afternoon. If liners are installed without proper slack allowance, thermal stress can lead to wrinkling or seam stress. This aspect is often ignored in marketing brochures but plays a critical role in long-term performance.

3. Seam Welding Quality

Seam integrity is one of the most common failure points in lined water bodies. Proper hot wedge welding, air pressure testing, and visual inspection are essential. Studies show that poor seam welding accounts for a majority of liner failures in containment systems . On this project, welding parameters were carefully controlled to match liner thickness and ambient site conditions.

4. Long-Term Maintenance Reality

Another topic rarely discussed is maintenance planning. Even high-quality liners require periodic inspection for:

• UV degradation at exposed edges
• Mechanical damage from tools or equipment
• Biofouling build-up at anchor trenches Ignoring these factors can shorten the effective service life of a geomembrane system by several years.

Environmental and Operational Benefits

The use of HDPE liners in the Multipurpose Seaweed Park contributes directly to both environmental protection and operational efficiency:

• Water Conservation: Near-zero seepage helps conserve saline and treated water, reducing pumping and refill requirements.
• Soil and Groundwater Protection: Liners prevent saline intrusion into surrounding soil and groundwater, which is especially important in coastal agricultural belts.
• Improved Yield Control: Stable water quality and nutrient retention improve consistency in seaweed growth cycles.
• Reduced Contamination Risk: Liners act as a barrier against external pollutants entering the cultivation system.

Seaweed cultivation is also being promoted as a climate-positive activity, with studies suggesting that large-scale seaweed farming can play a role in carbon capture and nutrient absorption from coastal waters . Properly engineered infrastructure is essential for scaling such initiatives sustainably.

Project Impact and Learnings

The Valamavur Multipurpose Seaweed Park demonstrates how geosynthetics are becoming foundational to India’s emerging blue economy infrastructure. Beyond traditional applications like landfills and reservoirs, geomembranes are now critical in aquaculture, coastal development, and marine biotechnology projects.

One key learning from this project is that material selection must be application-specific. Using multiple liner thicknesses optimised both cost and performance. Another important insight is the need for early technical involvement of geosynthetics suppliers during design stages. When liner layout, anchoring details, and water load calculations are aligned from the start, long-term operational risks are significantly reduced.

Conclusion

The successful implementation of Ocean HDPE Liner 750 Micron (6,500 SQM) and Ocean HDPE Liner 1000 Micron (15,100 SQM) at the Multipurpose Seaweed Park Project in Valamavur, Tamil Nadu highlights the growing role of advanced geosynthetics in sustainable aquaculture infrastructure. From seepage control and environmental protection to improved operational efficiency, geomembranes form the unseen backbone of modern water-based projects.

As India continues to invest in marine and coastal development initiatives, the demand for technically sound, durable lining solutions will only increase. Projects like this set a practical benchmark for how infrastructure, sustainability, and long-term performance can be aligned through the right material choices and on-ground execution.

At Ocean Non Wovens, we go beyond supplying geosynthetics. We work closely with project stakeholders to ensure the right product selection, application-specific design support, and on-site technical guidance for every project. Whether it is aquaculture, reservoirs, landfills, canals, or coastal infrastructure, our HDPE geomembranes and geosynthetic solutions are engineered to perform in demanding Indian site conditions. If you are planning a water containment or lining project, our technical team is always available to help you design solutions that are durable, compliant, and cost-effective.