HomeCannabis MedicineWaste nutrient solutions from full-scale open hydroponic cultivation: Dynamics of effluent quality and removal of nitrogen and phosphorus using a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor

Waste nutrient solutions from full-scale open hydroponic cultivation: Dynamics of effluent quality and removal of nitrogen and phosphorus using a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor

June 3, 2023

J Environ Manage. 2021 Mar 1;281:111893. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111893. Epub 2021 Jan 9.

ABSTRACT

Hydroponic cultivation is revolutionizing agricultural crop production techniques all over the world owing to its minimal environmental footprint, enhanced pest control, and high crop yield. However, waste nutrient solutions (WNS) generated from hydroponic systems contain high concentrations of N and P; moreover, they are discharged into surface and subsurface environments, leading to eutrophication and subsequent ecosystem degradation. In this study, the nutrient concentrations in WNS from 10 hydroponic indoor tomato, capsicum, and strawberry farms (greenhouses) were monitored for up to six months. The concentrations of N and P in WNS discharged from these farms were 48.0-494.0 mg L-1 and 12.7-96.9 mg L-1, respectively, which exceeded the Korean water quality guidelines (40.0 mg L-1 N and 4.0 mg L-1 P) for effluents. These concentrations were varied and dependent on the supplied nutrient concentrations, crop types, and growth stages. In general, the concentrations of N and P were in the following order: tomato > capsicum > strawberry. High N as NO3- and P as PO43- but low organic C in WNS warrant subsequent treatment before discharge. Therefore, this study tested a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system as a potential technology for WNS treatment. The SBR system had BOD, COD, nitrate, and phosphate removal efficiency of 100, 100, 89.5, and 99.8%, respectively. In addition, the SBR system removed other cations such as Ca2+, dissolved Fe, K+, Mg2+, and Na+ and the removal efficiencies of those ions were 48, 67, 18, 14 and 15%, respectively. Lower methanol addition (0.63 mg L-1) and extended aeration (~30 min) improved SBR performance efficiency of C, N, and P removal. Thus, SBR showed significant promise as a treatment alternative to WNS pollutants originating from hydroponic systems.

PMID:33434759 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111893

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About The Author

Patrick Blanchard MD

Meet Dr. Blanchard Dr. Blanchard’s medical practice is an embodiment of Integrative health which brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Conveniently located in sunny Florida and over the internet with ValiseMD’s secure HIPPA compliant telXmed servers. Since 1994, patients with a wide range of challenging medical problems have achieved optimum health using the best of natural medicine, judiciously combined with high-tech innovations. Breakthroughs are often achieved even after patients have consulted mainstream specialists and holistic practitioners. Dr. Blanchard is founder and CEO of ValiseMD, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine since 1994 and awarded Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2001. He received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award from the University of Kansas School of Medicine at completion of his residency in Family Medicine. He completed a fellowship at Wake Forest University in the field of vascular neurosonology. He holds a medical patent in the field of Gastroenterology. He holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Florida. He started his medical career as a Emergency Medical Technician, then as a Paramedic and later a Medical Doctor.