Evaluation Of Woodchip Bioditch Reactors as a Nutrient Reduction Conservation Strategy

Author

Geoffrey K. Payne, Arkansas State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

2-9-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology, MS

First Advisor

Jerry Farris

Committee Members

Matthew Moore; Virginie Rolland

Call Number

LD 251 .A566t 2022 P39

Abstract

Continued increases in nitrogen and phosphorus loads in waterways cause problems with water quality, impacting human health, the economy, and the environment. To reach nutrient load reduction targets, innovative conservation strategies should be evaluated. This study aimed to assess (1) the potential of using woodchip bioditch reactors for the mitigation of nitrate (NO3-) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in agricultural waterways; (2) the influence of orientation of the bioditch reactor to flow direction on NO3- and SRP concentrations and loads; and (3) the impact that differing wet/dry cycles have on NO3- and SRP concentrations and loads when bioditch reactors are present. Woodchip bioditch reactors successfully reduced NO3- compared to controls in mesocosms, but SRP was sometimes higher in bioditch reactor treatments. No differences were identified with orientation of bioditch reactors to flow direction. The wet/dry cycle of bioditch reactors had a significant impact on the amount of NO3- reduction.

Rights Management

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Payne, Geoffrey K., "Evaluation Of Woodchip Bioditch Reactors as a Nutrient Reduction Conservation Strategy" (2023). Student Theses and Dissertations. 223.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/223