Treatment of Eutrophication via Hydroponic Production of Commercial Crops
Type of Presentation
Poster
Type of Project
Project I/II
Presenter 1 Program
ENVS
Presenter 1 Location
326 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA
Project Description
Eutrophication caused by artificial nutrient loading poses a threat to various ecosystems and the services humans require of them for survival. Of the current methods for combating eutrophication, all have complications that prevent widespread use, be it cost, secondary pollution or limited application. Phytoremediation has been analyzed as a potential alternative solution to eutrophication with generally positive results as it can sequester nutrients into a crop thereby removing excess nutrients from the water. Research into phytoremediation via commercial crops grown in a hydroponic setting is lacking, and so this research sought to form an initial exploration into the viability of this alternative. Two sets of three miniature recirculating hydroponic systems were created under similar conditions with simulated eutrophic water of initial nitrate concentrations of approximately 6.7mg/L (trial 1) and 42.9mg/L (trial 2). Bibb lettuce was germinated in rockwool and added only to the experimental systems, whereas the control system contained only the rockwool growing media. Samples were collected weekly for spectrophotometry analysis of nitrogen while pH and electrical conductivity were collected three times per week via probes. In the first trial, the nitrate levels were lower (p
Faculty Member
Rachel Fogle
Treatment of Eutrophication via Hydroponic Production of Commercial Crops
Eutrophication caused by artificial nutrient loading poses a threat to various ecosystems and the services humans require of them for survival. Of the current methods for combating eutrophication, all have complications that prevent widespread use, be it cost, secondary pollution or limited application. Phytoremediation has been analyzed as a potential alternative solution to eutrophication with generally positive results as it can sequester nutrients into a crop thereby removing excess nutrients from the water. Research into phytoremediation via commercial crops grown in a hydroponic setting is lacking, and so this research sought to form an initial exploration into the viability of this alternative. Two sets of three miniature recirculating hydroponic systems were created under similar conditions with simulated eutrophic water of initial nitrate concentrations of approximately 6.7mg/L (trial 1) and 42.9mg/L (trial 2). Bibb lettuce was germinated in rockwool and added only to the experimental systems, whereas the control system contained only the rockwool growing media. Samples were collected weekly for spectrophotometry analysis of nitrogen while pH and electrical conductivity were collected three times per week via probes. In the first trial, the nitrate levels were lower (p