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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Leetown, West Virginia » Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #342477
Research Project: Developing and Refining Technologies for Sustainable Fish Growth in Closed Containment Systems

Location: Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research

Title: Woodchip bioreactors effectively treat aquaculture effluent

Author
item LEPINE, CHRISTINE - Freshwater Institute
item CHRISTIANSON, LAURA - University Of Illinois
item SHARRER, KATA - Freshwater Institute
item SUMMERFELT, STEVEN - Freshwater Institute

Submitted to: Aquacultuur
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2016
Publication Date: 3/22/2017
Citation: Lepine, C., Christianson, L.E., Sharrer, K.L., Summerfelt, S.T. 2017. Woodchip bioreactors effectively treat aquaculture effluent. Aquacultuur. 32(1):27-31.

Interpretive Summary: Nutrients, in particular nitrogen and phosphorus, can create eutrophication problems in any watershed. Preventing water quality impairment requires controlling nutrients from both point-source and non-point source discharges. Woodchip bioreactors are one relatively new approach that can be utilized for both applications. Four pilot-scale bioreactors treating point-source aquacultural wastewater were evaluated over varying hydraulic retention times for nitrate removal efficiency, phosphorus leaching and/or uptake, and clogging potential of the woodchip media. Woodchip bioreactors demonstrate considerable potential over other denitrification technologies due to their small ecological footprint, low energy requirements, enhancement of a natural treatment process, engineered designs to meet specific water quality guidelines, and relatively low installation and maintenance costs.

Technical Abstract: Nutrients, in particular nitrogen and phosphorus, can create eutrophication problems in any watershed. Preventing water quality impairment requires controlling nutrients from both point-source and non-point source discharges. Woodchip bioreactors are one relatively new approach that can be utilized for both applications. Four pilot-scale bioreactors treating point-source aquacultural wastewater were evaluated. Woodchip bioreactors demonstrate considerable potential over other denitrification technologies due to their small ecological footprint, low energy requirements, enhancement of a natural treatment process, engineered designs to meet specific water quality guidelines, and relatively low installation and maintenance costs.