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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #352721
Title: Can woodchip bioreactors meet WQ goals by denitrifier enhancement or carbon dosing?

Author
item Feyereisen, Gary
item ISHII, SATOSHI - University Of Minnesota
item WANG, PING - University Of Minnesota
item ANDERSON, EMILY - University Of Minnesota
item JANG, PING - University Of Minnesota
item GHANE, EHSAN - University Of Minnesota
item SCHMACHER, SCOTT - University Of Minnesota
item ROSEN, CARL - University Of Minnesota
item SADOWSKY, MICHAEL - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/29/2018
Publication Date: 8/1/2018
Citation: Feyereisen, G.W., Ishii, S., Wang, P., Anderson, E., Jang, P., Ghane, E., Schmacher, S., Rosen, C., Sadowsky, M. 2018. Can woodchip bioreactors meet WQ goals by denitrifier enhancement or carbon dosing?. Meeting Abstract. July 29-August 1, 2018, Detroit, Michigan.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: By-pass flow and cold temperatures limit nitrate load reductions in woodchip bioreactors in northern climates. This field study was conducted to improve bioreactor performance during cool, springtime temperatures by additions of either cold-adapted denitrifier strains (bioaugmentation) or a readily available carbon source (biostimulation). These effects were investigated at a replicated bioreactor site on a private farm near Willmar, Minnesota. Results from 2017 show that biostimulation dramatically reduces nitrate outlet concentrations, but stimulates biofouling of the bed, which restricts flow. The nutrient removal corresponds to an increase in nosZ gene abundance for the biostimulation treatment. Two denitrifier strains were introduced in 2016 and 2017 with mixed results. Laboratory selection continues with inoculation with a third strain planned for early spring 2018. Also in spring of 2018, changes to the location of introduction of the carbon source along the bioreactor bed are planned in an effort to control biofouling. The anticipated outcome of this research is a technology that substantially improves the nitrate removal effectiveness of woodchip bioreactors.