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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426234
Research Project: Smart Optical Sensing of Food Hazards and Elimination of Non-Nitrofurazone Semicarbazide in Poultry

Location: Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit

Title: Poultryponics: treating poultry slaughterhouse wastewater for the cultivation of hydroponic lettuce

Author
item HIGGINS, BRENDAN - Auburn University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2024
Publication Date: 8/11/2024
Citation: Higgins, B.T. Invited Keynote Address. 2024. Poultryponics: treating poultry slaughterhouse wastewater for the cultivation of hydroponic lettuce. International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability. Shanghai, China (remote presentation). 8/9/24-8/11/24.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The US poultry industry generates over $500 billion in economic impact along with 253 billion liters of wastewater. This water is food grade and is rich in nutrients required for plant growth (N&P) but is also contaminated with pathogens. Here we constructed and tested a pilot scale treatment system for poultry processing wastewater and ran it continuously for over 200 days. Two parallel treatment trains were tested: one that used bacterial bioreactors and the other with illuminated algal-bacterial bioreactors. Following the reactors were clarifiers, bag filters, and UV disinfection before the water entered a deep water hydroponic grow bed. Four lettuce campaigns were conducted for 30-40 days each with four experimental treatments: control hydroponic solution, effluent from the bacterial treatment train, effluent from the algal treatment train, and effluent from the algal train supplemented with nutrients to equal those of the control. The results showed that lettuce grown on effluent from both treatment trains had about half the yield of the control. However, this deficit could be completely eliminated with supplementation, indicating that the wastewater itself is not inhibitory. Furthermore, none of the grow beds tested positive for E. coli, Salmonella, or Campylobacter pathogens, demonstrating the viability of this system.