Wastewater is a viable medium for growing lettuce in hydroponic systems

-

 


        Urban agriculture has the potential to improve food security through local, efficient, and sustainable food production. Examples of urban food systems include hydroponics, where plants grow in a nutrient solution without soil, and aquaponics, which combines hydroponics with raising fish in tanks.A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines the use of aquaponics wastewater as a growth medium for lettuce in a hydroponic system. This practice can potentially create a circular ecosystem for organic waste recycling and food production.The researchers tested effluent from two aquaponic systems in combination with liquid residual from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), an emerging technology that converts wet biomass to biocrude oil through a high-temperature, high-pressure process. HTL yields a wastewater called hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase (HTL-AP), which is rich in nutrients and can potentially be used as fertilizer.

    "We wanted to see if the naturally occurring microbes from fish waste in aquaponic systems could help convert the nutrients in HTL-AP into forms that plants can absorb. We focused on using wastewater for lettuce seed germination. Eventually, we'll observe different stages of crop growth, including full-grown lettuce and other crops," said lead author Liam Reynolds, a doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE), part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and The Grainger College of Engineering at Illinois.

    Reynolds conducted the research as an undergraduate student in ABE. He won second place for the paper in the K.K. Barnes Student Paper Award Competition at the 2023 American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting in Omaha, NE.

    For the study, Reynolds placed Buttercrunch lettuce seeds in Ziploc plastic bags on paper towels saturated with the wastewater treatments for 10 days, measuring seed germination rate and growth.He tested 32 trial solutions combining different percentages of HTL-AP with wastewater from aquaponic systems at the U. of I.'s Bevier Café and the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. The trials also included standard hydroponic fertilizer and deionized water as control solutions.

    "We've previously shown that it's possible to grow lettuce hydroponically using treated wastewater; however, it doesn't grow as quickly and effectively as it could. There are likely to be some toxic compounds inhibiting plant growth, and there are also not enough nutrients in a plant-available form," said co-author Paul Davidson, an associate professor in ABE.In earlier studies, Davidson's research team used 2.5% HTL-AP; however, Reynolds tested solutions ranging from 1% to 10%.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Japan’s Innovative Approach to Artificial Intelligence Legislation

-
Image
  Japan introduced law aimed at encouraging artificial intelligence (AI) research and development. This legislation, known as the Act on the Promotion of Research, Development and Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies, seeks to position Japan as a leader in the global AI landscape. The law diverges from stringent regulatory frameworks like the European Union’s AI Act, instead promoting an innovation-driven environment. Key Features of Japan’s AI Law The Act establishes an Artificial Intelligence Strategy Headquarters under the Cabinet. This body is responsible for formulating a national Basic Plan for AI. The plan encompasses foundational research, industrial deployment, international collaboration, and public education. The law avoids rigid regulatory frameworks and focuses on enabling innovation and encouraging cooperation among stakeholders. Comparison with the European Union’s AI Act In contrast to Japan’s approach, the EU’s AI Act employs a risk-based cl...
Read more

EMM-Negative Blood Group System

-
Image
  The International Society of Blood Transfusion officially recognised a new blood group system named EMM-negative, also known as Gwada negative. This designation emerged from the unique case of a woman from Guadeloupe who is the only known individual to possess this rare blood type. The discovery puts stress on advancements in transfusion medicine and genetic research. What is Gwada Negative? Gwada negative refers to the EMM-negative blood group system, identified by the absence of the EMM antigen on red blood cells. This antigen is a high-incidence antigen, present in almost all humans. The lack of such a common antigen is medically and has led to the classification of this blood type as the 48th globally recognised system in transfusion science. Discovery Process The identification of the EMM-negative blood type began in 2011 when the woman underwent routine blood tests. Initial attempts to classify her blood were inconclusive due to the lack of technology. In 2019, advancement...
Read more

Non-Binary AI Chip

-
Image
  China has made leap in artificial intelligence with the deployment of non-binary AI chips. This advancement comes from Professor Li Hongge’s team at Beihang University. They have developed a novel computing approach called Hybrid Stochastic Number (HSN) computing. This innovation aims to address critical limitations in conventional computing. About Hybrid Stochastic Number Computing Hybrid Stochastic Number computing merges traditional binary logic with probabilistic logic. Binary systems operate on precise calculations using 1s and 0s, which are energy-intensive. In contrast, stochastic computing uses voltage signal frequencies to represent values, resulting in lower power consumption but often slower performance. The HSN system combines these approaches to achieve a balance of energy efficiency and computational reliability. Addressing Key Limitations in Conventional Chips Two major limitations challenge conventional chips – the power wall and the architecture wall. The power ...
Read more