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Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture
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Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 22033

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Wojciech Janczukowicz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Warszawska 117, 10-950 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: wastewater treatment using reactors with attached biomass; wastewater treatment from agriculture and the agri-food industry; the use of an external carbon source in the processes of dephosphatization and denitrification in reactors with suspended and fixed biomass; the impact of projects on the environment; environmental management systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Joanna Rodziewicz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Warszawska 117 10-950 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: electrochemical and electrobiological wastewater treatment in reactors with biofilm and suspended biomass; biofilm contactors and biofilter application for phosphorus and nitrogen removal from specific wastewater; treatment of wastewater from soilless plant cultivation and de-icing airports pavements
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing population worldwide creates the need for very efficient food production. Modern agriculture, including crop cultivation, livestock production systems and aquaculture, are associated with the significant use of environmental resources (e.g., water and nutrients) and a growing impact on the natural environment (e.g., eutrophication, soil fertility reduction and soil contamination). This can be reduced by using modern technologies for plant cultivation, the sustainable management of water and wastewater and the use of new technologies for wastewater treatment, wastewater reuse and nutrient recovery. This must be accompanied by intensive monitoring of the state of the natural environment to protect it and to enable sustainable development. The main goal of all of these activities is sustainable agriculture.

This Special Issue will present new advancements in agriculture water and wastewater management and aquaculture environmental engineering, and will discuss, among others, the following issues: the design and operation of new technological solutions in water and wastewater treatment applied in agriculture and aquaculture, the treatment of drainage waters from farmlands containing nutrients, the rational use of slurry to fertilize fields and examples of good practices of water and wastewater management.

Prof. Dr. Wojciech Janczukowicz
Prof. Dr. Joanna Rodziewicz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agriculture and aquaculture
  • cultivating plants and livestock production systems
  • irrigation and fertilization
  • water and wastewater management
  • soilless and hydroponic plant cultivation
  • wastewater treatment
  • wastewater reuse
  • nutrient recovery
  • environmental impact
  • good practices of water and wastewater management

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

9 pages, 212 KiB  
Editorial
Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture
by Wojciech Janczukowicz and Joanna Rodziewicz
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(6), 2488; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14062488 - 15 Mar 2024
Viewed by 786
Abstract
The growing world population requires highly efficient food production methods [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

20 pages, 3533 KiB  
Article
The Use of Rapeseed Husks to Remove Acidic and Basic Dyes from Aquatic Solutions
by Tomasz Jóźwiak and Urszula Filipkowska
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14031174 - 30 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 614
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the possibility of using rapeseed husks (RH) as an unconventional sorbent for removing acidic (AR18, AY23) and basic (BR46, BV10) dyes from aqueous solutions. Its scope included, i.a.: sorbent characterization (FTIR, pHPZC), determination of pH effect [...] Read more.
This study aimed to identify the possibility of using rapeseed husks (RH) as an unconventional sorbent for removing acidic (AR18, AY23) and basic (BR46, BV10) dyes from aqueous solutions. Its scope included, i.a.: sorbent characterization (FTIR, pHPZC), determination of pH effect on dye sorption effectiveness (pH 2–11), analysis of dye sorption kinetics (pseudo-first order model, pseudo-second order model, intraparticular diffusion model), and the determination of the maximum sorption capacity (Langmuir 1 and 2, and Freundlich isotherms). The sorption effectiveness of acidic dyes (AR18, AY23) onto RH was the highest at pH = 2, whereas that of the basic dyes BR46 and BV10 was most effective at pH = 6 and pH = 3, respectively. The time needed to reach the sorption equilibrium of dyes onto RH depended on their initial concentration and ranged from 120 to 150 min for the acidic dyes and from 150 to 180 min for the basic dyes. The maximum sorption capacity (Qmax) of RH towards AR18 and AY23 was 49.37 mg/g and 41.52 mg/g, respectively, and towards BR46 and BV10 it was 59.07 mg/g and 20.93 mg/g, respectively. The obtained Qmax values were compared with the results achieved for other sorbents (literature data). This comparison demonstrated that the sorption capacity of rapeseed husks towards the analyzed dyes was higher compared to that of some types of activated carbons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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20 pages, 3042 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Radiation Situation and the Presence of Heavy Metals in the Soil in the Poleski National Park
by Karol Wojtkowski, Małgorzata Wojtkowska, Magdalena Długosz-Lisiecka and Agata Walczak
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(21), 11699; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132111699 - 26 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 724
Abstract
The aim of the research in the Poleski National Park was to determine the concentration of radionuclides and heavy metals in the soil and to evaluate the absorbed dose and the average annual effective dose as a result of external exposure to ground-based [...] Read more.
The aim of the research in the Poleski National Park was to determine the concentration of radionuclides and heavy metals in the soil and to evaluate the absorbed dose and the average annual effective dose as a result of external exposure to ground-based radiation sources. The spread of anthropogenic radionuclide concentration in the Poleski National Park was the highest. This is a first-of-its-kind study in Poland. The annual effective dose calculated for the Poleski National Park was over three times higher than the average worldwide value. Soil samples were subjected to mineralization using a TITAN MPS with a rotor. Subsequently, the metals in the obtained solutions were determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry method with flame atomization (AAS FM). The content of copper Cu, nickel Ni, lead Pb, cadmium Cd, and chromium Cr did exceed the average content neither in Europe nor around the world. The soils of the Poleski National Park are characterized by pollution with the tested heavy metals, especially cadmium Cd. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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17 pages, 3482 KiB  
Article
Removal of Metals and Dyes in Water Using Low-Cost Agro-Industrial Waste Materials
by Candelaria Tejada-Tovar, Ángel Villabona-Ortíz and Rodrigo Ortega-Toro
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(14), 8481; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148481 - 22 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1436
Abstract
The pollution of water bodies due to the discharge of effluents without treatment is a global problem. Therefore, different technologies have been implemented for the removal of contaminants from wastewater before the final disposition. Among them, adsorption processes using residual biomasses are becoming [...] Read more.
The pollution of water bodies due to the discharge of effluents without treatment is a global problem. Therefore, different technologies have been implemented for the removal of contaminants from wastewater before the final disposition. Among them, adsorption processes using residual biomasses are becoming very popular due to the low cost and high availability of adsorbents. Thus, in the present work, the synthesis of modified biochar from agro-industrial residues derived from the wheat-processing industry, as a valorization alternative of these residues, for its use in the removal of Cr (VI) and methylene blue (MB) has been analyzed. The biochar was prepared using a ramp function of 5 °C/min until 250 °C for 30 min. The adsorption tests were developed in a batch system, using 30 mg of adsorbent in 10 mL of solution. From SEM analysis, the formation of tubular cavities and porous structure was seen, caused by the basic hydrolysis with KOH. From adsorption tests, an adsorption capacity of 12.98 mg/g and 97.38% of efficiency for MB at pH 10 was noted, while for Cr (VI), it was 11.35 mg/g and 85.15% at pH 2. Freundlich’s model adjusted the adsorption equilibrium data with R2 > 0.9. The maximum adsorption capacities in the monolayer were 186,375 mg/g and 90.723 mg/g for Cr (VI) and MB, according to Langmuir’s model. From a kinetic study, it can be said that the process occurs by chemisorption through electrostatic interaction and ionic interchange between adsorbate and adsorbent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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17 pages, 3935 KiB  
Article
The Use of Exoskeletons and Molts of Farmed Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) for the Removal of Reactive Dyes from Aqueous Solutions
by Tomasz Jóźwiak, Urszula Filipkowska and Tadeusz Bakuła
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(13), 7379; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137379 - 21 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 829
Abstract
The study aim was to test the applicability of exoskeletons and molts from mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) cultures as sorbents for anionic dyes: Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Reactive Yellow (RY84). Factors investigated included: characteristics of sorbents (FTIR, pHPZC), the [...] Read more.
The study aim was to test the applicability of exoskeletons and molts from mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) cultures as sorbents for anionic dyes: Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Reactive Yellow (RY84). Factors investigated included: characteristics of sorbents (FTIR, pHPZC), the influence of pH on sorption efficiency, sorption kinetics (pseudo-first, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion models), and determination of the maximum sorption capacity (Langmuir 1, Langmuir 2, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models). The sorption efficiency of anionic dyes on the tested sorbents was the highest at pH 2. The time needed to reach the sorption equilibrium for both dyes was 120–150 min. The sorption kinetics of the dyes were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. Maximum sorption capacity data showed the best fit to Langmuir 2 isotherm, suggesting that at least two types of sorption centers played an important role in dye sorption. Presumably, for both of the tested sorbents, the active sites in question were protonated amine (-NH3+), acetamide (NH2COCH3+), and hydroxyl groups (-OH2+) of chitin and protein. The maximum RB5 and RY84 sorption capacity of the tested sorbents was 78.70 mg/g and 60.49 mg/g, respectively, for mealworm exoskeletons, as well as 55.72 mg/g and 44.25 mg/g, respectively, for mealworm molts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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22 pages, 2684 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Rainwater Quality Regarding Its Use in the Roztocze National Park (Poland)—Case Study
by Tadeusz Grabowski, Krzysztof Jóźwiakowski, Andrzej Bochniak, Przemysław Stachyra and Bogusław Radliński
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(10), 6110; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13106110 - 16 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1522
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the quality of rainwater and the possibility of using it for various purposes in the Roztocze National Park (RNP), Poland. This study was carried out in 2021–2022. Samples of rainwater that drained from the roofs [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to determine the quality of rainwater and the possibility of using it for various purposes in the Roztocze National Park (RNP), Poland. This study was carried out in 2021–2022. Samples of rainwater that drained from the roofs of farm buildings in the RNP were tested for their organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological qualities. The organoleptic tests were run to evaluate the water for a foreign odour and the threshold odour number. The physical and chemical tests included turbidity; colour; pH; conductivity; concentrations of ammonium ions, nitrates, nitrites, manganese, iron and chlorides; and general hardness. The microbiological tests included total microbial counts at 36 °C and 22 °C, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The rainwater quality results were compared with the quality parameters of surface water collected from the River Świerszcz, as well as with the Polish drinking water standards. The findings indicated that rainwater collected in the RNP had good organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological properties, which, in some cases, complied with the standards for potable water. Exceedances of the permissible limits, mainly for ammonium ions and microbiological indicators, were periodically observed in the tested rainwater. This was probably due to contamination of roof surfaces with bird droppings. However, these exceedances did not exclude the use of the rainwater for economic purposes, e.g., flushing toilets, washing vehicles or watering plants, which may significantly reduce the abstraction of high-quality groundwater. The rainwater that is planned to be used as drinking water for the Polish konik horses living in the park will have to be pre-treated via filtration and disinfection processes (e.g., with a UV lamp). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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16 pages, 2317 KiB  
Article
Possibilities of Improving Water Quality of Degraded Lake Affected by Nutrient Overloading from Agricultural Sources by the Multi-Point Aeration Technique
by Michał Łopata, Jolanta Katarzyna Grochowska, Renata Augustyniak-Tunowska and Renata Tandyrak
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 2861; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13052861 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1394
Abstract
This research concerns the restoration of the strongly eutrophied Lake Łajskie (Masurian Lake District, Poland) that received pollutants from the agricultural catchment. It is a shallow (max depth 7.4 m) and small (area 48 ha) reservoir with a wide profundal zone characterized by [...] Read more.
This research concerns the restoration of the strongly eutrophied Lake Łajskie (Masurian Lake District, Poland) that received pollutants from the agricultural catchment. It is a shallow (max depth 7.4 m) and small (area 48 ha) reservoir with a wide profundal zone characterized by complete deoxidation in summer. Due to its important natural and social role, the lake has undergone a restoration process. Artificial oxygenation is the main method of improving water quality. Due to unfavorable morphometric conditions, the necessity to use multi-point aeration was assumed. An experimental installation based on eight reactors selectively oxygenating only the over-bottom waters was launched in 2019. In 2021, spatial studies of the effectiveness of aerators’ work were carried out at 96 measuring points grouped into 12-test fields around each reactor. The investigations were performed three times during the summer season. It was shown that, in the water of the deepest layers of Lake Łajskie, the oxygen concentration around all reactors increased to an average level of 1–2 mg L−1. The oxygenation efficiency was varied and related to the distance from the aerator and the location in relation to the direction of oxygenated water outflow. The results of the research indicate the legitimacy of designing multi-point oxygenation systems in the restoration of waterbodies degraded as a result of the impact of agriculturally transformed catchments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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18 pages, 4472 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of P Adsorption by Profundal Bottom Deposits of Kortowskie Lake (Poland), Restored by the Hypolimnetic Withdrawal Method
by Renata Augustyniak-Tunowska, Rafał Karczmarczyk, Michał Łopata, Jolanta Grochowska, Jacek Tunowski and Renata Tandyrak
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1861; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031861 - 31 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1051
Abstract
Phosphorus is a key factor controlling eutrophication processes. Out of all the parts of the lake ecosystem, the biggest pool of this element (more than 90%) is stored in the surficial layers of bottom sediment. Hence, the bottom sediment’s ability to trap and [...] Read more.
Phosphorus is a key factor controlling eutrophication processes. Out of all the parts of the lake ecosystem, the biggest pool of this element (more than 90%) is stored in the surficial layers of bottom sediment. Hence, the bottom sediment’s ability to trap and release P is very important in analyzing a lake ecosystem’s function, particularly when the lake is subjected to restoration. Studies were carried out on Lake Kortowskie (87.2 ha in area, maximum depth 17.2 m), restored in 1956 using the hypolimnetic withdrawal method. The sediment cores were taken at two research stations—experimental (max. depth 17.2 m) and control (max. depth 15.7 m). Experiments were made in laboratory conditions. The results showed that phosphorus adsorption in the bottom deposits of Lake Kortowskie was multilayered. The Freundlich, BET, and Freundlich-Langmuir adsorption models best fit the experimental data. Adsorption isotherms were concave, suggesting that P adsorption effectiveness is higher for higher P concentrations in ambient water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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13 pages, 1787 KiB  
Article
Moringa oleifera Lam. as a Bioflocculant for Harvesting Microalgae Grown on Agricultural Wastewaters for Feed Production
by Merve Konucu, Dilek Tekdal, Elif Eker Develi, Erik Meers and Marcella Fernandes de Souza
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(24), 12968; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122412968 - 16 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1768
Abstract
Harvesting impacts the costs of microalgae production and affects the characteristics of the final product. Therefore, this study evaluated Moringa oleifera seed powder (MP) as a bioflocculant compared to two chemicals (Aluminium Sulphate—AS and Iron Chloride—IC) to harvest a mixed microalgae culture ( [...] Read more.
Harvesting impacts the costs of microalgae production and affects the characteristics of the final product. Therefore, this study evaluated Moringa oleifera seed powder (MP) as a bioflocculant compared to two chemicals (Aluminium Sulphate—AS and Iron Chloride—IC) to harvest a mixed microalgae culture (Chlorella vulgaris and Desmodesmus sp.) grown on digestate. MP was the most stable flocculant but resulted in the lowest harvesting efficiency of 75%, compared to 94% for AS and 100% for IC. Process parameters such as pH, duration of mixing, grinding method for obtaining the powder, and granulometry had no significant effect on the harvesting efficiency of MP, reinforcing that this is a robust flocculant. The use of a water extraction step increased the harvesting efficiency of MP to 91%, albeit with the need for a higher dosage of flocculant. The algae harvested with MP complied with maximum tolerable levels for swine, cattle, and poultry regarding most trace elements. Nevertheless, all algae samples had Fe and Al contents above the recommended levels, possibly due to the entrapment of metal-rich digestate particles. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the final composition of algae when proposing flocculation as a harvesting method for feed production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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14 pages, 2063 KiB  
Article
Changes in Soil Biological Properties after Sewage Sludge and Pesticide Application in Wheat Cultivation
by Urszula Wydro, Magdalena Jankowska, Elżbieta Wołejko, Paweł Kondzior, Bożena Łozowicka, Piotr Kaczyński, Joanna Rodziewicz, Wojciech Janczukowicz, Anna Pietryczuk, Adam Cudowski and Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11452; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211452 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1618
Abstract
One of the solutions implemented in order to improve the quality of soils exposed to pesticides is the application of sewage sludge, which is a by-product of wastewater treatment. As an organic substrate, it provides soil with important nutrients, such as nitrogen and [...] Read more.
One of the solutions implemented in order to improve the quality of soils exposed to pesticides is the application of sewage sludge, which is a by-product of wastewater treatment. As an organic substrate, it provides soil with important nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and enriches it with organic matter, thanks to which it can be a valuable fertilizer. The aim of the presented research was to evaluate the influence of granulated sewage sludge (GSS) on the biological properties of soil treated with herbicides (MCPA and dicamba) and fungicides (thiophanate-methyl and azoxystrobin). The following aspects were investigated: the activity of selected soil enzymes, the genetic biodiversity of bacteria and fungi, and the abundance of the bacterial gene responsible for ammonia oxidation. A field experiment was conducted, in which granulated sewage sludge (GSS) was applied to soil at a single dose of 3 t/ha. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was sown on the prepared plots. The herbicides (H) and fungicides (F) as well as their mixture (F + H) were applied to the plants in the appropriate growth phases in the doses recommended by the producer. The control was soil without sewage sludge (C). The samples taken were tested for: dehydrogenases, catalases and urease activities, genetic biodiversity structure of bacteria and fungi by TRFLP assay, and the abundance of the bacterial amoA gene by qPCR. On the basis of the obtained results, it was found that the application of pesticides to soil fertilized with sewage sludge influenced the enzymatic activity of soil, and their activity differed depending on the tested enzyme. The activity of URE and DHA on the plots with GSS was higher by approx. 20% and 30%, respectively, as compared to the plots without GSS application. Moreover, both the genetic biodiversity of microorganisms and the abundance of amoA gene differed depending on the variant of the experiment. The GSS treatment of soil significantly influenced the growth of the studied gene as compared to C, and its abundance was 9.15 log10 gene copies/g DW of soil. Due to the content of nutrients in sewage sludge, it can be a valuable fertilizer in agricultural crops treated with pesticides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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17 pages, 6357 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides Concentration in Selected Mineral Waters Available on the Polish Market
by Małgorzata Wojtkowska, Karol Wojtkowski and Magdalena Długosz-Lisiecka
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11401; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211401 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1752
Abstract
This research examined samples of mineral water available on the Polish market. The contents of radionuclides in 12 samples of water were determined: cesium 137Cs, thorium 232Th, potassium 40K, and radium 226Ra; and heavy metals: zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, [...] Read more.
This research examined samples of mineral water available on the Polish market. The contents of radionuclides in 12 samples of water were determined: cesium 137Cs, thorium 232Th, potassium 40K, and radium 226Ra; and heavy metals: zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, lead, cadmium, and mercury. Spectrometric analysis showed the presence of a 232Th track in one sample (Franciszek water) with a concentration of 2.4 ± 2.1 mBq/L above the LLD (low limit of detection); 40K potassium was detected in all samples. In the case of radium 226Ra, its presence above the detection threshold was found in nine water samples. No artificial element 137Cs was found in the mineral waters. The tests showed the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb) present in the waters. The limit values are specified by the Ministry of Health Regulation. Copper, cadmium, and chromium did not exceed the permissible values. In the case of nickel, the normalized values (20 μg/L) were exceeded in only two waters: Słotwinka and Józefowianka. Only in the Amita water did we find that the value of 1.0 μg/L was exceeded. The concentration of zinc, for which no limit is set in the regulation, was the highest, ranging from 287 to 1.30 μg/L. The greatest threat to people drinking the studied mineral waters is lead, which in eight waters exceeded the permissible value of 10 μg/L. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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12 pages, 4248 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Field Applicability of Intermittent Irrigation in Protected Cultivation Using an Automatic Irrigation System
by Sang-Hyeon Kang, Youngjin Kim, Sangbong Lee, Heetae Kim and Minyoung Kim
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(20), 10680; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122010680 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1701
Abstract
The demand for efficient water use and automatic systems has been increasing due to the frequent drought damage to crops as a result of climate change, the shortage of water resources in rural areas, and the aging of farmers. The existing automatic irrigation [...] Read more.
The demand for efficient water use and automatic systems has been increasing due to the frequent drought damage to crops as a result of climate change, the shortage of water resources in rural areas, and the aging of farmers. The existing automatic irrigation systems reduce the amount of labor required for irrigation and maintain soil moisture. However, the irrigation threshold criteria are user-determined as opposed to being automated according to input objectives such as improving crop productivity and saving water. In this study, an algorithm that could automatically determine suitable soil moisture according to a database and an automatic irrigation system with intermittent irrigation for efficient water use were developed. An experiment was then conducted on the productivity of crops for protected cultivation according to the application of the system. As the frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) sensor used in this system measured the volumetric water content of the soil, the soil moisture tension corresponding with the set value was converted into the volumetric water content using a regression equation. The process of intermittent irrigation was defined by using the moisture movement modeling of Hydrus 2D to reduce water loss on the soil surface and allow moisture to penetrate the soil unobstructed. An experimental field of a tomato farm was divided into empirical manual and controlled automatic irrigation plots. A total of 97.3% of the soil moisture values in the −33 kPa-controlled automatic irrigation plot and 96.6% of the soil moisture values in the −25 kPa-controlled automatic irrigation plot were within each set range during the first cropping season. During the second cropping season, a total of 94.8% of the soil moisture values in the −33 kPa-controlled automatic irrigation plot was within the set range. Compared with the empirical manual irrigation plot, the water productivity in the first cropping season was 113.9% in the −33 kPa-controlled automatic irrigation plot and 106.3% in the −25 kPa-controlled automatic irrigation plot. In the second cropping season, the water productivity was 117.3% in the −33 kPa-controlled automatic irrigation plot. Therefore, an automatic irrigation system applied with intermittent irrigation could be critical to increasing agricultural production and improving water-use efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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11 pages, 2167 KiB  
Article
Effect of Bio-Electrochemical Treatment of Hydroponic Effluent on the Nutrient Content
by Kamil Łukasz Bryszewski, Joanna Rodziewicz and Wojciech Janczukowicz
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(19), 9540; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12199540 - 23 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1151
Abstract
This study examined the effect of bio-electrochemical treatment processes on nitrogen and phosphorus removal, but it also evaluated the impact of the treatment processes on the concentration of other nutrients present in hydroponic effluent. A bio-electrochemical reactor (BER) was used in the experiment [...] Read more.
This study examined the effect of bio-electrochemical treatment processes on nitrogen and phosphorus removal, but it also evaluated the impact of the treatment processes on the concentration of other nutrients present in hydroponic effluent. A bio-electrochemical reactor (BER) was used in the experiment to treat effluent from the hydroponic cultivation of tomatoes. It was stated that the nitrogen removal efficiency decreased with increasing current density. The study showed that an electric current density of 0.63 A/m2 ensured the lowest effluent nitrate concentration. The nitrogen removal efficiency ranged from 41.6%-R1 (density of 0.63 A/m2) to 8.9%-R4 (density of 5 A/m2). Electric current density higher than 1.25 A/m2 resulted in lower total nitrogen removal efficiency. The total phosphorus removal efficiency increased with increasing electric current density. The phosphorus removal efficiency was the lowest—95.1%—in the R1 reactor, whereas it was the highest in R4—99.1%. The concentration of the other elements in the effluent was determined. The content of molybdenum, boron, sulphates, and potassium did not meet the acceptable norms for discharging hydroponic effluent into the environment. The study showed that bio-electrochemical processes taking place in BER caused secondary contamination of hydroponic wastewater with molybdenum ions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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16 pages, 5004 KiB  
Article
Electrodegradation of Acid Mixture Dye through the Employment Electrooxidation and Lemnoideae in Na2SO4 Synthetic Wastewater
by Agnieszka Bęś, Łukasz Sikorski, Tomasz Mikołajczyk, Mateusz Kuczyński, Mateusz Łuba, Bogusław Pierożyński and Agnieszka Jasiecka-Mikołajczyk
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(17), 8672; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12178672 - 29 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1557
Abstract
In this study, we report on the effectiveness of electrochemical and biological wastewater treatment for artificially prepared industrial wastewater, comprising small amounts of technologically important dyes, namely Acid Mixture composed of Acid Violet 90 (AV90) and Acid Red 357 (AR357) in Na2 [...] Read more.
In this study, we report on the effectiveness of electrochemical and biological wastewater treatment for artificially prepared industrial wastewater, comprising small amounts of technologically important dyes, namely Acid Mixture composed of Acid Violet 90 (AV90) and Acid Red 357 (AR357) in Na2SO4 (ESS—electrolyte supporting solution), as well as their impact on the environment, using Lemna minor as a bioindicator. Our study revealed that among the tested dyes, the raw ones (AM in ESS+OM) and those subjected to electrooxidation with the use of an iron anode and a copper cathode [AMFe/Cuox in ESS+OM (OECD medium is a medium recommended by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development for Lemna sp. Growth Inhibition Test)] were the most phytotoxic for L. minor. No phytotoxicity was detected for the tested plants in solution after electrooxidation with graphite anode and cathode (AMCox in ESS+OM). Quantitative identification of acid mixture removal was carried out by supplementary UPLC/MS-MS (Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/tandem Mass Spectrometry) and UV-VIS (UltraViolet-Visible spectroscopy) instrumental analysis. The final removal after electrochemical and biological treatment of AV90 and AR357 dye components was 98 and over 99%, respectively. The results suggest that it may be a suitable replacement/addition for the generally used wastewater treatment methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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14 pages, 1533 KiB  
Article
Challenges of Hydrodynamic Cavitation of Organic Wastes
by Aleksandra Szaja, Agnieszka Montusiewicz and Magdalena Lebiocka
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7936; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157936 - 8 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1641
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) as a pre-treatment method for selected organic wastes. In these HC experiments, municipal wastewater (MW) and mature landfill leachate (MLL) as well as mixtures of lignocellulosic waste (LB) suspended [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) as a pre-treatment method for selected organic wastes. In these HC experiments, municipal wastewater (MW) and mature landfill leachate (MLL) as well as mixtures of lignocellulosic waste (LB) suspended in these waste streams were investigated. For all HC tests, the same operational parameters were assumed: an inlet pressure of 7 bar, and 30 recirculations through the cavitation zone. A steel orifice plate with a conical concentric hole of 3/10 mm was used as the HC inductor. In almost all the materials analysed, solubilisation and decomposition of complex organic matter were observed, which were confirmed by an improved biodegradability index (BI) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) content in the cavitated mixtures. The exception was the series with sole MW; in this case, the BI was reduced. In turn, regarding the multicomponent mixtures, more beneficial results were found for LB and MW, which were confirmed by improved BI, alkalinity and SCOD content. The results obtained indicate that HC might be applied as a pre-treatment method for selected organic wastes for further biomethane production. However, a key factor in its successful application is the selection of suitable operational conditions chosen individually for each waste type. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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18 pages, 2384 KiB  
Article
Technological Parameters of Rotating Electrochemical and Electrobiological Disk Contactors Depending on the Effluent Quality Requirements
by Joanna Rodziewicz, Artur Mielcarek, Wojciech Janczukowicz, Kamil Bryszewski, Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć and Urszula Wydro
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(11), 5503; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12115503 - 29 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1397
Abstract
Soilless tomato cultivation wastewater, with typically low COD, high concentrations of phosphorus, and oxidized forms of nitrogen, may be effectively treated in a rotating electrochemical disk contactor (RECDC) and in a bioelectrochemical reactor (BER), such as a rotating electrobiological disk contactor (REBDC). The [...] Read more.
Soilless tomato cultivation wastewater, with typically low COD, high concentrations of phosphorus, and oxidized forms of nitrogen, may be effectively treated in a rotating electrochemical disk contactor (RECDC) and in a bioelectrochemical reactor (BER), such as a rotating electrobiological disk contactor (REBDC). The aim of this study was to determine the technological parameters of both reactors, i.e., electric current density (J) and hydraulic retention time (HRT), depending on the effluent quality requirements. The study was conducted with four one-stage RECDCs and with four one-stage REBDCs, at four hydraulic retention times, i.e., 4, 8, 12, and 24 h, and electric current densities of 0.63, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 A/m2. It was demonstrated that soilless tomato cultivation wastewater could be effectively treated in electrochemical and electrobiological disk contactors, and then discharged to sewage system facilities. In a RECDC, the highest denitrification (53.4%) and dephosphatation (99.8%) performance was achieved at J = 10.0 A/m2 and HRT = 24 h. If the effluents are to be discharged to natural reservoirs, their effective treatment is only feasible in a REBDC. The bioelectrochemical disk contactor ensured over 90% dephosphatation effectiveness. At HRT = 24 h and all electric current densities studied, the concentrations of pollutants in the effluent met requirements set for industrial wastewater discharged into natural waters and the ground. By applying J = 2.5 A/m2 and HRT = 24 h in the REBDC, it was possible to achieve a phosphorus concentration below 3.0 mg P/L and concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and nitrites lower than the permissible levels for treated industrial wastewater introduced to waters and to the ground. Given the nitrate concentration (exceeding 30 mg N/L), an external carbon source is recommended to aid a treatment process that uses a technological system with a REBDC. Technological schemes were proposed for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with a RECDC and a REBDC, for discharging treated wastewater to natural waters, the ground, and sewage systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water and Wastewater Management in Agriculture)
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