Potential of using energy crops as biological filters for the bioremediation of sewage and industrial effluents
McCracken, A., Werner, A., Johnston, C., Moore, P., Doherty, L., Lynch, M., Cowan, P., McQuitty, C., Walsh, L., Benson, V., Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute
(free)
Many energy crops, e.g. Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow, have high evapotranspiration rates and hence potential for bioremediation of effluents. As part of a UK network (project, ‘WaterRenew’) a trial site in N. Ireland comprising SRC willow, single stem poplar and grass was irrigated with primary sewage effluent over a 48 month period during the growing season.
There was no leakage of any of the major nutrients, in particular nitrogen or phosphorous, to soil or groundwater. At Godinton House, Kent, England, effluent produced following primary settlement was applied to SRC willow. There was no elevation of N or P concentrations in water samples taken from a small river adjacent to the plantation. At a commercial site at Linwoods Ltd. in Armagh, N. Ireland the effluent from a food processing factory has been irrigated onto SRC willow for over a year. This approach has proved a highly effective method of nutrient management, as well as resulting in significant cost savings. In addition there was a major contribution to reducing carbon emissions. Irrigation of fast growing energy crops with appropriate effluents is an ideal method of managing discharges from small
inefficient WWTWs, septic tanks, and some industrial processes. Major carbon emission savings can also be achieved.
KEY WORDS: Bioremediation, Biofiltration, Carbon emissions savings, Effluents, Short Rotation Coppice, Willow, IN
