Pollution Prevention and Wastewater Phytoremediation IN BRIEF
1. Water flow 2. Water Recirculation 3. Algal Turf Scrubbers 4. Algal Scaffold 5. Benthic algae community 6. CO 2 fixation 7. Photons 8. O 2 production
THE IMPETUS
WITH NTAE GRANT SUPPORT • Constructed an ATS in Aquacul- ture Research and Demonstration facility, Dover, Delaware • Monitored the ATS to determine the dominant macro-algal species for the particular environment • Planned an educational workshop in late July to introduce the system to the farmers living near Rehoboth Bay • Monitored water quality and sediment nutrient with the ATS and without the ATS to gauge efficien- cy of the removal of excess nitro- gen, phosphorous, and sediment
THE VISION
Nutrient pollution (excess carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) in bays, lakes, reservoirs, and streams is a major problem for farms that rely on that water.
This pilot program will prove that the ATS, which has been successful in neighboring states, can help Delaware farmers—especially underserved and coastal producers—reduce farm costs, increase farm profit, improve farm management, and contribute to natural resource conservation and nutrient management goals for the Inland Bays.
THE WORK
On a farm in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, Delaware State University (DSU) Extension will pilot the use of the Algal Turf Raceway System (ATS), a green technology that not only improves the quality of water down- stream from the farm but creates an alga (aquatic plant, like seaweed) biomass that can be used in place of chemical fertilizers and can also be used in animal feed.
“This project’s team is blending the best of on-farm research with an innovative value-added opportunity for alga biomass.” —Rick Klemme, NTAE Catalyst
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