Virginia Tech Summer Research Symposium 2013
StREAM Lab REU 2013
Center for Enhancement of Engineering Diversity Summer Camp 2013
Conclusions:
- Inoculation with biologically active pond sediment decreases time required for systems to reach equilibrium nitrate removal rate due to denitrification from existing bacterial populations.
- Addition of biochar increases the time required to reach equilibrium nitrate removal. Physical adsorption of phosphate to biochar increased removal efficiency notably.
- Inconsistencies and a singular negative removal efficiency of phosphorus in Pipe 1 require further investigation.
StREAM Lab REU 2013
Future Testing:
Future Researchers:
- Microbial community development analysis and manipulation.
- Phosphate/Biochar Relationship- spike influent with phosphate, use inoculated pond sediment for all pipes, vary percentage of biochar in each pipe.
- Longer residence time testing- run test again to see how long it takes for nitrate removal rates to equilibrate and to get a more accurate residence time.
- Greenhouse gas emissions- collect gases to ensure nitrous oxide (N2O) is being released.
Future Researchers:
- StREAM Lab REU 2014
- Virginia Tech Undergraduate Researchers
Center for Enhancement of Engineering Diversity Summer Camp 2013
Future Education and Outreach:
- Virginia Tech students
- Local Farmers
- Local Community