30 Jun 2017

Dissolving uncertainty: A comprehensive evaluation of dissolved P in tile drainage

As major phosphorus-related water impairments continue to generate headlines and stir regulatory interest, there is an increasing need to better understand factors impacting phosphorus (P) transported from areas where agriculture is heavily underpinned by tile drainage. Substantial opportunities to reduce Illinois’ point-source P loads exist, but the agricultural sector will nevertheless need to play a role in meeting P reduction targets.

Read more about this NREC funded research here.

30 May 2017

Denitrifying ‘Woodchip’ Bioreactor Projects

While in-field practices such as 4Rs nitrogen management and cover crops will be vital to meeting agricultural water quality goals, as substantial investments in drainage systems continue to be made, edge-of-field practices like bioreactors will also be a necessary part of the solution. Inside a bioreactor, provision of a solid organic carbon source in addition to maintenance of anoxic conditions allows the natural process of denitrification to be enhanced, meaning waters leaving these treatment systems have significantly reduced nitrate loads.

Learn more here