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Growth of Lettuce in Hydroponics Fed with Aerobic- and Anaerobic–Aerobic-Treated Domestic Wastewater

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  • Jörn Germer

    (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute for Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Universität Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 13, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Christian Brandt

    (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute for Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Universität Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 13, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Frank Rasche

    (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute for Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Universität Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 13, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Thomas Dockhorn

    (Institute of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Universitätsplatz 2, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Alexa Bliedung

    (Wasserwirtschaftsamt Ingolstadt, Auf d. Schanz 26, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

Abstract

Reusing water and nutrients from municipal wastewater can conserve resources and reduce wastewater treatment costs. In this study, the suitability of different qualities of treated wastewater for plant production in a hydroponic flow-through system was investigated. Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) was grown in hydroponic lines fed with treated wastewater, i.e., conventional effluent from aerobic wastewater treatment by the activated sludge process (CE), ozonised CE (CEO), anaerobically pre-treated and nitrified wastewater (AN) and biological activated carbon filtered AN (ANC) in comparison with a modified Hoagland nutrient solution. In CEO, AN and ANC, the lettuce reached a similar weight and elemental composition as that in HS. The low N and P concentrations in CE and CEO were quickly depleted, resulting in limited plant development at the ends of these lines. The lower water content in the CE shoots was probably related to hypoxia that occurred at higher temperatures. In the CEO line, this condition did not arise due to the constant decay of O 3 . At lower temperatures, the CEO shoot dry weight was 90% higher than that in CE. This was possibly an effect of residual ozone and/or oxygen supersaturation. AN produced the highest yield, while carbon filtration lowered the content of cations in ANC, inducing deficiency of Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > K. Coupling wastewater treatment with hydroponics allows for efficient nutrient recovery, and thus could reduce the energy and reactor volume needed for N and P elimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Jörn Germer & Christian Brandt & Frank Rasche & Thomas Dockhorn & Alexa Bliedung, 2023. "Growth of Lettuce in Hydroponics Fed with Aerobic- and Anaerobic–Aerobic-Treated Domestic Wastewater," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:8:p:1529-:d:1207959
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Urbano, Vanessa Ribeiro & Mendonça, Thaís Grandizoli & Bastos, Reinaldo Gaspar & Souza, Claudinei Fonseca, 2017. "Effects of treated wastewater irrigation on soil properties and lettuce yield," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 108-115.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lukas Simon Kriem & Carsten Pietzka & Marc Beckett & Luisa Gärtling & Benjamin Wriedt, 2023. "Electrochemical In Situ Hydrogen Peroxide Production Can Reduce Microbial Load in Bioponic Nutrient Solutions Derived from Organic Waste," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, November.

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