Ecological Engineering Techniques for on-farm water quality

Niroj Aryal

NC A&T State University

Co-Authors: Guled Amina, Dominae Smith, Zepei Tang, Laurent Ahiablame

Addition of agrochemicals (fertilizers, pesticides), application of animal manure to fields as amendments, and roaming/grazing/defecating by wild and domestic (farm and pet) animals on the farm can introduce pollutants including nitrogen, phosphorus, pathogens (harmful microorganisms), pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides), veterinary medicines (antibiotics, hormones), and antibiotic resistant bacteria to the runoff water. The goal of this research is to increase farm resiliency by increasing the quality of the water with ecological engineering techniques in an on-farm water reservoir/pond that collects water from farm areas and reduce the health risks associated with using this water for irrigation. Pollutants removal by biofilters and dual-stage wetlands to remove these pollutants from an on-farm reservoir system that collects runoff from NCA&T farm or simulated runoff is being set up at the laboratory and the field. The results will increase our understanding of low-cost ecological engineering technique i.e. two-stage wetlands and biofilters for treatment of runoff from farms for diverse suite of pollutants including veterinary medicines (antibiotics, hormones), pathogens (harmful microorganisms), antibiotic resistant genes, and pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides). Pollutant fate in vegetable production systems and their implications to human health will also be evaluated.