Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID NJ_2023_AHAMED-AXE

Mixed media biologically active filters for water reuse in agriculture

Institute: New Jersey
Year Established: 2023 Start Date: 2023-09-01 End Date: 2024-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $5,000

Principal Investigators: Tanvir Ahmed, Lisa Axe

Project Summary: The proposed research will focus on advancing biologically active filters (BAFs) for water reuse in agriculture. BAFs have been found to be effective in treating emerging contaminants in source water for drinking water treatment plants. However, for more recalcitrant compounds such as pesticides, pretreatment with ozonation is needed. To apply BAFs in beneficial reuse of water irrigation in agriculture, this research will address improving the substrate used in BAFs by impregnating granular active carbon (GAC) with surfaces that can enhance the biofilm formation and adsorption capacity comparing graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The utilization of GAC-based composites in batch experiments is expected to considerably enhance the efficacy of pesticide removal compared to GAC due to the higher adsorption capacity of GO and rGO. The surface will be optimized through characterization, adsorption affinity and capacity, and performance in developing a sustainable biofilm. The composite-based BAF be studied in bench- and pilot-scale experiments for treating pesticides and nutrients through adsorption and biodegradation. This research will address the effect of the media, empty bed contact time (EBCT), and temperature, resulting in optimum conditions for both pilot and full-scale implementation. The mixed media BAF system is expected to advance the reuse of agricultural water while treating two widely used pesticides, atrazine and metolachlor.