Woodchip Bioreactor

This video captures the building of a woodchip bioreactor for nitrate removal from agricultural runoff. It includes images of the finished bioreactor and shows the process scientists use to test the water directly, as well as the water before and after running through the bioreactor.

Video

Sioux Center

Iowa Core Standard

MS-ESS3-3

Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment

Driving Question

What is the environmental impact of agriculture?

Probing Questions

Is there a relationship between agricultural runoff and the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico?
How can we monitor agricultural runoff?

Classroom Suggestions

Students could:

Conduct a watershed activity, such as Rock Your Watershed or Water Quality - Nutrient Management and Cropping Systems - Lesson 4 Watershed Decisions to model a watershed.
Create a pro/con list of integrating different agricultural strategies to minimize environmental impact.
Research what a bioreactor is and how it works.
Examine the relationship between agricultural runoff and environmental health.

Resources

Iowa State Extension | Woodchip Bioreactors: Removing Nitrates from Field Tile Lines: This video explains how a woodchip bioreactor works.
Iowa State Extension | Woodchip Bioreactors for Nitrate in Agricultural Drainage: Article that explains how bioreactors work and the pros/cons.
Instructables | An Algae Bioreactor From Recycled Water Bottles: This lesson shows a design experiment for removing carbon dioxide instead of nitrates.
Des Moines Water Works | Water Activities: This list of activities introduces the importance of water and its conservation.

Contributors

Submitted by Josie Libby.