Investigating the Effect of Different Hydraulic Cross Sections of Denitrification Beds on the Amount of Effluent EC

Abstract

Nitrate loadings from agricultural drainage to surface water resources cause’s serious water quality concerns in many parts of the world. Denitrification bioreactors are suitable option for removing nitrate from agricultural drainage water. The objectives of this study was to investigate the effect of different hydraulic cross sections of denitrification beds on the amount of effluent EC. In this study, three denitrification beds were constructed with a semicircular, triangle and a rectangle cross sections, filled with wood chips of beech tree. Samples were taken from the outlets of all three beds at a depth at 25 and 50 cm from the bottom of the bed for two months. EC of the samples was meassured using EC-meter. After determining the EC of the samples, data were analyzed by T-test and Univariate tests. The results showed that the shape of the cross-section of the denitrification beds and the saturation depth had a significant effect on EC and the amount of EC of the outflow was increased.