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The Phosphorus Cycle

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Published on: October 7, 2020

Denitrifying bioreactors and dissolved phosphorus: Net source or sink?

A P Sanchez-Bustamante Bailon¹, A Margenot¹, R A C Cooke²

¹Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA.

Journal of Environmental Quality

|May 6, 2024

Summary

Woodchip bioreactors can remove nitrate pollution but may release dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP). This study found bioreactors removed DRP in most cases, though results varied, highlighting a potential tradeoff in water quality management.

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Last Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

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Published on: October 7, 2020

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors

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Published on: December 6, 2018

The Benthic Exchange of O2, N2 and Dissolved Nutrients Using Small Core Incubations

The Benthic Exchange of O2, N2 and Dissolved Nutrients Using Small Core Incubations

Published on: August 3, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Water Quality Management
Agricultural Engineering

Background:

Nitrate pollution is a major concern in tile-drained US Midwest agriculture.
Denitrifying woodchip bioreactors effectively reduce nitrate, but phosphorus release is a potential issue.
Understanding nutrient tradeoffs is crucial for effective water quality strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess if denitrifying woodchip bioreactors act as a net source or sink for dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP).
To identify flow-related factors influencing DRP removal or release.
To evaluate the DRP benefits and tradeoffs of bioreactors in agricultural drainage.

Main Methods:

Analysis of 23 site-years of data from full-scale bioreactors in Illinois.
Monitoring of 1904 sample events across 10 bioreactors.
Calculation of DRP removal efficiency and rate, correlated with flow and loading conditions.

Main Results:

DRP was removed in 15 out of 23 site-years.
Median annual DRP removal efficiency was 12%, with a median rate of 7.1 mg DRP/m³ per day.
Highest DRP removal rates occurred with high inflow concentrations and low hydraulic retention times.

Conclusions:

Woodchip bioreactors demonstrated DRP removal in most assessed cases, but with significant variability.
Bioreactor performance regarding DRP is influenced by loading conditions and hydraulic retention time.
These findings contribute to understanding the strategic tradeoffs of using bioreactors for agricultural water quality improvement.