The Nitrate Cell project involved installing underground bioreactors (nitrate wood chip cells) in tile drained fields; with the goal of reducing nitrate run-off and other contaminants from subsurface drainage on agricultural land, near waterways.
How does this work?
- The bioreactors have an influent pipe that allows drainage waters from the fields to flow into an inlet control structure.
- Then the water passes through wood chips, which absorbs the nutrients and contaminants from the water allowing bacteria to filter out; decreasing the amount of nitrogen in the water.
- After a specific resting time, the filtered water slowly redirects back into the natural environment with a significantly reduced nitrate concentration.
Overall the bioreactors (nitrate cells) encourage positive drainage and reduce the quantity of nitrates and contaminants that enter waterways through agricultural runoff.
In 2016, East Prince Agri-Environment Association in partnership with PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Association and Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada installed 3 bioreactors in fields with drainage issues, near waterways in the East Prince area. The research project was funded by the Government of Prince Edward Island Growing Forward 2 Framework – Agriculture Research and Innovation Program.
The results of this project revealed that the nitrate cells did help to reduce nutrient leaching, by approximately 40%. This project has provided local farmers with a new management practice for reducing nitrate leaching, giving them another tool for improving their environmental stewardship.