Effect of metal nanoparticles in anaerobic digestion production and plant uptake from effluent fertilizer

Abstract

Nanoparticle (NP) use can increase biological activity and adversely impact the environment. This study was the first to quantify biogas increases with NP mixtures during continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) of poultry litter and NP uptake in crops through tracking: 1) CH4 and H2S production from a NP mixture (Fe, Ni, and Co) in 30 L continuous digester (AD1) for 278 days compared to a control digester (AD2) without NP addition, 2) NP degradation during digestion, 3) using AD effluent with and without NP addition as a fertilizer, and 4) plant uptake of NPs. With NP inclusion, CH4 production increased by 23.7%, and H2S was reduced by 56.3%. The AD1 effluent had 1,160–19,400% higher NP concentrations and the lettuce biomass had 21.0–1,920% more NPs than lettuce fertilized with the AD2 effluent. This study showed that the effects of NPs remaining in the AD effluent must be considered.