Water reuse in closed hydroponic systems: Comparison of GAC adsorption, ion exchange and ozonation processes to treat recycled nutrient solution

Abstract

In this study, the removal of root exudates from recycled nutrient solution (RNS) in hydroponic systems was investigated by using alternative advanced treatment processes. In particular, the performance of adsorption on granular activated carbon (GAC adsorption), ion exchange (using Amberlite IRA96) and ozonation was evaluated. The characterization of a RNS from a lettuce hydroponic company showed the occurrence of several organic acids including benzoic, maleic, palmitic, stearic, phthalic, succinic, acrylic, adipic, myristic, mannonic, oleic, arachidic and acetic acid. Furthermore, benzoic, acrylic, myristic and palmitic acid were detected even after the RNS treatment by GAC adsorption, ion exchange or ozonation. Further experiments were performed to evaluate the removal efficiency of root exudates from RNS by the selected treatment processes. For this purpose benzoic acid (BA), which is a potent growth inhibitor, was selected as target compound. Benzoic acid occurring at 23μg/L in the RNS was completely removed by GAC adsorption, ion exchange or ozonation process. In addition, GAC adsorption was the most efficient technique for organic matter removal. Indeed, the COD removal efficiency was 74%, 67% and 22% for GAC adsorption, ozonation and ion exchange treatments, respectively. The results from UV–vis absorbance measurements corroborated the best performance of activated carbon in organic compounds removal from RNS. For instance, the absorbance removal at 280nm reached 82%, 51% and 27% after GAC adsorption, ozonation and ion exchange treatments, respectively.