Overview of on-farm bioremediation systems to reduce the occurrence of point source contamination.
Contamination of ground and surface water puts pressure on the use of pesticides. Pesticide contamination of water can often be linked to point sources rather than to diffuse sources. Examples of such point sources are areas on farms where pesticides are handled and filled into sprayers, and where sprayers are cleaned. To reduce contamination from these point sources, different kinds of bioremediation system are being researched in various member states of the EU. Bioremediation is the use of living organisms, primarily microorganisms, to degrade the environmental contaminants into less toxic forms. The systems available for biocleaning of pesticides vary according to their shape and design. Up till now, three systems have been extensively described and reported: the biobed, the Phytobac and the biofilter. Most of these constructions are excavations or different sizes of container filled with biological material. Typical overall clean-up efficiency exceeds 95%, realising even more than 99% in many cases. This paper provides an overview of the state of the art of these bioremediation systems and discusses their construction, efficiency and drawbacks.
De Wilde
Tineke
T
Laboratory of Crop Protection Chemistry, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Tineke.DeWilde@UGent.be
Spanoghe
Pieter
P
Debaer
Christof
C
Ryckeboer
Jaak
J
Springael
Dirk
D
Jaeken
Peter
P
D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005374:Filtration; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D014881:Water Supply
D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical