title: Applying trait-function relationships for microbial plant decomposition to predict medium longevity in pollution control biofilters.
abstract: Biofilters, bioreactors used for pollution control, can effectively treat a variety of odorous and hazardous emissions, but uncertain medium longevities and associated costs limit biofilter adoption. To improve medium-life estimations for biofilter end-users, litter bags were used to compare decay rates of common biofilter medium types and test the effects of nitrogen (N) enrichment and livestock production emissions on medium decay in a full-scale biofilter over a 27-month period. Generally, "by-product" media (mulch, corn cobs) decayed faster than hardwood media, with decay of softwood media the slowest. Analysis showed nutrient content was the best predictor of early-stage decay, while carbon fractions and nutrient content best predicted medium longevity. N amendments and N-rich barn emissions were found to hasten medium decay. By identifying decay rates and rate predictors specific for biofilter media, we provide biofilter engineers and farmers with a quantitative way to improve medium selection based on the trade-offs between medium cost and replacement frequency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, Kaufert Laboratory, 2004 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, Kaufert Laboratory, 2004 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA. schillin@umn.edu.|Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota, 325 LES Building, 1954 Buford Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA. schillin@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Schilling
mesh_terms: D061808:Air Filters; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001711:Biotransformation; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D018508:Water Purification
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D014873:Water Pollutants
keywords: Bioreactor; Decay rate; Litter bag; Media; Nitrogen