Evaluation of Underground Reactive Barrier Using Combination of Wood Chips and Charcoal/Biochar.

There is a great need for cost-effective and proven best management practices to mediate contaminants (e.g. excess nutrients, pathogens, veterinary pharmaceuticals, etc.) in agricultural drainage. One technology for remediating agricultural chemicals, such as nitrogen (N), is promoting denitrification using denitrification beds, also called underground reactive barriers. The purpose of this research is to carry out field studies evaluating an “advanced” underground reactive barrier using combination of woodchips and charcoal/biochar and silage leachate. Our preliminary study showed that addition of biochar/charcoal was very effective to remove P as well as veterinary antibiotics which are emerging contaminants. We also plan to evaluate the use of silage leachate that contains high carbon content to help the reactive barrier. We have installed two underground reactive barriers and will monitor N reduction. We will also investigate the  addition of charcoal for treating N, P, veterinary antibiotics as well as pathogen/fecal bacteria.