Natural based solution for agricultural and livestocks system contamination

This research line aims to develop new technologies and cultivation methods aimed at reducing nitrate contamination of agricultural systems and therefore contamination of aquifers, nearby lagoons and the crops themselves.

Agricultural systems depend on large inputs of nitrogen fertilizers, but most of the fertilizer effect is lost due to the microbial nitrification process leading to the formation of nitrates (nitrification), which leaches out quickly. At the same time, this process can cause serious N pollution in crops, soil and groundwater.

The use of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) slow the microbial conversion of nitrogen forms to nitrate and reduce the risk of loss through leaching. Chemical nitrification inhibitors are widely studied, however, the literature available on the potential use of organic alternatives are scarce. Studies on the isolation of active compounds to develop standardised and effective commercial products are still scarce. The research group are very interested in the development of extraction and isolation techniques with green solvents for natural NIs derivated from the olive industry

Another interesting approaches is the used of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in combination or not with vegetable systems constitute an effectiveness eco-friendly denitrification system in wastewater treatment, and also provides green energy production. However, its application for nitrate removal during the crop of commercial leafy vegetables has not been explored. Furthermore, this technology in combination with natural wetlands could be a good natural alternative for the treatment of water discharging into aquatic environments.

These approaches are very interesting in the case of the problems associated with the Mar Menor lagoon (Region of Murcia, Spain), the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe, which has shown an abrupt deterioration of water quality, raising great environmental and social concerns. Solutions to the problem will be sought through three approaches: (i) use of nitrification inhibitors of natural origin during crop production; (ii) use of microbial fuel cells associated with crops for denitrification of agricultural system and (iii) use of microbial fuel cells associated with built wetlands for the denitrification of wastewater.