An Experimental Study of Paddy Drainage Treatment by Zeolite and Effective Microorganisms (EM)

Shuyu Wu, Zhuangzhuang Zhang, Jiang Li, Tianao Wu and Xiyun Jiao
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Shuyu Wu: College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
Zhuangzhuang Zhang: College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
Jiang Li: College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
Tianao Wu: College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
Xiyun Jiao: College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: Eco-ditch systems have increasingly been designed and applied as a strategy to decrease the risks of water eutrophication and contamination pollution for sustainable agriculture. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the water quality of eco-ditch substrates amended with zeolite and Effective Microorganisms (EM), such as pH, dissolved oxygen concentration (DO), ammonium nitrogen concentration (NH 4 + -N), and nitrate nitrogen concentration (NO 3 − -N). Laboratory experiments were conducted with four single substrates (soil, none substrates, natural zeolite, and zeolite loaded with EM bacteria) and two mixed substrates (soil and varying proportions of the additives, 0, 5 and 15%, m/m). Results showed that the concentration of NH 4 + -N was decreased with the increasing rates of additives, and zeolite loaded with EM bacteria had the highest nitrogen removal rate (97.90%) under static experimental condition. The application rate of 15% zeolite loaded with EM bacteria on the eco-ditch exerted a better effect on NH 4 + -N and NO 3 − -N removal without pH reduction, decreased by 87.19% for NH 4 + -N and 30.33% for NO 3 − -N, respectively. Path analysis showed that zeolite addition had a rapid effect (path coefficient = −0.972) on free NH 4 + -N ions adsorption in early 1–3 days, then EM loaded at zeolite further decreased NH 4 + -N (path coefficient = −0.693) and NO 3 − -N (path coefficient = −0.334) via bacterial metabolism. Based on the results, the applications of natural zeolite and Effective Microorganisms (EM) at an appropriate rate (15%, m/m) can significantly improve water quality of paddy drainage via exerting effects on nitrogen removal.

Keywords: eco-ditch substrate; nitrogen removal; rice paddy; path analysis model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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