Reference projects

Constructed ecosystems for agricultural run-off mitigation and surface water protection

Agriculture
Project duration: 11/2019–12/2022
Project leader: LIMNOS d.o.o.

Limnos is leading the project consortia on EIP project titled »Constructed ecosystems for agricultural run-off mitigation and surface water protection«. The project is funded by the European agricultural fund for rural development and Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia. The project is a part of EIP initiative.

Content

In the EIP GREKO project we linked the experience of agriculture and environmental engineering to reduce the agriculture run-off pollution to surface waters.

Agriculture significantly effects the surface water quality in the natural environment. Run-off is a source of pollution (fertilizers, organic matter and sediments) to water bodies. Water pollution poses a risk to aquatic ecosystems.

Constructed ecosystems are developed and tested as a part of drainage ditches. Based on nature’s self-cleansing abilities they represent a sustainable approach to reducing the environmental burden on water resources.

They are demonstrated in 5 different locations in Slovenia.

Current monitoring results confirm

That constructed ecosystems have a significant pollution buffering capacity.

News

We concluded with the placement of all 5 built ecosystems, each with its own purpose.

The photo shows the location of the built ecosystem, which was realized in late autumn, in November 2020. It shows the location of the temporary built ecosystem in the existing reclamation ditch. The runoff from the agricultural areas is led to a small reservoir (sedimentation basin), followed by a two-height ditch and finally the cleaning part of the entire system. Water flows calmly through the co-natural system. With the cooperation of microorganisms and wetland plants, we thus improve the condition of the water body downstream and also prevent further line pollution. Monitoring of the measure next year will show the effectiveness of the operation of this built ecosystem. Probes are also located at this location, which will measure the water level in the surrounding land and its impact on crops.

The photo shows the built ecosystem, which we realized in the spring. It involves the placement of a temporarily built ecosystem in an existing reclamation ditch. The runoff from agricultural and other areas is led to a filter, where it flows calmly through a co-natural system greened with common reed (Phragmites australis). With the cooperation of microorganisms and wetland plants, we thus improve the condition of the water body downstream and also prevent further line pollution. Monitoring of the measure next year will show the effectiveness of the operation of this built ecosystem. Probes are also located at this location, which will measure the water level in the surrounding land and its impact on crops.

The photo shows a small buffer zone that protects the watercourse next to it. Analysis of plants will show the effectiveness of the system next year.

The photo shows the ecosystem placed in a ditch, where the rainwater drains from the yard of the outbuilding (barn). A beam with a capacity of 25 PE is placed in the ditch and represents a comprehensive sustainable system for reducing polluted surface water and protecting water sources (which receive water from the canal). Monitoring of the measure next year will show the effectiveness of the operation of this built ecosystem.

The system of the built ecosystem consists of five parts: sedimentation basin (intended for interception and sedimentation of coarse particles); subsurface cleaning shaft (according to the principle of plant treatment plant), open water surface cleaning shaft (aerobic treatment), subsurface flow cleaning shaft and open water surface cleaning shaft. The entire system is 150 m long. Due to the placement of the measure, the reclamation ditch will not lose fluidity and drainage function.

Partners

Univerza v Ljubljani (Biotehniška fakulteta)
Meja Šentjur d.d.
Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije
Kmetijska gospodarstva Dejan Küčan, Andrej Grabnar, Majda Veselič
Društvo za proučevanje ptic in varstvo narave
Razvojna agencija Kozjansko
KGZS Zavod Novo mesto
KGZS Zavod Murska Sobota

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