Reference projects
Constructed ecosystems for agricultural run-off mitigation and surface water protection
Project duration: 11/2019–12/2022
Project leader: LIMNOS d.o.o.
Content
In the EIP GREKO project (concluded 2022) LIMNOS has successfully designed and implemented 5 different constructed ecosystems in the drainage ditches, that prevent or mitigate agriculture run-off pollution of surface waters.
Based on nature’s self-cleansing abilities the solution represents a sustainable approach to reducing the environmental burden on water resources. Monitoring results confirmed the effectiveness of TSS removal, efficiency on different locations is proportional to the relative value of the parameter (EC, COD, TSS, N-NH₄⁺, N-NO₃⁻, P-PO₄ᶾ⁻). Built ecosystems have a significant pollution buffering capacity.
Further use in agriculture in Slovenia is planned.
The constructed ecosystem in the existing drainage 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.
The location is treating runoff from agricultural and other areas. Run-off is led to a filter, where it flows calmly through a co-natural system greened with common reed (Phragmites australis). Probes located at this location measured the water level in the surrounding land and its impact on crops. It proved to be favourable to the soil and did not harm the plants.
The photo shows a small buffer zone that protects the watercourse next to it. Analysis of plants displayed the effectiveness of the system, particularly as P and N trap.
This ecosystem is placed in a ditch, where the rainwater drains from the yard of the outbuilding (barn) leachates. 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. Monitoring of the installation proved high efficiency (organic matter (-96%), as well as N-NH₄+ and N-NO₃- (over 70% reduction), TSS (77% pollution reduction) and P-PO43 (70% pollution reduction)).
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. The solution displayed a high habitat value.
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
