Integration of crop production with CELSS waste management

• Published in: Advances in space research Vol. 20; no. 10; pp. 1833 - 1843
• Main Authors: Wignarajah, K., Bubenheim, D.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.1997
• Subjects: Biomass; Bioreactors; Carbon Dioxide; Culture Media - chemistry; Culture Media - toxicity; Detergents - analysis; Detergents - toxicity; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ecological Systems, Closed; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Incineration; Lactuca - drug effects; Lactuca - growth & development; Life Support Systems - instrumentation; Surface-Active Agents - analysis; Surface-Active Agents - toxicity; Volatilization; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Waste Management - instrumentation; Waste Management - methods; NASA Center ARC; NASA Discipline Life Support Systems
• ISSN: 0273-1177; 1879-1948
• DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00849-1

Lettuce plants were grown utilizing water, inorganic elements, and CO 2 inputs recovered from waste streams. The impact of these waste-derived inputs on the growth of lettuce was quantified and compared with results obtained when reagent grade inputs were used. Phytotoxicity was evident in both the untreated wastewater stream and the recovered CO 2 stream. The toxicity of surfactants in wastewater was removed using several treatment systems. Harmful effects of gaseous products resulting from incineration of inedible biomass on crop growth were observed. No phytotoxicity was observed when inorganic elements recovered from incinerated biomass ash were used to prepare the hydroponic solution, but the balance of nutrients had to be modified to achieve near optimal growth. The results were used to evaluate closure potential of water and inorganic elemental loops for integrated plant growth and human requirements.