Research Article

Investigation of potential use of agricultural wastes for nitrate removal from groundwater in biowall systems

Number: 13 July 3, 2026
TR EN

Investigation of potential use of agricultural wastes for nitrate removal from groundwater in biowall systems

Abstract

Background and Aims In this study, the performance of some organic residues that can be used in biowall systems for the removal of nitrate pollution commonly observed in groundwater was investigated. In laboratory-scale experiments, banana pseudostem, chestnut shell and rice husk were used as reactive materials in the biowall system. Methods Organic materials were used as a carbon source to for the denitrifying bacteria to remove nitrate from solution. Batch reactor experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of retention time on nitrate removal efficiency. Results The highest removal efficiencies were obtained after 330 hours. According to the results, nitrate removal efficiencies were 93% for banana pseudostem, 52% for chestnut shell, and 98% for rice husk. Conclusion The results indicate that organic wastes can be used as alternative filling materials in permeable reactive barrier systems.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Project Number

PYO.MUH.1904.1001.010

Ethical Statement

All methods used in this study were conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant ethics committees. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the preparation and publication of this study. Furthermore, it is affirmed that all data and materials used in this study were obtained and utilized in compliance with scientific ethical standards.

Thanks

This study was carried out within the scope of the project numbered PYO.MUH.1904.1001.010, supported by Ondokuz Mayıs University. The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to Ondokuz Mayıs University for their valuable support and contributions.

References

  1. Alexander, M.L., Adeniran, A., Tovar, C., 2017. Modeling of water quality downgradient of a mulch biowall. Remediation, 28, 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1002/rem.21542.
  2. Barbieri, E., Henriques, M.B., 2026. Nitrite toxicity in yellowtail tetra fish, Astyanax lacustris, at different temperature levels. Aquaculture Reports, 46, 103270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.103270.
  3. Chen, L., Ma, D., Liu, Z., Huo, Y., Wu, S., Chen, L., Zhang, J., 2024. Continuous shallow groundwater decline and accidental extreme precipitation control the soil nitrate leaching of a well-irrigated area in the North China Plain. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 52, 101727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2024.101727.
  4. Das, P., Penton, C.R., Bi, Y., Westerhoff, P., 2023. Unraveling mechanisms behind reduced nitrate leaching with graphite nanomaterials addition with fertilizers in soil column experiments. Chemosphere, 337, 139417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139417.
  5. El Mrabet, I., Benzina, M., Valdés, H., Zaitan, H., 2020. Treatment of landfill leachates from Fez city (Morocco) using a sequence of aerobic and Fenton processes. Scientific African, 8, e00434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00434.
  6. Fan, Y., Essington, M., Jagadamma, S., Zhuang, J., Schwartz, J., Lee, J., 2022. The global significance of abiotic factors affecting nitrate removal in woodchip bioreactors. Science of the Total Environment 848, 157739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157739.
  7. Feng, B., Zhong, Y., He, J., Sha, X., Qi, Y., Zhang, X., Fang, L., Guan, J., Ma, Y., Yang, F., 2025. Effects of hydrochemistry and hydrodynamics on nitrogen transformation processes and functional gene abundance in sediments of Shahu Lake, China. Ecohydrology, 18(8), e70143. https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.70143.
  8. Feng, H.G., Wang, H.L., Jing, L.X., 2011. Mixture of walnut shell and sand used to nitrate removal in groundwater. Advanced Materials Research, 356–360, 459–466. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.356-360.459.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Watershed Management in Forestry

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 3, 2026

Submission Date

April 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 13

APA
Özdemir Yarar, N., Özkaraova, E. B., & Ulu, H. B. (2026). Investigation of potential use of agricultural wastes for nitrate removal from groundwater in biowall systems. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, 13, 1927157. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1927157
AMA
1.Özdemir Yarar N, Özkaraova EB, Ulu HB. Investigation of potential use of agricultural wastes for nitrate removal from groundwater in biowall systems. AJFR. 2026;(13):1927157. doi:10.53516/ajfr.1927157
Chicago
Özdemir Yarar, Neşe, Emre Burcu Özkaraova, and Hatice Bike Ulu. 2026. “Investigation of Potential Use of Agricultural Wastes for Nitrate Removal from Groundwater in Biowall Systems”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, nos. 13: 1927157. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1927157.
EndNote
Özdemir Yarar N, Özkaraova EB, Ulu HB (July 1, 2026) Investigation of potential use of agricultural wastes for nitrate removal from groundwater in biowall systems. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi 13 1927157.
IEEE
[1]N. Özdemir Yarar, E. B. Özkaraova, and H. B. Ulu, “Investigation of potential use of agricultural wastes for nitrate removal from groundwater in biowall systems”, AJFR, no. 13, p. 1927157, July 2026, doi: 10.53516/ajfr.1927157.
ISNAD
Özdemir Yarar, Neşe - Özkaraova, Emre Burcu - Ulu, Hatice Bike. “Investigation of Potential Use of Agricultural Wastes for Nitrate Removal from Groundwater in Biowall Systems”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi. 13 (July 1, 2026): 1927157. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1927157.
JAMA
1.Özdemir Yarar N, Özkaraova EB, Ulu HB. Investigation of potential use of agricultural wastes for nitrate removal from groundwater in biowall systems. AJFR. 2026;:1927157.
MLA
Özdemir Yarar, Neşe, et al. “Investigation of Potential Use of Agricultural Wastes for Nitrate Removal from Groundwater in Biowall Systems”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, no. 13, July 2026, p. 1927157, doi:10.53516/ajfr.1927157.
Vancouver
1.Neşe Özdemir Yarar, Emre Burcu Özkaraova, Hatice Bike Ulu. Investigation of potential use of agricultural wastes for nitrate removal from groundwater in biowall systems. AJFR. 2026 Jul. 1;(13):1927157. doi:10.53516/ajfr.1927157