Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm

First Year of Nitrate Removal at the Recharged NERF Denitrifying Bioreactor

Authors: Laura E. Christianson (Iowa State University) , Matthew J. Helmers (Iowa State University) , Carl H. Pederson (Iowa State University)

Abstract

Denitrifying bioreactors, also known as woodchip bioreactors or just “bioreactors”, clean nitrate from tile drainage water. There has been a bioreactor at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm (NERF) since 2009. In late summer 2024, this bioreactor was “recharged” meaning the woodchips were excavated and replaced. This report presents the first year of water monitoring results since the recharge.

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How to Cite: Christianson, L. E. , Helmers, M. J. & Pederson, C. H. (2026) “First Year of Nitrate Removal at the Recharged NERF Denitrifying Bioreactor”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports. 2025(1).