ASSESSING NUTRIENT CYCLING AND FOOD SAFETY OF POULTRY PROCESSING WASTEWATER FOR IRRIGATION IN CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE

1.Determine the impact of poultry processing wastewater treatment on yields of hydroponic lettuce production.2.Quantify the fate of pathogenic bacteria in poultry processing wastewater during the course of treatment and lettuce production.3.Quantify the fate and impact of antimicrobial agents found in poultry processing wastewater (e.g. peracetic acid, cetylpyridinium chloride) on lettuce production.4.Quantify nitrogen and phosphorus transformations and mass balance in wastewater treatment and hydroponic lettuce production.5.Calibrate and validate a process-based model for transformation of nutrients and antimicrobial agents during wastewater treatment and lettuce production.