To prove that the use of mycofiltration is beneficial in limiting phosphorus and nitrogen in water that causes algal blooms, we designed a test to measure the absorption rates of fungi. We used the mycelium of Stropharia rugosoannulata grown on Bio-Filter Island to test in the lab at our school. We are fortunate to work with a high school student named Hershel Agrawal who taught us about mycofiltration and donated to us the culture we use for our testing.
We created a system that water can flow through and that the fungi can grown in. First, we used a small pool and inside it, we mounted a smaller baby tub that had a drain in it. We then mixed wood chips with other materials such as cardboard so that the fungi would be able to grow on it. We drilled more holes on the sides of the smaller pool since the main drain would get clogged, and also the mushrooms would receive too much water. Next we created a drip plate by drilling holes in a plastic tray. Then, we added a pump that would cycle the water through the mushrooms and the bottom pool. Finally, we covered the top pool where the mushrooms were growing so they would have a shaded area to grow.
We created a system that water can flow through and that the fungi can grown in. First, we used a small pool and inside it, we mounted a smaller baby tub that had a drain in it. We then mixed wood chips with other materials such as cardboard so that the fungi would be able to grow on it. We drilled more holes on the sides of the smaller pool since the main drain would get clogged, and also the mushrooms would receive too much water. Next we created a drip plate by drilling holes in a plastic tray. Then, we added a pump that would cycle the water through the mushrooms and the bottom pool. Finally, we covered the top pool where the mushrooms were growing so they would have a shaded area to grow.
Constructing Testing Prototype
Trial #1 Data
Initial Testing Results
During our mycofiltration testing, we encountered some problems with our prototype design. Even though we drilled many holes in the baby tub and limited the flow of the small pump, we could not get the baby tub holding the wood chips and mycelium to drain properly. As a result, we lost a large portion of our mycelium culture. In order to correct this error, we purchased a timer and regulated the pump to flow for only 6 hours per day. On 1/4/16, we began Trial #2 of testing. Stay tuned for new data!
(Mycelium is best grown in sterile conditions and also, the materials mixed in with the woodchips, along with the woodchips themselves, released nitrates and other things which caused the numbers to increase.)
(Mycelium is best grown in sterile conditions and also, the materials mixed in with the woodchips, along with the woodchips themselves, released nitrates and other things which caused the numbers to increase.)
