Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.3390/en11113016
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Crop characteristics of aquatic macrophytes for use as a substrate in anaerobic digestion plants—A study from Germany
Author Moeller, L.; Bauer, A.; Wedwitschka, H.; Stinner, W.; Zehnsdorf, A.
Source Titel Energies
Year 2018
Department UBZ
Volume 11
Issue 11
Page From art. 3016
Language englisch
Keywords aquatic macrophytes; substrate; anaerobic digestion; crop characteristics; biogas; methane; aquatic biomass
Abstract Several thousand metric tonnes of aquatic biomass are removed from water bodies every year,
so that thesewaters can continue to be used for ship and boat traffic and for leisure activities. Themowed
material is generally disposed off without any further use. Therefore, the crop properties of samples
from 39 weed control measures all over Germany were examined to assess the suitability of aquatic
plant biomass as a substrate for anaerobic digestion systems. Analysis of the crop samples consisted
of the identification of plant species and the evaluation of sediment contents and concentrations of
macroelements. The methane yield was determined for selected aquatic plants. Analysis revealed a
carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) of between 10 and 20 in 74% of samples. The concentrations of nitrogen
and phosphorous in the samples were comparable to grass silages. With regard to heavy metal
concentrations, the threshold values for biowaste for nickel, zinc, and cadmium were exceeded in
three samples. There were no significant seasonal differences in substrate characteristics and qualities.
The specific methane yields of individual aquatic plants were between 142 and 372 LCH4/kg volatile
solids (VS). The results of this study showed that aquatic macrophytes can be used as substrates in
anaerobic digestion plants without any restrictions.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=21068
Moeller, L., Bauer, A., Wedwitschka, H., Stinner, W., Zehnsdorf, A. (2018):
Crop characteristics of aquatic macrophytes for use as a substrate in anaerobic digestion plants—A study from Germany
Energies 11 (11), art. 3016 10.3390/en11113016