The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of prospects for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus losses to the aquatic environment via the use of filters in the landscape.

Programme

International and Danish experts will present knowledge about filter measures, including constructed wetlands with and without filter matrix, bioreactors (compact filter matrix), bio-chemical reactors, controlled drainage, and buffer zones. The advantage of removing nutrients from wetlands via harvest of biomass (paludiculture) will also be presented.

9.00 Welcome and introduction

• The need for research based knowledge on instruments for reducing nutrient leaching from agriculture.
  Finn Plauborg, Aarhus University

9.15 Plenum 1: Drainage filter solutions 

• The use of free water surface constructed wetlands to remove nutrients from agricultural drainage.
  Prof. Ing. Jan Vymazal, Czech University of Life Sciences
  
• 25 years with constructed wetlands and IBZ in Sweden: Acceptance and efficiency, it is all about design. 
  Senior Project leader Peter Feuerbach, Hushållningssällskapet
  
• Surface-flow constructed wetlands and subsurface-flow biofilters targeting nutrient removal in agricultural drainage water. 
  Senior Scientist Charlotte Kjærgaard and Senior Scientist Carl Christian Hoffmann, Aarhus University

Short break 

• Water treatment in intensified constructed wetlands. 
  Hans Brix, Aarhus University
  
• Bioreactors, saturated buffers and controlled drainage and their efficiencies in removing nitrogen from subsurface drainage water. 
  Research Scientist Jeppe Kjaersgaard, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  
• Intelligent Buffer Zones (IBZs) as filters for nitrogen and phosphorus from tile drainage water and surface runoff – experiences from BufferTech. 
  Research Professor Brian Kronvang and Postdoc Dominik Zak, Aarhus University, Sara Egemose and Henning Jensen, University of Southern Denmark

12.15 Lunch

13.15 Parallel session 1: Controlled Drainage 

• Controlled drainage as a measure to retain water and nutrients in the soil. 
  Senior Lecturer Ingrid Wesström, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
  
• Controlled drainage as measure to reduce nitrate leaching. Results and perspectives obtained from Danish field trials. 
  Senior scientist Christen Duus Børgesen, Aarhus University and chief consultant Søren Kolind Hvid, SEGES
  
• High-frequency monitoring of water fluxes and nutrient loads to assess the effects of controlled drainage on the field scale water balance, flow routes, water storage and nutrient transport. 
  Researcher Joachim Rozemeijer, Deltares

13.15 Parallel session 2: Removal of nutrients via wetlands and fallow areas

• Can harvest of wetland biomass increase nutrient removal from the water?
  Researcher Thomas Prade, Ph.D., Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
  
• Using paludiculture to remove N and P from runoff and former agricultural soils. 
  Junior Scientist Renske Vroom, Radboud University

13.15 Parallel session 3: Drivers for implementation

• Drivers of Conservation Drainage Practice Implementation in the US Midwest 
  Research Scientist Jeppe Kjaersgaard, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
  
• Drivers for implementation of landscape scale measures in Denmark. 
  Professor MSO Tommy Dalgaard & PhD student Morten Graversgaard, Aarhus University

14.15 Break

14.30 Plenum 2: Economics

• What is the cost effectiveness of filters and which data are required for the calculation? 
• Senior researcher Brian Jacobsen, University of Copenhagen

15.00 Plenum 3: Status and perspectives

Joint discussion on: 

• What is the status for use of filters and other methods for removal of N and P?
• What are the perspectives for the use of filters?
• What are the needs for research?

16.00 End of conference

Target groups

The target groups comprise experts from national and local authorities, agricultural organisations, NGOs, agricultural and engineering consultancies.

Registration

Please note that the number of available seats are limited; early registration is therefore recommended. Please register by April 12 at the latest.

Participation is free, but AU will charge a "no show fee" if you are registered, but do not attend.

Further information

For further information on venue including possibilities for accommodation, please see www.vilcon.dk 

For practical information, please contact:
Jytte Christensen
E-mail: jytte.christensen@agro.au.dk
Phone: +45 8715 8015 
Mobile: +45 2342 3538

The scientific programme is prepared by 

Senior Scientist Finn Plauborg 
Dept. of Agroecology at Aarhus University
Email: finn.plauborg@agro.au.dk
Mobile: +45 2218 1809