A high level of nitrate in water due to excessive use of fertilizers is one of the main causes of drinking water pollution and is an ecological problem worldwide
BGN Technologies, the technology commercialization company of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, presents a new technology for direct and continuous measurement, in real time, of nitrate (nitrate) levels in the soil.
Natural nitrate levels in groundwater are often extremely low. However, excessive use of fertilizers in agriculture often causes nitrate to leak from the soil into the water reservoirs. A high level of nitrate in water is one of the main causes of drinking water pollution, and is an ecological problem worldwide.
The technology, developed by Prof. Ofer Dahan from the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Prof. Shlomi Arnon from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Elad Yeshanu, a PhD student at the Zuckerberg Institute, relies on an optical nitrate sensor based on absorption spectroscopy. The technology enables continuous and real-time measurement of nitrate levels in the soil plate, and is particularly resistant to harsh chemical substances and physical soil conditions. The sensor can detect nitrate concentrations in the range of tens to hundreds of parts per million (ppm), which is the relevant range for growing crops. The ability to continuously monitor the nitrate level in the soil provides a very detailed picture of the changing concentrations of nitrate in the groundwater.
Prof. Arnon said, "Our solution makes it possible to optimize the provision of fertilizers and thus prevent over-fertilization, save on the required irrigation and reduce pollution of water sources."
Prof. Ofer Dahan added, "The methods that exist today for measuring the nitrate level in the soil are cumbersome, require a lot of work and do not provide real-time data regarding the concentration of nutrients in the soil. Our invention, which enables real-time monitoring of nitrate levels in the soil, can provide farmers with valuable data regarding the amount of nutrients available for crops."
Shirley Shafer Hoffman, senior vice president for business development, water, energy and agriculture at BGN Technologies, said, "This is another example of the groundbreaking and multidisciplinary research that is being carried out at the Yaakov Blaustein Institute for Desert Research at Ben-Gurion University, which focuses on water, energy, food and ecology issues under various environments, in collaboration with researchers in the department of electrical and computer engineering at the university. This promising project receives funding from the Innovation Authority, and now BGN Technologies is looking for a business partner for its further development and commercialization."
