Hackuarium - User contributions [en]

File:Experiment Plan 11.08.2015 - attach to wiki.pdf

2015-08-17T15:47:46Z

Alecoloop: Alecoloop uploaded a new version of "File:Experiment Plan 11.08.2015 - attach to wiki.pdf"

shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones.

Edible wall

2015-08-17T15:46:16Z

Alecoloop: /* Experimental plan */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===
It’s not just pots of plants stacked above each other. It’s not just an outdoor garden fertilised from time to time by urine. It’s not exactly a hydroponic system. All or these are already known. We have a combination of all, tadam...

''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 
 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg | Grodan in empty panels
</gallery>

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 

We will also need to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation, which also causes damages, such as late maturation, increased sensitivity to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in humans consuming them. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.
L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.
Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.

[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png |thumb|center| concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]



=== Questions for experiments===
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

== People involved ==

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).

* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Experiments of nitrification (series Nx)

*** Grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
*** Preliminary odour test
***Test the nitrification in Grodan (our soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils

** Dilution tests

* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls

* Integration of air filtration
** Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”. Details will come later.

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

 
<gallery>
File:Figure-from-experiment-plan-11-08-15.png | General experimental plan
File:Sequence-exps-Nx 11-08-15.png | Logical sequence of experiments
</gallery>

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T15:42:15Z

Alecoloop: /* Activities */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===
It’s not just pots of plants stacked above each other. It’s not just an outdoor garden fertilised from time to time by urine. It’s not exactly a hydroponic system. All or these are already known. We have a combination of all, tadam...

''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 
 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg | Grodan in empty panels
</gallery>

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 

We will also need to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation, which also causes damages, such as late maturation, increased sensitivity to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in humans consuming them. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.
L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.
Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.

[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png |thumb|center| concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]



=== Questions for experiments===
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

== People involved ==

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).

* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Experiments of nitrification (series Nx)

*** Grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
*** Preliminary odour test
***Test the nitrification in Grodan (our soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils

** Dilution tests

* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls

* Integration of air filtration
** Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”. Details will come later.

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

[[File:Figure-from-experiment-plan-11-08-15.png | General experimental plan]]
[[File:Sequence-exps-Nx 11-08-15.png | Logical sequence of experiments]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

File:Sequence-exps-Nx 11-08-15.png

2015-08-17T15:39:55Z

Alecoloop:

Edible wall

2015-08-17T15:37:46Z

Alecoloop: /* Activities */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===
It’s not just pots of plants stacked above each other. It’s not just an outdoor garden fertilised from time to time by urine. It’s not exactly a hydroponic system. All or these are already known. We have a combination of all, tadam...

''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 
 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg | Grodan in empty panels
</gallery>

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 

We will also need to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation, which also causes damages, such as late maturation, increased sensitivity to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in humans consuming them. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.
L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.
Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.

[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png |thumb|center| concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]



=== Questions for experiments===
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

== People involved ==

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Experiments of nitrification (series Nx)

*** Grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
*** Preliminary odour test
***Test the nitrification in Grodan (our soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils

** Dilution tests

* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

[[File:Figure-from-experiment-plan-11-08-15.png | General experimental plan]]

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

File:Figure-from-experiment-plan-11-08-15.png

2015-08-17T15:11:20Z

Alecoloop:

Edible wall

2015-08-17T15:04:40Z

Alecoloop: /* People involved */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===
It’s not just pots of plants stacked above each other. It’s not just an outdoor garden fertilised from time to time by urine. It’s not exactly a hydroponic system. All or these are already known. We have a combination of all, tadam...

''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 
 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg | Grodan in empty panels
</gallery>

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 

We will also need to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation, which also causes damages, such as late maturation, increased sensitivity to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in humans consuming them. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.
L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.
Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.

[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png |thumb|center| concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]



=== Questions for experiments===
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

== People involved ==

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T15:03:41Z

Alecoloop: Undo revision 5251 by Alecoloop (talk)

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===
It’s not just pots of plants stacked above each other. It’s not just an outdoor garden fertilised from time to time by urine. It’s not exactly a hydroponic system. All or these are already known. We have a combination of all, tadam...

''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 
 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg | Grodan in empty panels
</gallery>

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 

We will also need to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation, which also causes damages, such as late maturation, increased sensitivity to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in humans consuming them. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.
L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.
Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.

[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png |thumb|center| concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]



=== Questions for experiments===
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T14:57:03Z

Alecoloop: /* Specific objectives */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===
It’s not just pots of plants stacked above each other. It’s not just an outdoor garden fertilised from time to time by urine. It’s not exactly a hydroponic system. All or these are already known. We have a combination of all, tadam...

''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 
 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg | Grodan in empty panels
</gallery>

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 

We will also need to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation, which also causes damages, such as late maturation, increased sensitivity to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in humans consuming them. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.
L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.
Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.

[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png | Concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]



=== Questions for experiments===
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T14:55:51Z

Alecoloop: /* Specific objectives */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===
It’s not just pots of plants stacked above each other. It’s not just an outdoor garden fertilised from time to time by urine. It’s not exactly a hydroponic system. All or these are already known. We have a combination of all, tadam...

''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 
 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg | Grodan in empty panels
</gallery>

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 

We will also need to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilisation, which also causes damages, such as late maturation, increased sensitivity to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in humans consuming them. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.
L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.
Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.

[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png |thumb|center| concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]



=== Questions for experiments===
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T14:45:02Z

Alecoloop: /* System description and constraints */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===
It’s not just pots of plants stacked above each other. It’s not just an outdoor garden fertilised from time to time by urine. It’s not exactly a hydroponic system. All or these are already known. We have a combination of all, tadam...

''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 
 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg | Grodan in empty panels
</gallery>

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png |thumb|center| concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]

'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T14:40:32Z

Alecoloop: /* Specific objectives */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



[[File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png |thumb|center| concept of nitrification in the living wall panels. In red: nitrogen conversion steps. In green and blue: bacteria and key factors necessary for the process.]]

'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Editing the wiki

2015-08-17T14:36:34Z

Alecoloop: /* Uploading a file, such as an image */

== Wiki for dummies ==
You're joining Hackuarium and are also new to wikis, you may find this useful to start.

=== Create an account ===
* It's easy to [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin/signup create an account]
* Become a ''Trusted'' User: Ask an admin e.g. [[User:Sam|Sam]] to give you the rights. Best reaction time if you are already an [[Hackuarium]] member = mention on [[Slack]], channel [https://hackuarium.slack.com/messages/wg-onlinetools #wg-onlinetools]. '''If you are not (yet) an Hackuarium member and have any issue, send an email to wiki AT hackuarium DOT ch'''

=== Create a page ===
# '''Search''' your title keyword (upper right) on wiki.hackuarium.ch, to make sure the page doesn't exist yet. ! Case sensitive
# Create according to the suggestion 
# Make sure to create a '''link to that page''' on another page! Typically, list your new ''active project'' in the section [[Hackuarium | Projects]]

=== Quick Syntax Basics from Wikimedia ===
==== General Documentation ====
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Cheatsheet
* https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples
==== Inserting References ====
Everything you need to know is [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Extension:Cite here].
==== Going further ====
Consult the [//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]

=== Different on our wiki ===
Some things don't work exactly like the instructions from wikipedia above.
==== Uploading a file, such as an image ====
# Uploading a file = creating a special page for it here: http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Special:Upload
# On your page, create an internal link with the usual syntax. Examples of code:

<nowiki> [[File:File-name.jpg|thumb|left|Legend in the box]] </nowiki> will put an image in a frame, on the left of the text, with a legend.

<nowiki> [[File:document-name.pdf]] </nowiki> will link to the versioning page, where you can open the document.

<nowiki> [[Media:document-name.pdf]] </nowiki> will open directly the document in the browser

<nowiki> [[Media:document-name.pdf | New name]] </nowiki> try it!

== Special rules and pages at wiki.Hackuarium ==
=== Structure ===
The structure should be found one day around http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Mode_d%27emploi
In the mean time, please see Category:Manual

=== EN vs FR versions ===

=== Communication ===
[[Slack]] channel: #wg-doc
 For troubleshooting only: #wg-onlinetools

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Work In Progress]]

File:Shema-key-concepts-nitrification.png

2015-08-17T14:30:58Z

Alecoloop:

Edible wall

2015-08-17T13:56:08Z

Alecoloop: /* News: */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!

22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans

23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T13:55:02Z

Alecoloop: /* News: */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!
22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] Here's our small [[Media:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation_22-07-2015.pdf | presentation]] of project plans
23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

File:Edible-Wall-openHackuarium-presentation 22-07-2015.pdf

2015-08-17T13:53:21Z

Alecoloop:

Edible wall

2015-08-17T13:48:18Z

Alecoloop: /* Activities */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This file shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones:
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

=== News: ===
::<li> 13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!
::<li> 22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
::<li> 23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Editing the wiki

2015-08-17T13:39:29Z

Alecoloop: /* Uploading a file, such as an image */

== Wiki for dummies ==
You're joining Hackuarium and are also new to wikis, you may find this useful to start.

=== Create an account ===
* It's easy to [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin/signup create an account]
* Become a ''Trusted'' User: Ask an admin e.g. [[User:Sam|Sam]] to give you the rights. Best reaction time if you are already an [[Hackuarium]] member = mention on [[Slack]], channel [https://hackuarium.slack.com/messages/wg-onlinetools #wg-onlinetools]. '''If you are not (yet) an Hackuarium member and have any issue, send an email to wiki AT hackuarium DOT ch'''

=== Create a page ===
# '''Search''' your title keyword (upper right) on wiki.hackuarium.ch, to make sure the page doesn't exist yet. ! Case sensitive
# Create according to the suggestion 
# Make sure to create a '''link to that page''' on another page! Typically, list your new ''active project'' in the section [[Hackuarium | Projects]]

=== Quick Syntax Basics from Wikimedia ===
==== General Documentation ====
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Cheatsheet
* https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples
==== Inserting References ====
Everything you need to know is [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Extension:Cite here].
==== Going further ====
Consult the [//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]

=== Different on our wiki ===
Some things don't work exactly like the instructions from wikipedia above.
==== Uploading a file, such as an image ====
# Uploading a file = creating a special page for it here: http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Special:Upload
# On your page, create an internal link with the usual syntax. Examples of code:
<nowiki> [[File:File-name.jpg|thumb|left|Legend in the box]] </nowiki> will put an image in a frame, on the left of the text, with a legend.
<nowiki> [[File:document-name.pdf]] </nowiki> will link to the versioning page, where you can open the document.
<nowiki> [[Media:document-name.pdf]] </nowiki> will open directly the document in the browser
<nowiki> [[Media:document-name.pdf | New name]] </nowiki> try it!

== Special rules and pages at wiki.Hackuarium ==
=== Structure ===
The structure should be found one day around http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Mode_d%27emploi
In the mean time, please see Category:Manual

=== EN vs FR versions ===

=== Communication ===
[[Slack]] channel: #wg-doc
 For troubleshooting only: #wg-onlinetools

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Work In Progress]]

Editing the wiki

2015-08-17T13:29:00Z

Alecoloop:

== Wiki for dummies ==
You're joining Hackuarium and are also new to wikis, you may find this useful to start.

=== Create an account ===
* It's easy to [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin/signup create an account]
* Become a ''Trusted'' User: Ask an admin e.g. [[User:Sam|Sam]] to give you the rights. Best reaction time if you are already an [[Hackuarium]] member = mention on [[Slack]], channel [https://hackuarium.slack.com/messages/wg-onlinetools #wg-onlinetools]. '''If you are not (yet) an Hackuarium member and have any issue, send an email to wiki AT hackuarium DOT ch'''

=== Create a page ===
# '''Search''' your title keyword (upper right) on wiki.hackuarium.ch, to make sure the page doesn't exist yet. ! Case sensitive
# Create according to the suggestion 
# Make sure to create a '''link to that page''' on another page! Typically, list your new ''active project'' in the section [[Hackuarium | Projects]]

=== Quick Syntax Basics from Wikimedia ===
==== General Documentation ====
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Cheatsheet
* https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples
==== Inserting References ====
Everything you need to know is [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Extension:Cite here].
==== Going further ====
Consult the [//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]

=== Different on our wiki ===
Some things don't work exactly like the instructions from wikipedia above.
==== Uploading a file, such as an image ====
# Uploading a file = creating a special page for it here: http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Special:Upload
# On your page, create an internal link with the usual syntax. Example of code: <nowiki> [[File:File-name.extension|thumb|left|Legend in the box]] </nowiki>

== Special rules and pages at wiki.Hackuarium ==
=== Structure ===
The structure should be found one day around http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Mode_d%27emploi
In the mean time, please see Category:Manual

=== EN vs FR versions ===

=== Communication ===
[[Slack]] channel: #wg-doc
 For troubleshooting only: #wg-onlinetools

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Work In Progress]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T13:26:05Z

Alecoloop: /* Experimental plan */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This [[Media:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]
shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones.

[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

==== News: ====
::<li> 13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!
::<li> 22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
::<li> 23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T13:22:49Z

Alecoloop: /* Experimental plan */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This [[Media:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]
shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones.
[[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]

==== News: ====
::<li> 13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!
::<li> 22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
::<li> 23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T13:20:29Z

Alecoloop: /* Experimental plan */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This [[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]
[[Media:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎ | document]]
shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones.

==== News: ====
::<li> 13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!
::<li> 22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
::<li> 23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T13:07:51Z

Alecoloop: /* News: */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This [[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎|document]]

shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones.

==== News: ====
::<li> 13.07.2015 We've received the empty modules!
::<li> 22.07.2015 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
::<li> 23.07.2015 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T13:05:48Z

Alecoloop: /* Activities */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2 or links to separate pages).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Experimental plan ===
This [[File:Experiment_Plan_11.08.2015_-_attach_to_wiki.pdf‎|document]]

shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones.

==== News: ====
::<li>'''13.07.2015''' We've received the empty modules!
::<li>'''22.07.2015''' [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
::<li>'''23.07.2015''' First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

File:Experiment Plan 11.08.2015 - attach to wiki.pdf

2015-08-17T12:43:32Z

Alecoloop: shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones.

shows an overview of the experiments planned, to which questions they should answer, and their sequence depending on the results of the first ones.

Editing the wiki

2015-08-17T12:37:15Z

Alecoloop: /* Uploading an image or media */

== Wiki for dummies ==
You're joining Hackuarium and are also new to wikis, you may find this useful to start.

=== Create an account ===
* It's easy to [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin/signup create an account]
* Become a ''Trusted'' User: Ask an admin e.g. [[User:Sam|Sam]] or [[User:Shalf|Shalf]]. Best reaction time if you are already an [[Hackuarium]] member = mention on [[Slack]], chan [https://hackuarium.slack.com/messages/wg-onlinetools #wg-onlinetools]. '''If you are not (yet) an Hackuarium member and have any issue, send an email to wiki AT hackuarium DOT ch'''

=== Create a page ===
# '''Search''' your title keyword (upper right) on wiki.hackuarium.ch, to make sure the page doesn't exist yet. ! Case sensitive
# Create according to the suggestion 
# Make sure to create a '''link to that page''' on another page! Typically, list your new ''active project'' in the section [[Hackuarium | Projects]]

=== Quick Syntax Basics from Wikimedia ===
==== General Documentation ====
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Cheatsheet
* https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples
==== Inserting References ====
Everything you need to know is [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Extension:Cite here].
==== Going further ====
Consult the [//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]

=== Different on our wiki ===
Some things don't work exactly like the instructions from wikipedia above.
==== Uploading a file, such as an image ====
# Uploading a file = creating a special page for it here: http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Special:Upload
# On your page, create an internal link with the usual syntax. Example of code: <nowiki> [[File:File-name.extension|thumb|left|Legend in the box]] </nowiki>

== Special rules and pages at wiki.Hackuarium ==
=== Structure ===
The structure should be found one day around http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Mode_d%27emploi
In the mean time, please see Category:Manual

=== EN vs FR versions ===

=== Communication ===
[[Slack]] channel: #wg-doc
 For troubleshooting only: #wg-onlinetools

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Work In Progress]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T12:32:50Z

Alecoloop: /* People involved */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]] and also Clément Drévo., Miram Ryf …
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-17T12:11:24Z

Alecoloop: /* Specific objectives */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading to a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the reuse of urine for agriculture by reading [[reuse of urine | this]].

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” currently consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool called [http://www.grodan.fr/ Grodan] (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because:
* Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant <ref name=hydroponiefr1 /><ref name=wikinitrateammonium1 />.
* Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as late maturation, sensibility to pests, as well as nitrates accumulating in plants and ultimately reducing blood oxygenation in our organism. <ref name=hydroponiefr2>
"Les premiers signes d’un surdosage en engrais riche en azote est un feuillage vert foncé….Attention cependant à ne pas confondre les excès d’azote avec les carence en phosphore.

L’excès d’azote contribue à développer une grosse masse foliaire au dépend du système racinaire. Cette surabondance d’ions azotée concourt au retard de la floraison chez de nombreuse plantes.

Les solutions nutritives avec excès d’azote entraînent diverses conséquences sur le plan cultural :

– Un excès de végétation peut provoquer un recul de la maturité des plantes,

– Les plantes sont plus sensibles aux attaques des ravageurs et aux maladies fongiques (botrytis, mildiou, oïdium). Cela est le contrecoup de l’excès de végétation : les tissus (tiges, feuilles) sont tendres et constitue une barrière trop fragile pour s’opposer aux pathogènes.

– Enfin, une sur-fertilisation en azote, en plus de la détérioration des qualités gustatives, entraîne une teneur excessive en nitrates dans les légumes (essentiellement les légumes feuilles tel la laitue Il n’y a pas de danger pour les légumes-fruit comme les Tomates, Concombres). L’excès de nitrates chez l’homme causent une baisse de l’oxygénation du sang."

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>.


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
Once we figured out the urine fertigation issue, we will identify edible & useful plants adapted to the urine-based nutrients mix. We will also try to design vegetal communities with beneficial symbiotic interactions between plants through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants companion planting]. Companion planting may ease pest control and foster synergetic growth between different species.

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''

We want to :
* Avoid odours: especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings.
* Find the ideal urine dilution: to provide the nutrients required by our plants mix, while to avoiding excessive fertilisation and ammonium toxicity. 
* Nitrify urine with the simplest possible system: ideally in the panels.

In fact, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, as they are are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition.
<ref name="Shinohara2008">
Shinohara, M., Ohmori, H., & Uehara, Y. (2008). Microbial ecosystem constructed in water for successful organic hydroponics. Nature Precedings.
</ref>
<ref name="hydroponiefr1">
“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/
</ref>
<ref name="wikinitrateammonium1">
“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante. [...] La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9
</ref>

This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium <ref name="hydroponiefr1" /><ref name="wikinitrateammonium1" />. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification nitrification]. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria and sufficient oxygenation <ref name="wikinitrification1">"Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref>. It is generally the case in soil… <ref name="wikinitrification2"> "In most environments, organisms are present that will complete both steps of the process." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrification</ref> but how about in our living walls, in our soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in Grodan' (our soil substitute), and then proceed to test 'nitrification in modules' (fully assembled living wall modules). 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & [[User:Michka|Michka]] (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., Myriam … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrification in aquarium – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria (NA)
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in Grodan (soil substrate) (NG)
*** experiment NG1 - Grodan samples, initial inoculation, several urine dilutions tested
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture (NA) ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Projects]]

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:16:28Z

Alecoloop: /* Specific objectives */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [Ref1][Ref2] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [Ref1][Ref2]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== Temporary reference section ==
* [Ref1]

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/

“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

* [Ref2]

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9

“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante.”

“La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:15:28Z

Alecoloop: /* Temporary reference section */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [Ref1] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [Ref1]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== Temporary reference section ==
* [Ref1]

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/

“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

* [Ref2]

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate_d%27ammonium#.C3.89cotoxicit.C3.A9

“Au delà d'une certaine dose, l'amonitrate est toxique pour les plantes dites « supérieures » et a été étudiée chez d'autres organismes modèles ou bioindicateurs potentiels (paramécies, mousse, lichens)11 ; cette toxicité se traduit chez la plupart des espèces par une réduction de la croissance, des feuilles plus petites et un retard de développement du système racinaire. A dose plus importante, les symptômes d'une chlorose apparaissent et peuvent conduire à la mort de la plante.”

“La toxicité de l'ion ammonium pour les plantes est encore imparfaitement connue ; elle est généralement attribué à un effet synergique associant :
• une carence nutritive induite par l'excès d'ammonium (qui altère l'absorption des ions métalliques) ;
• une acidification du milieu d'enracinement (qui inhibe la croissance racinaire secondaire) ;
• une perturbation de l'équilibre osmotique de la plante (par modifications du pH intracellulaire) ;
• un désaccouplement du phénomène de photophosphorylation liée au transport d'électrons, suite à l'accumulation d'ions ammonium dans les feuilles ;
• l'altération du métabolisme des phytohormones et de la polyamine.”

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:12:36Z

Alecoloop: /* Temporary reference section */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [Ref1] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [Ref1]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== Temporary reference section ==
* [Ref1]

“Cette forme d’azote peut s’avérer toxique selon le type de plante et leur stade de croissance. Ainsi, les jeunes pieds de tomates font une grosse consommation d’ion NH4+.
L’azote ammoniacale est prélevé en premier par les plantes, avant les ions nitrates.
Toujours est-il qu’une plante peut se nourrir exclusivement d’ions NO3–, mais que l’apport unique d’ion ammonium NH4+ est toxique pour les végétaux.
On rencontre cet ions ammonium dans la solution nutritive suite à la dissociation de sels de phosphate d’ammonium (NH4 H2PO4 ) surtout dans le but d’apporter des ions phosphates.
Cependant, dans la solution nutritive l’ion ammonium fait concurrence au prélèvement d’ions K+, Mg++, Ca++.
Le professeur Morard recommande que l’ion ammonium NH4+ n’excède pas 10% de l’azote assimilable contenu dans une solution nutritive.”

http://hydroponie.fr/azote/

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:11:12Z

Alecoloop: /* Specific objectives */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [Ref1] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [Ref1]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== Temporary reference section ==

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:10:02Z

Alecoloop:

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

== Temporary reference section ==

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:02:48Z

Alecoloop: /* Contact */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:02:13Z

Alecoloop: /* Contact */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]
<ref>content</ref>

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:00:42Z

Alecoloop: /* Contact */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:00:30Z

Alecoloop: /* Contact */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]] <ref> content </ref>

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

Edible wall

2015-08-11T15:00:15Z

Alecoloop: /* Contact */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]] <ref>content</ref>

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

Let's do it - template for experiment section

2015-08-10T09:39:08Z

Alecoloop:

== About this page ==

This is a template for pages about experiments or prototyping activities… Contributions or comment are more than welcome, directly here or on [[Slack]] #wg-doc !

Idea:
;if a project contains several parts
: for an overview and link to project parts > Main project page
: details by group of activities or experiments > In separate pages such as this one

copy to your page, then ''adapt or delete sections as relevant''!

== Introduction ==
=== Context ===
This is a part of project [[Name of main page | Name of project xxx]].
It is about experiments related to yyy / a succession of prototypes for yyy

=== People ===
Contact and lead:
*
Participants:
*
=== Objectives ===


; Objective
; Setup in short

== Background & Inspiration ==
=== Some theory needed ? ===

=== Inspiration / References / Similar projects ===
Inspiration: good wiki pages
* [http://fablabo.net/wiki/Pile_microbienne#Atelier doc of a workshop with many quick prototypes created]
* [Link 2]

== Run / prototype #1==


=== Setup description ===
General principle:

[[File:sketch-of-cool-exp-E1.JPG|300px|thumb|right|set up for run 1]]

=== Materials & budget ===
* What, size | quantity | where to get it | price / unit

=== (If it’s a) Construction ===

Step 1 in pictures: 
<gallery>
File:name-of-file_1.jpg
File:name-of-file_2.jpg
</gallery>

==== (If it’s an experiment) Parameters ====
;To vary | Values
: p1 |
: p2 |

; Constants (Key elements of set-up)
: c1 |
: c2

; To measure/ observe
: m1
: m2

=== Protocol (Plan) ===
==== Startup ====
==== Phase 1 ====
do what | frequency | duration

=== Lab Notebook & News (Real) ===
We put our measures here: [link to other doc?]

== Run / prototype #2==

What's new compared to #1:

== Results / Feedback from use ==
== Recommendation + next steps ==

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Manual]]

Let's do it - template for experiment section

2015-08-10T09:38:10Z

Alecoloop:

== About this page ==

This is a template for pages about experiments or prototyping activities… Contributions or comment are welcome on [[Slack]] #wg-doc

Idea:
;if a project contains several parts
: for an overview and link to project parts > Main project page
: details by group of activities or experiments > In separate pages such as this one

copy to your page, then ''adapt or delete sections as relevant''!

== Introduction ==
=== Context ===
This is a part of project [[Name of main page | Name of project xxx]].
It is about experiments related to yyy / a succession of prototypes for yyy

=== People ===
Contact and lead:
*
Participants:
*
=== Objectives ===


; Objective
; Setup in short

== Background & Inspiration ==
=== Some theory needed ? ===

=== Inspiration / References / Similar projects ===
Inspiration: good wiki pages
* [http://fablabo.net/wiki/Pile_microbienne#Atelier doc of a workshop with many quick prototypes created]
* [Link 2]

== Run / prototype #1==


=== Setup description ===
General principle:

[[File:sketch-of-cool-exp-E1.JPG|300px|thumb|right|set up for run 1]]

=== Materials & budget ===
* What, size | quantity | where to get it | price / unit

=== (If it’s a) Construction ===

Step 1 in pictures: 
<gallery>
File:name-of-file_1.jpg
File:name-of-file_2.jpg
</gallery>

==== (If it’s an experiment) Parameters ====
;To vary | Values
: p1 |
: p2 |

; Constants (Key elements of set-up)
: c1 |
: c2

; To measure/ observe
: m1
: m2

=== Protocol (Plan) ===
==== Startup ====
==== Phase 1 ====
do what | frequency | duration

=== Lab Notebook & News (Real) ===
We put our measures here: [link to other doc?]

== Run / prototype #2==

What's new compared to #1:

== Results / Feedback from use ==
== Recommendation + next steps ==

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Manual]]

Edible wall

2015-07-30T14:56:17Z

Alecoloop: /* News: */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans
23.07.15 First results: our nitrifying culture is active!

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

Edible wall

2015-07-30T14:54:16Z

Alecoloop: /* People involved */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living walls inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them especially to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

Let's do it - template for experiment section

2015-07-29T15:36:00Z

Alecoloop:

Page Name (?) Cool experiment / prototyping activity

== About this page ==

This is an attempt of template… Contributions or comment are welcome on [[Slack]] #wg-doc

Idea:
;if a project contains several parts
: for an overview and link to project parts > Main project page
: details by group of activities or experiments > In separate pages such as this one

copy to your page, then ''adapt or delete sections as relevant''!

== Introduction ==
=== Context ===
This is a part of project [[Name of main page | Name of project xxx]].
It is about experiments related to yyy / a succession of prototypes for yyy

=== People ===
Contact and lead:
*
Participants:
*
=== Objectives ===


; Objective
; Setup in short

== Background & Inspiration ==
=== Some theory needed ? ===

=== Inspiration / References / Similar projects ===
Inspiration: good wiki pages
* [http://fablabo.net/wiki/Pile_microbienne#Atelier doc of a workshop with many quick prototypes created]
* [Link 2]

== Run / prototype #1==


=== Setup description ===
General principle:

[[File:sketch-of-cool-exp-E1.JPG|300px|thumb|right|set up for run 1]]

=== Materials & budget ===
* What, size | quantity | where to get it | price / unit

=== (If it’s a) Construction ===

Step 1 in pictures: 
<gallery>
File:name-of-file_1.jpg
File:name-of-file_2.jpg
</gallery>

==== (If it’s an experiment) Parameters ====
;To vary | Values
: p1 |
: p2 |

; Constants (Key elements of set-up)
: c1 |
: c2

; To measure/ observe
: m1
: m2

=== Protocol (Plan) ===
==== Startup ====
==== Phase 1 ====
do what | frequency | duration

=== Lab Notebook & News (Real) ===
We put our measures here: [link to other doc?]

== Run / prototype #2==

What's new compared to #1:

== Results / Feedback from use ==
== Recommendation + next steps ==

[[Category:Work In Progress]]
[[Category:Manual]]

Edible wall

2015-07-29T15:35:37Z

Alecoloop:

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living wall inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them, to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

Let's do it - template for experiment section

2015-07-29T15:33:33Z

Alecoloop:

Edible wall

2015-07-29T13:28:55Z

Alecoloop: /* Contact */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved | main actors]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living wall inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them, to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

[[Category:Work In Progress]]

Edible wall

2015-07-29T13:28:21Z

Alecoloop: /* Contact */

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See [[Edible wall#People involved]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living wall inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them, to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

[[Category:Work In Progress]]

Edible wall

2015-07-29T13:26:53Z

Alecoloop:

This page is under construction!

== Contact ==
See People involved [[Edible wall#People involved]]

== Objectives and context ==
=== Motivation: upgrading a multi-functional “living wall” ===
Our general motivation is to produce food on-site, while valorising excreta (human waste) and combining several advantages. 
In this project, our mission is to upgrade existing “living walls” to combine several functions and characteristics:
* Grow edible plants (or medicinal, scented… instead of just decorative exotic plants)
* Fertilise the plants with human source-separated urine only (and avoid using any chemical fertiliser)
* Purify indoor air, which passes through the soil and root system
* Use material that is renewable, locally available, … (as much as possible)
* Have a beautiful planted wall, that increases well-being in offices, inside buildings, or in the city
Among these functions, we want to focus in priority on valorising human '''urine''' to grow '''edible plants'''. Yerk?! Yes, you read it correctly. And you should get convinced of the many advantages of the [[reuse of urine]] for agriculture by reading a coming page…

=== System description and constraints ===


''' Soil substitute ''' 
The vertical “modules” consists of panels of a kind of compressed roock wool: ''Grodan'' (although we might change this in the future if we find another renewable material with the same properties). The plants are planted in holes, and their roots then develop through this 'matrix' and at the back of the panels. Specificity: very little real natural soil, lightweight. 

''' Fertigation (= irrigation + fertilisation)''' 
Drip irrigation, with a nutritive solution made of tap water and currently a chemical fertiliser, which we’ll replace by urine. Similarly to a hydroponic system, the solution must contain all nutrients needed by the plants, in a readily available form, and in the appropriate concentration for continuous fertigation (as opposed to punctual fertilisation). 
This means that the nutrients concentration shouldn’t be too high, because 1. Too high an ammonium concentration is toxic to plant [refs] 2. Excessive fertilisation also causes damages, such as nitrates accumulating in leaves [refs].


 
<gallery>
File:empty-module-Biotecture_08.07.15.jpg
</gallery>

'''Plants for vertical indoor garden''' 
[…]

=== Specific objectives ===
'''Challenge for urine fertigation in a semi-hydroponic system'''


Obviously we want to avoid odours, especially because this version of living walls is designed for inside buildings. But we also need to find the ideal urine dilution also to avoid excessive nutrients (see just above) and the toxicity of ammonium. 

What's more, most plants prefer nitrate-nitrogen to ammonia-nitrogen as a nitrogen source, and these plants are easily damaged by excessive ammonium nutrition. (Shinohara et al, 2008) [enter ref] This is why most hydroponic solutions contain nitrates, not ammonium [ref needed]. However stored urine contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium, which must therefore be converted to nitrate. This requires the presence of nitrifying bacteria, and sufficient oxygenation. It is generally the case in soil… but how about in our living walls, in soil substitue? Is it a suitable medium to host active nitryfiers?
For this reason, we first want to test the 'nitrification in modules'. 



'''Questions for experiments''' 
# '''Nitrification in modules''' - Does nitrification of urine take place in our soil substitutes? Is it quick enough? How it it influenced by the following factors?
## Inoculation (none / with nitrifying solution)
## Dilution factor (between 1:10-1:50)
## aeration properties of the panels (free surface / covered with a plastic sheet / active aeration)?
## Different soils, i.e. different source of microorganisms (none? / special for germination, sterilised / garden compost / field, without chemicals? / inocculated with an nitrifying culture)
# What is the ideal '''dilution rate'''?
## Limit to prevent odours
## Appropriate dilution to reach at least the same performance as the chemical solution (or compare between dilutions) – in these modules
# How do '''different edible plants''' grow under these conditions? Which are the most adapted?
## First selection: common herbs that grow well
## More interesting other plants: 2nd run, or first just in pots vertically – pre-test the dilutions
:::: Could we start this last point in parallel during the nitrification experiments, or if it takes very long to build the structure, or in collaboration with Vertikal Farms ? (TBD)

=== People involved ===

'''Main actors''': [[User:Alecoloop|Alexandra]] & Michka M (easy to find on [[Slack]] or by [mailto:michka.melo@est2e.com e-mail])

'''Participants''' (have helped us so far):
* at Hackuarium: Clément D., … and of course [[User:Shalf|Yann H.]] & [[User:hekkcess|Yann P.]]
* colleagues at ESTEE: Saida N., Théodore B., Tomas R.

'''External partners''': We cooperate with the enterprises [http://www.biotecture.uk.com Biotecture] and [http://www.livinggreencity.com Living Green City UK]. They produce and install living wall inside and outside buildings. Biotecture have provided us with the core of the modules and share some know-how. The team at Living Green City UK, in London, currently focus on air filtration function. We are in contact with them, to ensure the integration of the different functions.

Friends and '''related projects''':
Vertical / urban farming, aquapony, and such species: Vertikal farms, Exodes Urbains, others met

'''Communication''':
[[Slack]] channel: [https://hackuarium.slack.com/archives/wg-edible-wall #wg-edible-wall]

== Activities ==
=== Overview of project parts ===
Details on these activities will be found in the following sections (title level 2).
* Urine Fertigation
** Urine collection and storage – install DIY waterless urinal
** Nitrifiying solution – design and grow a community of nitrifying bacteria
** Wall structure and irrigation system – design & build
** Test the nitrification in modules
*** experiment NM1 - with initial inoculation
*** experiment NM2 - with inoculation through different soils
** Dilution test: planted experiment 1
** Dilution test: planted experiment 2
* Vegetal Community
** Nursery: design, build and plant
** Selection guide for different conditions (such as indoor/outdoor, light, space, etc.)
*** Select and gather plants for the first experiments
*** Matrix for indoor walls
* Integration of air filtration
** This will come later. Idea taken into account in the part “nitrification in modules”

=== Timeplan ===
Mhh, why is this empty? Maybe because we’re soo quick that we rise through time…
==== News: ====
13.07.15 I've received the empty modules, to be planted!

22.07.15 [http://wiki.hackuarium.ch/index.php?title=Openhackuarium_vol._55_-_22.07.15 openHackuarium vol.55] small presentation of project plans

== Urine collection & storage ==
See the page [[DIY waterless urinals]] (This may serve also to other projects!)

== Nitrifiying culture ==

We'll create a page with more details when we see the first results!

==== Quick reminder of objective ====
Grow a culture of nitrifying bacteria adapted to diluted urine.
It can then serve in 1° for us to:
* Inocculate our modules with the suitable microorganisms, if needed
But also to:
* Start an aquaponic system (with fish etc)
* Stabilise diluted urine, with the effect of removing pathogens and smell => home fertiliser that's better than simple urine
=== Inspiration / background ===

We got inspiration from this
* [http://aquaponie.net/demarrage-cycler-aquaponie protocol to start an aquaponic system] (in french)
They want to keep the ammonium conc very low, good for fish. Target 2-4 ppm, increased by 0.5ppm daily. But in our case, we want a culture adapted to much higher concentrations; at least those used for fertigation. Try to go faster?

... more to come

== Wall structure and irrigation system ==

== Test the nitrification in modules – experiment ==

== Dilution test: planted experiment ==

[[Category:Work In Progress]]

User:Alecoloop

2015-07-29T13:10:42Z

Alecoloop:

Contact:

[mailto:alexandra.florin@est2e.com e-mail pro] 
on [[Slack]]: easy to find 
Skype: alexandra.florin