Rhizocore Technologies Ltd, a leading Edinburgh-based nature-tech company, today announced the launch of a new £1m Defra grant funded project aimed at revolutionising agricultural pollution control.

Partnering with the James Hutton Institute, Harper Adams University, and Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the project will develop innovative water filters utilising locally-sourced fungi to capture and neutralise pollutants from farming activities before they reach freshwater environments.

This project is funded by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Farming Innovation Programme Nutrient Management Competition, and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.

Addressing a Critical Challenge

Water pollution in the UK has become an increasingly important issue over the past few years, particularly regarding the number of sewage release events during times of high rainfall. However, it is agricultural runoff which is the largest single contributor to river pollution levels, responsible for 40% of water pollution in England.

Runoff from agricultural fields carry nitrates and phosphates from fertilisers that wash off fields during rains. When these nutrients run into rivers and streams, they can cause significant environmental damage, leading to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and the degradation of aquatic ecosystems.

A Low Cost, Nature-Based Solution

This groundbreaking project leverages the natural capabilities of native British saprotrophic fungi, which thrive in nutrient-rich environments and possess the ability to absorb and store these pollutants. By developing modular filtration units filled with these fungi, the project aims to intercept pollutants at various points on farms, effectively preventing them from entering watercourses.

A Circular Economy Approach

The captured nutrients will be recycled as slow-release organic fertilisers, promoting sustainable agriculture and contributing to a circular economy. This innovative approach not only mitigates the environmental impact of agriculture but also enhances the overall sustainability of farming practices.

**Key Project Outcomes**

Cost-effective and Easy-to-Use Solutions: The project will deliver practical and affordable filtration units that are easy to install and maintain on farms.
Enhanced Water Quality: By effectively capturing and neutralising pollutants, the project will significantly improve the quality of freshwater environments.
Sustainable Agriculture: The recycling of captured nutrients as organic fertilisers will promote sustainable farming practices and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers.
Valuable Knowledge Base: The project will generate a comprehensive database of fungal species and strains suitable for pollutant removal, providing valuable insights for future applications.

Quotes:

"This project has the potential to provide a practical, low cost solution for farm runoff that could radically improve the quality of our rivers", Dr. Toby Parkes, CEO and Founder, Rhizocore Technologies UK.
"James Hutton Institute is a world-leading research organisation that has a special interest in Scotland as a HydroNation. We’re delighted to work on this project alongside some of the UK’s best researchers and practitioners.", Prof. Marc Stutter, Senior Scientist in Environmental and Biochemical Sciences.
“We’re delighted to be involved with this project because of its agricultural, real-world application to improve water quality in a sustainable manner”, Dr. Lucy Crockford, Senior Lecturer in Soil and Water Management.
“This is a great opportunity for us to be involved in proving how science alongside practical testing can make a real difference to the future of our water quality and in turn improve habitats and space for nature” Ellie Morris, Nature Recovery Programme Manager, Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

About Rhizocore Technologies Ltd:

Rhizocore Technologies is an applied mycology company, focused on using fungi to solve environmental challenges.

About James Hutton Institute:

A world leading research institute for land, crops, water and the environment with campuses in Aberdeen and Dundee.

About Harper Adams University:

The UK’s top university for agriculture, animal and rural management, and environmental management.

About Cheshire Wildlife Trust:

The leading independent wildlife charity that works across Cheshire, Halton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington and Wirral.

About Innovate UK:

Innovate UK is the UK's innovation agency. We work with businesses to turn their great ideas into commercial successes through a blend of funding and support.