3 ms·

I don't think hydroponics is a completely closed cycle, so there still has to be a source of nitrogen/ammonia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixation h

• pm90 10y ago
  That was an enlightening read! I had no idea that humanity was so dependent on one process for so much of its essential existence! If you think about the context in which we are operating though (desert with a lot of sunlight) it might be possible to colocate a solar powered reactor producing all the ammonia required for the hydroponic farms in the desert. This is just handwaving though: it seems like apart from electricity, the next biggest input is natural gas. While this may not be a problem in, say, Saudi Arabia, probably would be in Namibia.
  • maxerickson 10y ago
    With cheap enough power you can just tear the nitrogen out of the air. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkeland%E2%80%93Eyde_process https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkeland%E2%80%93Eyde_process
• SEJeff 10y ago
  Hmmm I wonder if there would be a way to also grow green beans / soy beans, which always deposit nitrogen as a byproduct of their own growth. I have a mini urban farm in my teensy Chicago back yard and Rotate beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes to ensure the soil contains the right nutrients.
  • lostlogin 10y ago
    Have a look at this link, which I think I found on HN sometime ago. Hydroponics and fish working together in Detroit. www.modeldmedia.com/features/indoorurbanagriculture052014.aspx