Next Steps for Bioretention Media Research
Presentation Abstract
While bioretention can provide very good water quality treatment for many contaminants (e.g. sediment, zinc, hydrocarbons, and likely bacteria), regional and national research indicates nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and copper (Cu) may be exported from these systems (Geosyntec 2013; Herrera 2012; Jonasson et al. 2010; Trowsdale and Simcock 2011). Herrera Environmental Consultants will be leading a new effort that will support continued coordination among State and local jurisdictions that are developing and implementing bioretention systems. The purpose of this project is to better understand and improve bioretention soil media performance for capture and retention of N, P, and Cu while retaining the current high level of water quality treatment performance for other stormwater pollutants of concern demonstrated in regional bioretention media research. Specific bioretention soil media (BSM) analyses will begin with leaching tests performed on individual media components to determine P, N, and Cu export potential. This data and findings from others studies will be considered in the selection of media for testing. The best performing individual components will be used to develop media blends that will be placed in laboratory columns. The media columns will first be flushed with clean water and effluent assessed for stormwater pollutants of concern. Semi-synthetic stormwater (actual stormwater spiked with added chemicals to more closely mimic expected inflow conditions) with targeted concentrations of contaminants will then be applied at specified rates and loads to determine the pollutant capture capability of the blends. Simultaneously, plant health will be examined to verify that the media blends can support healthy vegetation. These findings have broad regional application across all Phase I and II jurisdictions for application of new NPDES Permit requirements and for protecting freshwater resources in Washington and the Salish Sea.
Session Title
Session S-09B: Bioretention for Improving Water Quality
Conference Track
Stormwater
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2-5-2014 10:30 AM
End Date
2-5-2014 12:00 PM
Location
Room 608-609
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Bioswales--Research
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Next Steps for Bioretention Media Research
Room 608-609
While bioretention can provide very good water quality treatment for many contaminants (e.g. sediment, zinc, hydrocarbons, and likely bacteria), regional and national research indicates nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and copper (Cu) may be exported from these systems (Geosyntec 2013; Herrera 2012; Jonasson et al. 2010; Trowsdale and Simcock 2011). Herrera Environmental Consultants will be leading a new effort that will support continued coordination among State and local jurisdictions that are developing and implementing bioretention systems. The purpose of this project is to better understand and improve bioretention soil media performance for capture and retention of N, P, and Cu while retaining the current high level of water quality treatment performance for other stormwater pollutants of concern demonstrated in regional bioretention media research. Specific bioretention soil media (BSM) analyses will begin with leaching tests performed on individual media components to determine P, N, and Cu export potential. This data and findings from others studies will be considered in the selection of media for testing. The best performing individual components will be used to develop media blends that will be placed in laboratory columns. The media columns will first be flushed with clean water and effluent assessed for stormwater pollutants of concern. Semi-synthetic stormwater (actual stormwater spiked with added chemicals to more closely mimic expected inflow conditions) with targeted concentrations of contaminants will then be applied at specified rates and loads to determine the pollutant capture capability of the blends. Simultaneously, plant health will be examined to verify that the media blends can support healthy vegetation. These findings have broad regional application across all Phase I and II jurisdictions for application of new NPDES Permit requirements and for protecting freshwater resources in Washington and the Salish Sea.
