Optimizing Biofiltration Media for the Capture of Phosphate and the Support of Vegetation Growth
2022-06
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Optimizing Biofiltration Media for the Capture of Phosphate and the Support of Vegetation Growth
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2022-06
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Abstract
AbstractBiofiltration is a stormwater management practice designed to treat runoff for
harmful contaminants. A critical component of these systems is the granular media. In
this study, I investigated six different types of base media (10% leaf compost, 20% leaf
compost, 10% food compost, 20% food compost, sphagnum peat, reed sedge peat) and
four different amendments (spent lime, biochar, iron and sphagnum peat) in various
combinations with sand to test their capacity in mitigating phosphate release and
supporting the growth of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as an indicator of potential to
support vegetation. The study consisted of an outdoor mesocosm experiment over three
years, with 34 events total where 30 seeded mesocosms containing various media mixes
received water from the Mississippi River (near downtown Minneapolis, MN, USA) that
was spiked with phosphorus to simulate stormwater inputs. Soluble reactive phosphorus
and nitrate concentration, pH, Switchgrass height over time, and Switchgrass biomass at
senescence was measured each year. In general, mixes containing food compost, leaf
compost, biochar with compost and spent lime with compost leached phosphorus whereas
mixes containing peat, iron with compost, and sand adsorbed phosphorus. The mixes that
leached phosphorus supported the most plant growth. Spent lime mixes and biochar
mixes had the highest effluent nitrate concentrations indicating effects on N
mineralization or nitrification. The iron and leaf compost layered media mix performed
the best of all the mixes tested in terms of mitigating the release of phosphate and having
the potential to support vegetation. Future research is necessary to determine if it can
continue preventing phosphorus leaching and support vegetative growth with a higher
percentage of compost and different plant species.
Keywords: phosphate, nitrate, biofiltration, stormwater treatment, switchgrass (Panicum
virgatum), compost, peat, biochar, water treatment residuals, iron
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University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. 2022. Major: Water Resources Science. Advisors: Andy E Erickson, Jacques Finlay. 1 computer file (PDF); 52 pages.
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Kramarczuk, Kathryn. (2022). Optimizing Biofiltration Media for the Capture of Phosphate and the Support of Vegetation Growth. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/241550.
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