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Published on: May 15, 2017
Compost product optimization for surface water nitrate treatment in biofiltration applications
Martin Alcala1, Kim D Jones, Jianhong Ren
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA. martin.alcala@students.tamuk.edu
Bioresource Technology
|April 21, 2009
Summary
Compost materials effectively remove nitrate from stormwater runoff. Different feedstock blends influence the efficiency of nitrate removal in biofiltration systems for water quality improvement.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Quality Management
- Waste Management
Background:
- Compost-based materials are explored for environmental restoration, particularly for remediating contaminated water and soil.
- Biofiltration using compost is a promising technique for treating contaminated water sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop compost products from solid waste for effective nitrate removal in stormwater biofiltration.
- To evaluate the nitrate removal efficiencies of compost products manufactured from various feedstocks.
Main Methods:
- Compost products were manufactured using different ratios of wood chips and grass clippings, alongside landfill-derived compost.
- Column studies were conducted using compost materials loaded with water containing at least 13.5 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen.
- Compost quality indicators such as moisture content, pH, and conductivity were measured.
Main Results:
- All tested compost products, including the landfill material, demonstrated some level of nitrate removal.
- The study confirmed that compost materials can be effectively utilized for nitrate reduction in surface water.
- Variations in compost feedstock composition and blends significantly impacted nitrate removal capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Compost products are viable media for biofiltration applications aimed at improving surface water quality by removing nitrate.
- The selection of feedstocks and their proportions in compost manufacturing are critical factors influencing nitrate removal efficiency.
- This research supports the use of repurposed solid waste materials for environmental remediation through biofiltration.
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