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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Published on: May 15, 2017

Chabazite biofilter for enhanced stormwater nitrogen removal.

Daniel P Smith¹

¹Applied Environmental Technology, 10809 Cedar Cove Drive, Tampa, FL 33592-2250, USA. dpsmith_aet@verizon.net

Water Environment Research : a Research Publication of the Water Environment Federation

|May 11, 2011

Summary

Chabazite biofilters significantly enhance nitrogen removal from stormwater, outperforming sand filters, especially during dynamic storm conditions and low oxygen levels. This natural cation exchanger offers superior performance and resilience for effective stormwater treatment.

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Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites

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Published on: November 28, 2014

Area of Science:

Environmental Engineering
Water Quality Management
Geochemistry

Background:

Stormwater runoff is a major source of nitrogen pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
Conventional biofilters, like sand, have limitations in nitrogen removal efficiency, particularly under variable flow conditions.
Chabazite, a natural zeolite, possesses cation exchange properties that may enhance nitrogen retention.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of chabazite as a media for enhanced nitrogen removal in stormwater biofilters.
To compare the performance of chabazite biofilters against traditional sand filters under various operating conditions.
To assess the resilience of chabazite biofilters to dynamic flow rates and limited dissolved oxygen.

Main Methods:

A pilot-scale biofilter system was operated for 216 days.
Chabazite and sand biofilters were subjected to steady flow, simulated storm events, and periods of no flow.
Influent and effluent nitrogen concentrations (ammonium, total inorganic nitrogen) were monitored.
Limited dissolved oxygen conditions were simulated.

Main Results:

Chabazite removed 93% of ammonium and 35% of total inorganic nitrogen under steady flow, surpassing sand (87% ammonium, 15% TN).
During simulated storm events, chabazite retained 97% of ammonia mass compared to 70% for sand.
Chabazite demonstrated superior ammonium retention (98%) after a 40-day no-flow period and under low dissolved oxygen conditions, unlike sand.

Conclusions:

Chabazite biofilters offer significantly enhanced ammonium and total inorganic nitrogen removal from stormwater compared to sand filters.
Chabazite media exhibits superior performance resilience under dynamic stormwater conditions, including high flow rates and low dissolved oxygen.
The use of chabazite presents a promising strategy for improving the effectiveness of stormwater treatment systems for nitrogen pollution control.