Phosphorus speciation and treatment using enhanced phosphorus removal bioretention
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland , College Park, College Park, Maryland 20742.
Environmental Science & Technology
|December 10, 2013
Summary
Adding water treatment residual (WTR) to bioretention systems effectively removes phosphorus and suspended solids without hindering infiltration. This retrofit prevents phosphorus leaching, improving overall water quality performance.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Quality Management
- Stormwater Management
Background:
- Traditional bioretention cells are effective at removing pollutants from stormwater runoff.
- Phosphorus removal, particularly soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), remains a challenge for conventional bioretention systems.
- Water treatment residual (WTR) has shown potential for phosphorus adsorption in various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of retrofitting a bioretention cell with 5% water treatment residual (WTR) on phosphorus removal.
- To assess the effect of WTR on the hydraulic performance and infiltration rates of the bioretention system.
- To investigate the removal of various phosphorus species, including total phosphorus (TP), particulate phosphorus (PP), and dissolved phosphorus (DP).
Main Methods:
- Field research conducted on a bioretention cell retrofitted with 5% WTR by mass.
- Monitoring of inflow and outflow concentrations for total suspended solids (TSS), TP, PP, SRP, and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP).
- Analysis of pollutant mass loads and volume attenuation to determine overall removal efficiencies.
Main Results:
- WTR incorporation did not negatively affect the infiltration capacity of the bioretention system.
- Significant reductions in TSS, TP, and PP concentrations were observed due to particulate matter filtration.
- While net removal of SRP and DOP was not achieved, WTR effectively prevented phosphorus leaching from the media and captured particulate phosphorus.
Conclusions:
- Retrofitted bioretention cells with WTR demonstrate enhanced phosphorus removal capabilities, particularly for particulate forms.
- The addition of WTR prevents phosphorus leaching, acting as a crucial barrier against nutrient export.
- Bioretention systems amended with WTR offer a viable strategy for improving stormwater quality and mitigating eutrophication risks.
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