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Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials
Published on: May 15, 2015
Impact of vegetation selection on nitrogen and phosphorus processing in bioretention containers
Claire P Muerdter1, Daniel J Smith1, Allen P Davis1
1University of Maryland Civil and Environmental Engineering, College Park, Maryland.
Abstract:
A year-long bioretention container study in Maryland, USA, measured the relationship between three plant species (Eutrochium dubium, Iris versicolor, and Juncus effusus) and N ( , , , total nitrogen [TN], total dissolved nitrogen [TDN], dissolved organic nitrogen, particulate organic nitrogen [PON]) and total phosphorus (TP) removal from synthetic stormwater. Statistically significant removal was only found for and TP. Plant-independent removal occurred 9 months after planting, and then changed to removal only by the least-densely planted Juncus treatment. Removal in higher-density Juncus plantings was suspected to be limited by preferential pathways created by high root density. Juncus' low-density removal success correlates with its high growth rate, root mass and length, and large biomass, matching previous literature. TP removal was plant-independent. Shoot harvesting of one plant of each species after 1 year would remove 0.61 g N. Of the plant species in this study, Juncus effusus is most highly recommended for bioretention for its nutrient removal dynamics and year-round green aesthetics. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Only the one-Juncus density treatment had significant removal. All Juncus treatments as well as non-Juncus treatments prevented the PON, TN, or TDN export seen in the No-plants control. TP removal was plant-independent. Juncus had the greatest biomass increase and biomass N. Shoots contain the majority of biomass N for each plant species. Juncus and Iris had high survivorship. Joe Pye had low survivorship. These, and all other study results, need field-scale verification.
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