DESIGN MODIFICATIONS TO MINIMIZE POLLUTANT LEACHING FROM COMPOST-AMENDED BIORETENTION

Abstract

Bioretention is an effective stormwater control measure (SCM) recognized for its ability to capture and treat urban runoff within a shallow basin using engineered soils and vegetation. Bioretention studies at laboratory and field scales have shown good to excellent removal efficiency for heavy metals (> 80% to > 90%) and have observed high variablility ranging from negative (net export) to 99% in phosphorus and nitrogen removals. Water quality studies have shown that media selection for bioretention is critical in determining pollutant removal.Incorporating compost into bioretention media is an eco-friendly strategy that not only diverts organic waste from landfills but also provides several benefits improving the performance of bioretention system. This approach enriches the media with organic matter and nutrients for vegetation, boosts water holding and cation exchange capacity, stabilizes the soil structure, and improves the retention of pollutants. However, careful management is essential to mitigate the potential releasing pollutants, including dissolved organic matter (DOM), soluble nutrients, and metals readily associated with DOM, particularly if the compost is derived from biosolids... To maximize the benefits of compost in bioretention, special design modifications aimed at enhancing pollutant removal should be implemented. The objective of this research was to investigate ways to optimize the use of compost in bioretention while minimizing pollutant leaching, Design modifications investigated include layering compost over media, aluminum-based drinking water treatment residual (Al-WTR) addition, and incorporation of an internal water storage (IWS) layer. Treatment performances were evaluated through extractions, batch adsorption studies, large column mesocosms, and column media characterizations. Al-WTR amendment improved sorption of phosphorus, copper and zinc, with capacities increasing from 22.5 mg/kg to 161 mg/kg and 193 mg/kg for P, from 121 mg/kg to 166 mg/kg and then to 186 mg/kg for Cu, and from 121 mg/kg to 166 mg/kg and 186 mg/kg for Zn with 0%, 2% and 4% Al-WTR additions. The multilayered system containing a compost incorporated top layer and an Al-WTR amended bottom layer showed good removal of phosphorus (94% and 96%), copper (88% and 86%) and zinc (92% and 96%), and enhanced nitrogen retention (74.1%) from the stormwater load compared to a mixed system (32.8%) as reported by Owen et al. (2023). The installation of an IWS layer did not show statistically significant influences on phosphorus (91% to 93%, p > 0.05), copper (66% to 90%, p > 0.05) or zinc (94% to 95%, p > 0.05) removals, had limited effect on nitrogen retention from stormwater load during storm events (-117% to -188%, p > 0.05), but promoted denitrification during dry periods. With the IWS layer installed, high levels of iron leaching (130 to 11800 µg/L) were detected, likely due to change in the redox potential (from aerobic to anaerobic). With the objective of removing phosphorus and heavy metals from the stormwater, 5.3% of compost (by dry mass) can be used when layering compost over the Al-WTR amended bioretention media. When the design goal is to remove nitrogen, a fraction of compost up to 2.6%, by dry mass can be used, with layering the compost over the bioretention media and an IWS installed at the bottom.