Field Study of the Ability of Two Grassed Bioretention Cells to Reduce Storm-Water Runoff Pollution
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 4
Abstract
Two grassed bioretention cells including internal storage zones (ISZs) were monitored for in central North Carolina. Each cell had a surface area of and fill media depths were 0.75 and for the north (North) and the south (South) cells, respectively. Asphalt parking lot inflow and outflows were analyzed for nitrogen and phosphorus forms and fecal coliform (FC). Outflow volumes and peak flows for individual storms were generally less than those of inflow. Overall, except for , effluent nitrogen species event mean concentrations (EMCs) and loads were significantly lower than those of the inflow, and nitrogen species load reductions ranged from 47 to 88%. Apart from fall and winter, during which a longer hydraulic contact time seemed to be needed, the ISZs appeared to improve denitrification. Total phosphorus (TP) and EMCs were significantly lower than those of the inlet. Reductions were 58% (South) and 63% (North) for TP and 78% (North) and 74% (South) for . There was no significant difference in TP and loads between the inlet and the two outlets. Moreover, effluent concentrations for both phosphorus species were low, relative to other studies. The best nutrient EMC and load reductions occurred during the warm and humid seasons. When considering effluent concentrations in addition to removal rates, the grassed cells showed promising results for FC and nutrient pollution abatement when compared to conventionally vegetated bioretention (trees, shrubs, and mulch) previously studied in North Carolina.
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Acknowledgments
The writers thank the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments (Carol Patrick and Paula Sloneker) and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Bradley Benneth and Ken Pickle) for their support of the research. Graham High School and the City of Graham (Donell Braxton) were very helpful in allowing the construction of the field site. We also acknowledge Mitch Woodward and Bill Lord of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service for their help and guidance during the field site construction process. Thanks also go to Shawn Kennedy and Brandon Culberson for meticulous sample collection, equipment installation, and maintenance.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 4 • August 2009
Pages: 505 - 510
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: May 8, 2008
Accepted: Oct 23, 2008
Published online: Jan 27, 2009
Published in print: Aug 2009
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