Nitrogen Removal in Bioretention Systems with Hydraulic Outlet Controls
Publication: Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment
Volume 10, Issue 3
Abstract
Nitrogen pollution in stormwater runoff is among the most difficult to mitigate via bioretention, particularly for dissolved species like . Bioretention soil mix (BSM) amended with compost often leaches nitrogen, making the system a nitrogen source rather than a sink. Several design modifications have been proposed to enhance nitrogen removal pathways, like microbial denitrification, by creating anoxic zones, but studies report varied removal rates. This study evaluated nitrogen removal in bioretention systems equipped with orifice-outlet controls. While these controls primarily reduce outflow rates, it is expected that nitrogen removal would increase due to extended hydraulic residence time. The study consisted of six field-scale bioretention mesocosms with two outlet configurations (orifice/standard) and three BSM types (NEW, mature, and alternative). Six synthetic storms measured total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and removal performance. Continuous flow monitoring characterized the orifice-outlet performance in response to natural storm events, and salt-pulse tracer testing measured the mean residence time. Additionally, soil samples were characterized for TN, TOC, pH, , , and and analyzed with qPCR for and gene abundance, which are indicative of denitrification activity. Orifice-controlled outlets significantly increased residence times and decreased effluent concentrations compared to standard outlets. However, they also increased TKN effluent concentrations, resulting in no net benefit from a TN reduction perspective. Nitrogen leaching was most significant in the new BSM, but this leaching gradually reduced even within this study of six storms. The alternative BSM had the lowest effluent concentrations and the best removal performance, but plant growth was severely limited. genes were only detected in the alternative BSM; however, was present in low abundances compared to other published studies, suggesting denitrification played a minor role in nitrogen removal from these mesocosms.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
We thank technicians Carly Thompson and Brandon Boyd for their critical assistance in maintaining the mesocosms and running experiments. We also thank Leon Li, Miles Gray, and Aaron Poresky from Geosyntec Consultants for their expertise in planning the study and ensuring the quality of our results. This work was supported with funds designated through the Stormwater Action Monitoring which brings together municipal stormwater permittees to collaborate on monitoring needs under the Western Washington municipal stormwater permits. Funds were allocated based on an interagency agreement between the State of Washington Department of Ecology and Washington State University (IAA No. C2000041).
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Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment
Volume 10 • Issue 3 • August 2024
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© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 5, 2023
Accepted: Apr 2, 2024
Published online: May 6, 2024
Published in print: Aug 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Oct 6, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Chemical compounds
- Chemical elements
- Chemical processes
- Chemicals
- Chemistry
- Climates
- Denitrification
- Effluents
- Engineering mechanics
- Environmental engineering
- Inertia
- Meteorology
- Nitrogen
- Nutrient pollution
- Pollution
- Precipitation
- Residence time
- Retention basins
- Statics (mechanics)
- Stilling basins
- Storms
- Water (by type)
- Water and water resources
- Water management
- Water pollution
- Water treatment
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