Stormwater runoff from highways is a source of pollution to surface water bodies and groundwater. Excess loadings of phosphorus in stormwater discharged to surface water bodies can result in eutrophication. Treatment of stormwater for phosphorus is necessary in order to sustain ecological and economical benefits related to aquatic resources. If phosphorus is removed, the water can be sustained for other uses, such as irrigation and industrial applications. The data presented in this paper is used to evaluate the treatment performance of a roadside biosorption activated media system with regards to the removal of total phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus from highway runoff. The evaluation also compares removal efficiencies and effluent concentrations using biosorption activated media (BAM) to that with sandy soil commonly found in the Florida area. The results presented in this paper indicate that BAM bio-filtration systems are a feasible treatment method for removing phosphorus from highway runoff. A discussion concerning the additional treatment and reuse of water by harvesting, as part of a Bio-filtration & Harvesting Swale System, is also presented in the paper.
References
[1]
Wanielista, M.; Hulstein, E. Stormwater irrigation for Saint Augustine Grass: Summer ET and nitrogen data on the UCF campus. In Proceedings of 1st Annual Stormwater Management Research Symposium, Orlando, FL, USA, 12–13 October 2004; University of Central Florida Stormwater Management Academy: Orlando, FL, USA, 2004.
[2]
U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Glossary. Available online: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/nutrients/glossary.cfm (accessed on 2 October 2011).
[3]
Wenner, E.; Sanger, D.; Upchurch, S.; Thompson, M. Water quality module: Eutrophication. In Characterization of the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto Basin, South Carolina; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Washington, DC, USA, 2000.
[4]
Landsberg, J.H.; Shumway, S.S. Harmful algal blooms and their effects on marine and estuarine animals. In Proceedings of Third International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health, Baltimore, MD, USA, 30 August–3 September 1998.
[5]
U.S. EPA. Wet Ponds. Available online: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=factsheet_results&view=specific&bmp=68 (accessed on 28 September 2012).
[6]
Florida Department of Environmental Protection. FDEP and water management districts stormwater quality permitting requirements. In Environmental Resouce Permit: Stormwater Quality Applicant’s Handbook. Design Requirements for Stormwater Treatment Systems in Florida; Draft; Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Tallahassee, FL, USA, 2010; pp. 6–19.
[7]
U.S. EPA. Bioretention (Raingardens). Available online: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=factsheet_results&view=specific&bmp=72 (accessed on 13 December 2011).
[8]
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. NJDEP bioretention systems. In New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: Trenton, NJ, USA, 2009; pp. 9.1:1–9.1:10.
[9]
Lenth, J.; Dugopolski, R.; Quigley, M.; Poresky, A.; Leisenring, M. Filterra Bioretention Systems: Technical Basis for High Flow Rate Treatment and Evaluation of Stormwater Quality Performance; Americast Inc.: Ashland, VI, USA, 2010.
[10]
Hood, A.C. Evaluation of Biosorption Activated Media Under Roadside Swales for Stormwater Quality Improvement & Harvesting. Master’s Thesis, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA, 2012.
[11]
Ji, Z.-G. Phosphorus. In Hydrodynamics and Water Quality: Modeling Rivers, Lakes, and Estuaries; John Wiley & Gons: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2008; pp. 299–302.
[12]
Florida Department of Transportation. FDOT design geometrics and criteria. In Plans Preparation Manual; Florida Department of Transportation: Tallahassee, FL, USA, 2011.
[13]
St. Johns River Water Managment District. SJRWMD definitions. In Applicant’s Handbook: Regulation of Stormwater Management Systems; St. Johns River Water Managment District: Palatka, FL, USA, 2006; Volume Chapter 40C–42 F.A.C., pp. 2.1–2.5.
[14]
Pitt, R.; Maestre, A.; Morquecho, R. The National Stormwater Quality Database (NSQD), Version 1.1; University of Alabama: Tuscaloosa, AL, USA, 2004.
[15]
Wanielista, M.; Baldassari, T.; Ryan, P.; Rivera, B.; Shah, T.; Stuart, E. Feasibility Study of Waste Tire Use in Pollution Control for Stormwater Management, Drainfields, and Water Conservation in Florida; University of Central Florida Stormwater Management Academy: Orlando, FL, USA, 2008.
[16]
Shah, T. Fate of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Species from a Black and Gold？ Nugget Mix in a Laboratory Column Simulated Septic Tank Drainfield. Master’s Thesis, Universtiy of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA, 2007.
[17]
Namasivayam, C.; Sangeetha, D. Equilibrium and kinetic studies of adsorption of phosphate onto ZnCl2 activated coir pith carbon. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2004, 280, 359–365.
[18]
St. Johns River Water Management District. SJRWMD design criteria and guidelines for stormwater reuse systems. In Applicant’s Handbook: Regulation of Stormwater Management Systems; St. Johns River Water Management District: Palatka, FL, USA, 2006; Volume Chapter 40C–42 F.A.C., pp. 20.21–20.26.
