Nutrient leaching and copper speciation in compost-amended bioretention systems.

Bioretention systems are designed to remove contaminants from stormwater; however, studies have shown that bioretention systems can export excess nitrogen, phosphorus, and copper when amended with compost. The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify removal of nitrates, phosphorus, copper, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from compost-amended bioretention systems, and (2) to investigate the role of DOM on the leaching of copper. Simulated bioretention systems were irrigated with stormwater for seven storms in two-weeks intervals.

Effect of tomato packinghouse wastewater properties on phosphorus and cation leaching in a spodosol.

Land application of wastewater is a common practice. However, coarse-textured soils and shallow groundwater in Florida present favorable conditions for leaching of wastewater-applied constituents. Our objective in this study was to determine phosphorus (P) and associated cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na) leaching in a Spodosol irrigated with tomato packinghouse wastewater.