Performance of Nitrogen-Removing Bioretention Systems for Control of Agricultural Runoff

Abstract

This research evaluated nitrogen-removing bioretention systems for control of nutrients, organics, and solids in agricultural runoff. Pilot-scale experiments were conducted with bioretention systems incorporating aerobic nitrification and anoxic denitrification zones with sulfur or wood chips as denitrification substrates. Varying hydraulic loading rates (HLRs), influent concentrations, and wetting and drying periods were applied to the units during laboratory and two seasons of field tests with dairy farm runoff. Total N removal efficiencies greater than 88% were observed in both units with synthetic storm water. In first-season field tests, moderate removal efficiencies were observed for chemical oxygen demand (46%), suspended solids (69%), total phosphorous (TP) (66%), and total N (65%). During the second season, operational changes in the farm resulted in lower organic, solids, and nutrient loadings resulting in improved effluent quality, especially for suspended solids (81% removal) and total N (82% removal). The systems were not hydraulically overloaded even at 20 times the normal HLR.