Zeolite amended bioretention media improves nitrogen removal from stormwater. Issue 1 (10th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sweeney, Lillie C.; Knappenberger, Thorsten; Brantley, Eve F.; Shaw, Joey N.
• Is Part Of: Agricultural & environmental letters. Volume 7:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-01-10
• Subjects: Agriculture -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Agriculture; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.1002/ael2.20060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-9625

Abstract

Abstract: Bioretention cells alleviate stormwater toxicity by permeation through soil media. Amending bioretention materials may result in increased chemical pollutant removal while maintaining hydraulic properties. Zeolite was tested in bioretention media for zinc, copper, phosphorus, ammonium, and nitrate removal from synthetic stormwater in a column study. Ecolite did not improve metal or phosphorus removal; however, significantly lower effluent concentrations of ammonium ( p < .001) and nitrate ( p = .014) were measured compared with the standard media. The standard media averaged a 70% reduction in ammonium concentration, while mixtures containing 10 and 20% Ecolite per volume averaged 86 and 87% reduction, respectively. All media leached higher nitrate concentrations than the influent stormwater. Ecolite significantly increased the saturated hydraulic conductivity by up to 55% ( p < .001). The inclusion of Ecolite in bioretention cells may be practical in areas with nitrogen‐impaired watersheds. Abstract : Core Ideas Zeolite is an important bioretentive medium to amend stormwater toxicity. Media amended with zeolite had statistically similar or improved hydraulic conductivity. Ammonium and nitrate removal was higher in zeolite amended mixes. The set up of a block of columns during a storm simulation. The synthetic stormwater was distributed by Mariotte bottles to ensure all containers release water at the same rate (A). Zeolite (B), and a schematic of the column (C).