Presented by: 

Excess stormwater runoff caused by rapid urbanization and exacerbated by climate change generates many challenges for public safety and the environment, including toxicity to the aquatic environment caused by trace metals and algal blooms caused by eutrophication due to nutrient pollution. To improve stormwater management on highways, amendment of existing Vegetated Filter Strips (VFS) with Vegetated Compost Blankets (VCB), a layer of seeded compost, was proposed. However, compost has shown mixed effectiveness for pollutant removal and often results in nutrient leaching. VCBs were studied to determine  if they could be effective as a stormwater control measure (SCM) for both hydrologic functionality and pollutant removal.

The VCB/VFS system was assessed through greenhouse scale and field scale experiments. In addition, small scale laboratory experiments were completed to further investigate nutrient movement. VCBs were found to have a significant impact on both flow and volume reduction, though at the highest flowrates VCBs instead acted as conveyance. Significant TSS removal was observed in both the field and greenhouse studies and particulate metals were largely removed; however dissolved Cu leaching was observed in the field experiment. Highly elevated concentrations of nutrients (as high as 100 mg/L TN and 12 mg/L TP) were observed in the effluent of both field and greenhouse experiments, resulting in net nutrient leaching and concentrations above recommended EPA freshwater limits even after 1-2 years. Lab scale mineralization experiments indicated that after aging (including rinsing through storms), compost releases a significantly lower mass of both N and P and differed by compost source. Despite improved volume reduction and particulate pollutant removal, compost poses the risk of both dissolved nutrient and metals leaching. Further research into compost composition and mineralization patterns would help guide more responsible use of compost in GSI systems in the future.

SPEAKER BIO: 

Dr. Forgione is currently a post-doctoral scholar at Villanova University working on research related to environmental sampling of microplastics in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) systems. She received her doctorate in Civil Engineering in December 2022 from the University of Maryland, with a specialization in Environmental Engineering. Previously she was the Laboratory Director for the Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership for five years. Past and current research projects have focused on stormwater pollutants including microplastics, road deicing salts, trace metals, nutrients, particulates, and overall stormwater pollutant characterization. She was a fellow in the NSF NRT Global STEWARDS Fellowship at the University of Maryland where she received interdisciplinary training on the food-energy-water nexus.

Engineers:

This seminar does qualify for 1.0 Professional Development Hour (PDH). A Certificate of Attendance will be available for AWRA-PMAS members only. The meeting price for non-members who wish to receive a Certificate of Attendance for the PDH is $10.00 ($3.00 for meeting + $7.00 for certificate).  

Please note: 

• Presentation Zoom link will be provided in registration reminder email.
• Zoom link should only be used by those who register for the event through AWRA directly. 
• PDHs will be issued through PDFs.
• Please allow extra time to register through Zoom and get software set up.
• Presentation will start at noon.
• Early participants will be in a Waiting Room until noon. 
• Participants must email AWRA.PMAS@gmail.com to request PDH Certificate after the event.

Thank you!