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Soil erosion is considered the biggest contributor to nonpoint source pollution in the United States according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federally mandated National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. Soil loss rates from construction sites can be 10 to 20 times that of agricultural lands. The use of surface applied organic amendments has been shown to reduce runoff and erosion, however, with the exception of animal manure, little research has focused on nutrient loss from these amendments. Four types of compost blankets, hydroseed, silt fence, and a bare soil (control) were applied in field test plots. Treatments were seeded with common bermuda grass. A rainfall simulator applied rainfall at an average rate equivalent to a 50 yr hr −1 storm event (7.75 cm hr −1 ). Three simulated rain events were conducted: immediately after treatment application, at three months when vegetation was established, and at one year when the vegetation was mature. After three months, the compost generated five times less runoff than hydroseed with silt fence, and after one year, generated 24 percent less runoff. All treatments proved better than the control at reducing solids loss. Total solid loads were as much as 3.5 times greater from hydroseed and silt fence compared to the composts during the first storm, and as much as 16 times greater during the second storm. Materials high in inorganic nitrogen (N) released greater amounts of nitrogen in storm runoff; however, these materials showed reduced N loss over time. Hydroseeding generated significantly higher total phosphorus (P) and dissolved reactive P loads compared to compost in storm runoff during the first storm event.

In 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) National Menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) listed compost filter socks (FS) as an approved BMP for controlling sediment in storm runoff on construction sites. The objectives of this study were to determine if FS with or without the addition of a flocculation agent to the FS system can significantly remove (i) suspended clay and silt particulates, (ii) ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) and nitrate-nitrite nitrogen (NO3-N), (iii) fecal bacteria, (iv) heavy metals, and (v) petroleum hydrocarbons from storm water runoff. Five separate (I-V) 30-min simulated rainfall-runoff events were applied to soil chambers packed with Hartboro silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed, active, nonacid, mesic fluvaquentic Endoaquepts) or a 6-mm concrete veneer on a 10% slope, and all runoff was collected and analyzed for hydraulic flow rate, volume, pollutant concentrations, pollutant loads, and removal efficiencies. In corresponding experiments, runoff was analyzed for (i) size of sediment particles, (ii) NH4-N and NO3-N, (iii) total coliforms (TC) and Escherichia coli, (iv) Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, and (v) gasoline, diesel, and motor oil, respectively. Results showed that: (i) FS removed 65% and 66% of clay (<0.002 mm) and silt (0.002-0.05 mm), respectively; (ii) FS removed 17%, and 11% of NH4-N and NO3-N, respectively and when NitroLoxx was added to the FS, removal of NH4-N load increased to 27%; (iii) total coliform and E. coli removal efficiencies were 74 and 75%, respectively, however, when BactoLoxx was added, removal efficiency increased to 87 and 99% for TC and 89 and 99% for E. coli, respectively; (iv) FS removal efficiency for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn ranged from 37 to 72%, and, when MetalLoxx was added, removal efficiency ranged from 47 to 74%; and (v) FS removal efficiency for the three petroleum hydrocarbons ranged from 43 to 99% and the addition of PetroLoxx increased motor oil and gasoline removal efficiency in the FS system.

Control of soil erosion and associated nonpoint source pollution is essential to improving water quality. The use of compost or mulch blankets as a soil cover can help control soil erosion and provide sustainable alternatives to disposal for many biomass resources. The objective of this study was to investigate the amounts of runoff, erosion, and nutrient losses obtained under simulated rainfall using a variety of compost and mulch materials. Treatments included aged poultry litter, two different types of poultry litter compost, municipal solid waste compost, biosolids compost, food waste compost, yard waste compost, three different types of wood mulch, and bare soil. Results indicated that all of the treatments except for aged poultry litter were effective at reducing total solids loss in the runoff. Nutrient losses from most of the compost treatments, however, were higher than those from bare soil or mulch treatments. Treatments with lower respiration rates and nitrate-nitrogen concentrations tended to have less erosion and transport of solids. Nitrate-nitrogen content, respiration rates, soluble salt, sodium, and potassium contents were good indicators of ammonium and phosphorus losses.

In 2005, the US Environmental Protection Agency National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II for Construction Sites, listed compost filter socks as an approved best management practice for controlling storm runoff and sediment on construction sites. Like most new technologies used to control sediment on construction sites, little has been done to evaluate their performance relative to conventional sediment control barriers, such as silt fences. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine and compare the sediment removal efficiency of silt fence and compost filter socks, (2) to determine if the addition of polymers to compost filter socks could reduce sediment and phosphorus loads, (3) to determine relationships between compost filter media particle size distribution and pollutant removal efficiency and hydraulic flow rate. Simulated rainfall was applied to soil chambers packed with Hatboro silt loam on a 10% slope. All runoff was collected and analyzed for hydraulic flow rate, volume, total suspended solids (TSS) concentration and load, turbidity, and total and soluble P concentration and load. Based on 7.45 cm h -1 (2.9 in hr -1 ) of simulated rainfall-runoff for 30 minutes duration, bare soil (control) runoff TSS concentrations were between 48,820 and 70,400 mg L -1 (6.5 oz gal -1 and 9.4 oz gal -1 ), and turbidity was between 19343 and 36688 Nephelometric Turbidity Units. Compost filter sock and silt fence removal efficiencies for TSS concentration (62% to 87% and 71% to 87%), TSS load (68% to 90% and 72% to 89%), and turbidity (53% to 78% and 54% to 76%) were nearly identical; however with the addition of polymers to the compost filter socks sediment removal efficiencies ranged from 91% to 99%. Single event support practice factors (P factor) for silt fence were between 0.11 and 0.29, for compost filter socks between 0.10 and 0.32, and for compost filter socks + polymer between 0.02 and 0.06. Total and soluble P concentration and load removal efficiencies were similar for compost filter socks (59% to 65% and 14% to 27%) and silt fence (63% and 23%). Although when polymers were added to the filter socks and installed on phosphorus fertilized soils, removal efficiencies increased to 92% to 99%. Compost filter socks restricted hydraulic flow rate between 2% and 22%, while the silt fence restricted between 5% and 29%. Significant correlations ( p < 0.05) were found between middle range particle sizes of compost filter media used in the filter socks and reduction of turbidity in runoff; however, hydraulic flow rate was a better indicator (stronger correlation) of total pollutant removal efficiency performance for compost filter socks and should be considered as a new parameter for federal and state standard specifications for this pollution prevention technology.

Compost and mulch blankets have been widely used for slope stabilization and erosion control at construction sites; however, the majority of research on these erosion control blankets has failed to meet state or federal specifications for particle size distribution. The primary objective of this study was to determine how blending wood mulch with compost may affect its performance as an erosion control practice relative to a straw blanket with polyacrylamide (PAM). The secondary objective of this study was to determine if particle size distribution of the organic erosion control blanket affects runoff, erosion, and vegetation establishment. Researchers concluded that the greater percent of compost used in an erosion control blanket, the lower the total runoff and the slower the runoff rate. Compost erosion control blankets retained 80% of the simulated rainfall applied and reduced cumulative storm runoff by 60%, while the wood mulch blankets reduced runoff by 34% and straw with PAM by 27%. Conversely, the greater the percent of mulch used in the erosion control blanket, the lower the sediment and suspended sediment load. However, any combination of compost and mulch reduced runoff volume, runoff rate, and soil loss relative to a straw blanket with polyacrylamide. The average cover management factor (C factor) for the straw with PAM was 0.189, the compost blanket was 0.065, and the mulch blanket was 0.013. Researchers also concluded that particle size distribution of the compost and mulch blankets was the leading parameter that reduced soil loss and runoff. If particle size distribution specifications are not followed, total soil loss can be four times greater, suspended solids can be five times greater, and turbidity can be eight times greater, relative to blankets that meet particle size distribution specifications. Nitrogen and phosphorus loading from mineral fertilizer used with conventional straw blankets may lead to increased nutrient loading of receiving surface water relative to the compost and mulch blankets. The straw blanket with fertilizer increased total Kjeldahl nitrogen loading by more than 8,000%, the compost blanket increased total Kjeldahl nitrogen by 340%, and the mulch blanket by 18% relative to the control. Although the bare soil and mulch blanket treatments did not contribute any soluble phosphorus (P) to runoff, relative to the compost blanket, the soluble P load from the straw blanket with PAM was 3,800% greater. Results from this study may be used to revise particle size specifications for compost erosion control blankets and to help regulators and design professionals determine which type of erosion control best management practice is best for their particular application.

Soil erosion is one of the biggest contributors to nonpoint source pollution in the United States. Soil loss rates from construction sites are 10 to 20 times that of agricultural lands. The use of surface applied organic amendments has been shown to reduce runoff and erosion through enhanced vegetation growth and soil quality characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vegetation growth and soil quality effects from compost blanket and hydroseed applications to soils disturbed by construction activities. Four types of compost blankets, two hydroseeded treatments (silt fence and mulch filter berm) and a bare soil (control) were applied in field test plots. Treatments were seeded with common Bermuda grass ( Cynodon dactylon ). Vegetative growth (percent cover and biomass of weeds and grasses) and soil quality characteristics were evaluated periodically over one year and 18 months, respectively. Results showed compost blankets provided an average of 2.75 times more vegetative cover than hydroseed after three months. After one year, cover was similar, but hydroseed had significantly greater weed biomass than compost and a greater ratio of weed biomass relative to Bermuda grass biomass. One type of compost blanket increased surface soil extractable organic carbon, and another type increased organic matter in 0 to15 cm (0 to 6 in) soil depths relative to hydroseed treated soils. A one-time application of hydroseed that included mineral phosphorus (P) fertilizer elevated surface soil P after 18 months. On construction sites where disturbed soils are prone to erosion and vegetation establishment is required, compost applications will promote quicker vegetation cover with less weed growth than hydroseeding. Some compost erosion control blankets have the ability to increase soil quality characteristics relative to hydroseed applications within 18 months of application.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II requires construction activities to have erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs) designed and installed for site storm water management. Although BMPs are specified on storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) as part of the construction general permit (GP), there is little evidence in the research literature as to how BMPs perform or should be designed. The objectives of this study were to: (i) comparatively evaluate the performance of common construction activity erosion control BMPs under a standardized test method, (ii) evaluate the performance of compost erosion control blanket thickness, (iii) evaluate the performance of compost erosion control blankets (CECBs) on a variety of slope angles, and (iv) determine Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) cover management factors (C factors) for these BMPs to assist site designers and engineers. Twenty-three erosion control BMPs were evaluated using American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-6459, standard test method for determination of ECB performance in protecting hill slopes from rainfall induced erosion, on 4:1 (H:V), 3:1, and 2:1 slopes. Soil loss reduction for treatments exposed to 5 cm of rainfall on a 2:1 slope ranged from-7 to 99%. For rainfall exposure of 10 cm, treatment soil loss reduction ranged from 8 to 99%. The 2.5 and 5 cm CECBs significantly reduced erosion on slopes up to 2:1, while CECBs < 2.5 cm are not recommended on slopes 4:1 when rainfall totals reach 5 cm. Based on the soil loss results, USLE C factors ranged from 0.01 to 0.9. These performance and design criteria should aid site planners and designers in decision-making processes.

The efficiency of silt fence and compost filter socks for sediment removal is determined and compared. The effects of adding polymers to compost filter socks in reducing phosphorous loads and sediments are also studied.The relationships between compost filter media particle size distribution and pollutant removal efficiency and hydraulic flow rate, are also determined.