Grantee Research Project Results
2017 Progress Report: Evaluating Biofiltration in Small Urban Areas: Chico, California Case Study
EPA Grant Number: SV836930Title: Evaluating Biofiltration in Small Urban Areas: Chico, California Case Study
Investigators: Matiasek, Sandrine
Institution: California State University - Chico
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Phase: II
Project Period: October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2018 (Extended to September 30, 2019)
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2016 through September 30,2017
Project Amount: $74,971
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2016) Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The project objectives are to fill in a knowledge gap in biofiltration systems in small urban areas by 1) identifying key design parameters to achieve biofilter resiliency and 2) carrying out detailed long-term performance monitoring of existing biofilters. The innovative aspect of this project lies in its focus on testing pollutant removal efficiency in biofilters, since the monitoring of current systems is mainly limited to hydrologic performance. Phase II research is conducted both in the laboratory and in the field. Long-term (18-month) laboratory experiments extend investigations from Phase I in order to identify optimal plant-media combinations and design configurations to achieve resilient biofilters. In-depth monitoring of biofiltration systems on college campuses in the Chico area (CSU Chico and Butte College) assess long-term hydrologic and pollutant removal performance of existing biofilters. In addition, a life cycle analysis (LCA) of biofiltration designs will be performed during year 2 of Phase II. Increased public awareness about urban green water infrastructure is achieved through regular education outreach events in the local community.
Progress Summary:
This project has, to date, characterized the typical composition of urban storm runoff and evaluated the performance of two biofiltration systems in Chico, CA (Goal 2). Our preliminary findings highlighted the importance of biofilter design for optimal water treatment: greater hydrologic residence times enhance heavy metal and total petroleum hydrocarbons removal, while vegetated systems need additional management strategies to efficiently remove nutrients and fecal coliforms. We also investigated the role of native plants and media additives in a laboratory setting to identify key design parameters contributing to biofilter performance and resiliency (Goal 1). Metal phytoaccumulation was documented in all plants tested and the type of metal to be remediated was an important factor to consider for the long-term management of biofilters, since some metals (zinc, lead) accumulated more above ground, while others (copper, nickel) preferentially accumulated in below ground biomass. Plants also increased the drainage ability of biofilter columns, while zeolite and biochar additives were promising strategies to increase nutrient removal in biofilters.
Future Activities:
The second year of the project prioritizes the monitoring of biofiltration systems during the 2017-18 rainy season to assess their long-term performance. In addition to measuring water quality with in-situ probes and lab analyses, field measurements of hydraulic conductivity will be conducted using a Guelph infiltrometer (owned by CSU Chico). The hydrology of the bioswale at Butte College will be characterized in-depth using flow measuring devices (flumes and weirs) and pressure transducers. This equipment will enable the continuous measurement of inflows and outflows in the system and the calculation of a water balance during storms, which will allow for the calculation of contaminant loads, leading to a greater understanding of the system. Long-term laboratory tests will continue to evaluate the role of specific design criteria in improving biofilter resiliency. The fate of heavy metals in biofilters will be fully evaluated by comparing plant, soil, and water contents. The potential for metal mycoremediation will be assessed by measuring metal content in mushrooms grown in the Butte College bioswale. Media additives and biofilter design will be further tested to achieve greater nutrient removal, particularly nitrate. Additional undergraduate students in civil engineering and economics will be recruited for the second year of Phase II to complete the life cycle analysis of the project.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 23 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
storm water management, urban water planning, low impact development, best management practices, green infrastructure, water treatment technology, pollutant removal, bioretention, water cycle, cost benefit analysis, environmental educationRelevant Websites:
Local TV News cast (KRCR) Exit
Center for Water and the Environment webpage Exit
Environmental Chemistry Laboratory at CSU Chico Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
Evaluating Biofiltration in Small Urban Areas: Chico, California Case Study | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.