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 (NH(4)-N) and nitrate-nitrite nitrogen (NO(3)-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) NH(4)-N and NO(3)-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 NH(4)-N and NO(3)-N, respectively and when NitroLoxx was added to the FS, removal of NH(4)-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.

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The objective of this study was to compare the sediment removal efficiency, peak flow rate, and cost of straw bales, mulch filter berms, compost filter socks, and compost filter socks + polymer used as perimeter sediment control devices under high intensity/duration single storm event conditions to assist environmental regulators and design professionals in choosing an appropriate best management practice for their construction site or storm water pollution prevention plan. A simulated rainfall intensity/duration was chosen in order to produce a direct runoff (Q) per linear unit length of treatment equivalent to that generated in 24-hour 5-year return for north Georgia (11.25 cm [4.5 in]) using the maximum drainage area allowed for silt fence on a 10% slope. All sediment control treatments restricted peak runoff flow rates relative to the bare soil (control). All treatments discharged significantly lower total solids (concentration and load) than the bare soil, while all compost sock treatments were significantly lower (concentration and load) than the mulch filter berm and straw bale. Removal efficiency for total solid load ranged from 63.5% to 88.2%. Single-event P factor (soil loss ratio) was determined for all treatments and ranged from 0.118 to 0.365. All treatments were significantly lower than the bare soil, and all compost filter socks were significantly lower than the mulch filter berm. All treatments discharged significantly lower total suspended solids (concentration and load) than the bare soil, and all compost sock treatments were significantly lower (concentration and load) than the mulch filter berm and straw bale. Removal efficiency for total suspended solid load ranged from 60.4% to 89.5%. All compost filter socks had significantly lower turbidity relative to bare soil, and the addition of the polymer to the compost filter sock treatments had significantly lower turbidity relative to the compost filter socks without the polymer. Percent turbidity reduction ranged from 8.1 to 49.1. Total cost of installation was estimated for each sediment control device based on product + freight from distributor + staking materials + labor to install. Total cost for sediment control devices ranged from $1.75 to $2.87 per linear 30 cm (1 ft).

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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 >or= 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.