Grass‐Shrub Riparian Buffer Removal of Sediment, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen From Simulated Runoff¹

Abstract

Riparian buffer forests and vegetative filter strips are widely recommended for improving surface water quality, but grass‐shrub riparian buffer system (RBSs) are less well studied. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of buffer width and vegetation type on the key processes and overall reductions of total suspended solids (TSS), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) from simulated runoff passed through established (7‐year old) RBSs. Nine 1‐m RBS plots, with three replicates of three vegetation types (all natural selection grasses, two‐segment buffer with native grasses and plum shrub, and two‐segment buffer with natural selection grasses and plum shrub) and widths ranging from 8.3 to 16.1 m, received simulated runoff having 4,433 mg/l TSS from on‐site soil, 1.6 mg/l total P, and 20 mg/l total N. Flow‐weighted samples were collected by using Runoff Sampling System (ROSS) units. The buffers were very efficient in removal of sediments, N, and P, with removal efficiencies strongly linked to infiltration. Mass and concentration reductions averaged 99.7% and 97.9% for TSS, 91.8% and 42.9% for total P, and 92.1% and 44.4% for total N. Infiltration alone could account for >75% of TSS removal, >90% of total P removal, and >90% of total N removal. Vegetation type induced significant differences in removal of TSS, total P, and total N. These results demonstrate that adequately designed and implemented grass‐shrub buffers with widths of only 8 m provide for water quality improvement, particularly if adequate infiltration is achieved.

Recycling Vertical-Flow Biofilter: A Treatment System for Agricultural Subsurface Tile Water

“…Therefore, additional methods for nutrient removal and control are needed where subsurface tile drainage is common. Passive treatment systems such as vegetated riparian zones and biofilters have been shown to be effective in controlling nutrient inputs from surface runoff (Cors and Tychon, 2007;Dodds and Oakes, 2006;Mankin et al, 2007;Mayer et al, 2007;Spruill, 2004;Yamada et al, 2007). The preponderance of water flow in tile drainage systems though, is subsurface, within the vadose zone.…”

Performance of Grass Filter Strip in Copper and Zinc Removal in Surface and Subsurface Runoff

“…Vegetation plays an important role, such as soil conservation, biological utilization, improving soil permeability. The vegetation types used in studies include perennial grasses [7][8][9][10][11], shrubs [12][13][14], forests [15,16] and combinations of those above.…”

Variations in Phosphorus Speciation in Response to Simulated Riparian Zone Enhancement with Red Mud to Treat Reclaimed Water

“…Riparian zones have been widely used for reducing phosphorus pollution due to their low cost, convenient operation, and easy maintenance [7][8][9]. Adsorption and precipitation of the media is considered to be one of the most useful removal processes of phosphorus from a column of water in riparian zones [10,11].…”

“…However, RM is still regarded as a hazardous environmental pollutant due to its highly alkaline properties and high concentrations of various chemical substances [3]. As a consequence, appropriate pretreatment of RM is necessary before practical use [2].Riparian zones have been widely used for reducing phosphorus pollution due to their low cost, convenient operation, and easy maintenance [7][8][9]. Adsorption and precipitation of the media is considered to be one of the most useful removal processes of phosphorus from a column of water in riparian zones [10,11].…”