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Water
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Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems
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Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Wastewater Treatment and Reuse".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2018) | Viewed by 34647

Special Issue Editors

Dr. David McCarthy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM Lab), Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
Interests: stormwater management; faecal contamination; water quality; urban drainage modelling
Dr. Jon Hathaway

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Knoxville, United States
Interests: urban hydrology, green infrastructure, urban sustainability, watershed processes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A primary function of stormwater treatment systems is to sequester pollutants of concern to both public and ecosystem health, and restore more natural hydrology to urban catchments. Research has highlighted the importance of biological processes for irreversible removal of many pollutants, such as uptake by plants and transformations made by microbes, and contributions to stormwater volume reductions. However, more work is required to move beyond our current “black box” understanding of these processes, especially considering the critical importance of plants and microbes in treatment systems and our lack of knowledge as to  how they competitvely or complimentarily interact. This Special Issue will be dedicated to addressing and understanding the role played by plants, microorganisms and their interactions in stormwater treatment systems.

Prof. David McCarthy
Dr. Jon Hathaway
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Stormwater treatment
  • green infrastructure
  • plants
  • microbial processes
  • water quality pollution
  • hydrology

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3498 KiB  
Article
Quantifying Urban Bioswale Nitrogen Cycling in the Soil, Gas, and Plant Phases
by Nandan Shetty, Ranran Hu, Jessica Hoch, Brian Mailloux, Matthew Palmer, Duncan N. L. Menge, Krista McGuire, Wade McGillis and Patricia Culligan
Water 2018, 10(11), 1627; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10111627 - 12 Nov 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6904
Abstract
Bioswales are a common feature of urban green infrastructure plans for stormwater management. Despite this fact, the nitrogen (N) cycle in bioswales remains poorly quantified, especially during dry weather in the soil, gas, and plant phases. To quantify the nitrogen cycle across seven [...] Read more.
Bioswales are a common feature of urban green infrastructure plans for stormwater management. Despite this fact, the nitrogen (N) cycle in bioswales remains poorly quantified, especially during dry weather in the soil, gas, and plant phases. To quantify the nitrogen cycle across seven bioswale sites located in the Bronx, New York City, we measured rates of ammonium and nitrate production in bioswale soils. We also measured soil nitrous oxide gas emissions and plant foliar nitrogen. We found that all mineralized nitrogen underwent nitrification, indicating that the soils were nitrogen-rich, particularly during summer months when nitrogen cycling rates increase, as indicated by higher levels of ammonium in the soil. In comparison to mineralization (0 to 110 g N m−2 y−1), the amounts of nitrogen uptake by the plants (0 to 5 g N m−2 y−1) and of nitrogen in gas emissions from the soils (1 to 10 g N m−2 y−1) were low, although nitrous oxide gas emissions increased in the summer. The bioswales’ greatest influx of nitrogen was via stormwater (84 to 591 g N m−2 y−1). These findings indicate that bioswale plants receive overabundant nitrogen from stormwater runoff. However, soils currently used for bioswales contain organic matter contributing to the urban nitrogen load. Thus, bioswale designs should use less nitrogen rich soils and minimize fertilization for lower nitrogen runoff. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems)
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20 pages, 4634 KiB  
Article
Benzotriazole Uptake and Removal in Vegetated Biofilter Mesocosms Planted with Carex praegracilis
by James Conrad Pritchard, Yeo-Myoung Cho, Negin Ashoori, Jordyn M. Wolfand, Jeff D. Sutton, Margaret E. Carolan, Eduardo Gamez, Khoa Doan, Joshua S. Wiley and Richard G. Luthy
Water 2018, 10(11), 1605; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10111605 - 08 Nov 2018
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5113
Abstract
Urban stormwater runoff is a significant source of pollutants in surface water bodies. One such pollutant, 1H-benzotriazole, is a persistent, recalcitrant trace organic contaminant commonly used as a corrosion inhibitor in airplane deicing processes, automobile liquids, and engine coolants. This study explored the [...] Read more.
Urban stormwater runoff is a significant source of pollutants in surface water bodies. One such pollutant, 1H-benzotriazole, is a persistent, recalcitrant trace organic contaminant commonly used as a corrosion inhibitor in airplane deicing processes, automobile liquids, and engine coolants. This study explored the removal of 1H-benzotriazole from stormwater using bench-scale biofilter mesocosms planted with California native sedge, Carex praegracilis, over a series of three storm events and succeeding monitoring period. Benzotriazole metabolites glycosylated benzotriazole and benzotriazole alanine were detected and benzotriazole and glycosylated benzotriazole partitioning in the system were quantified. With a treatment length of seven days, 97.1% of benzotriazole was removed from stormwater effluent from vegetated biofilter mesocosms. Significant concentrations of benzotriazole and glycosylated benzotriazole were observed in the C. praegracilis leaf and root tissue. Additionally, a significant missing sink of benzotriazole developed in the vegetated biofilter mesocosms. This study suggests that vegetation may increase the operating lifespan of bioretention basins by enhancing the degradation of dissolved trace organic contaminants, thus increasing the sorption capacity of the geomedia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems)
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18 pages, 4836 KiB  
Article
Soil Layer Development and Biota in Bioretention
by Emily Mitchell Ayers and Patrick Kangas
Water 2018, 10(11), 1587; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10111587 - 06 Nov 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3601
Abstract
As bioretention comes into widespread use, it has become increasingly important to understand the development of bioretention soils over time. A field survey was conducted to investigate the development of bioretention soils and soil ecosystems. Sampling from 10 bioretention cells of various ages [...] Read more.
As bioretention comes into widespread use, it has become increasingly important to understand the development of bioretention soils over time. A field survey was conducted to investigate the development of bioretention soils and soil ecosystems. Sampling from 10 bioretention cells of various ages provides the first detailed descriptions of bioretention soil profiles. The study reveals much biological activity in bioretention and evidence of pedogenesis even in very young sites. The uppermost soil layers were found to be enriched with organic matter, plant roots, and soil organisms. This survey provides a first glimpse into the biological processes at work in bioretention soils. The research shows that soil organisms are ubiquitous in bioretention cells and suggests that their impact on bioretention performance may be significant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems)
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19 pages, 2057 KiB  
Article
Effects of Urban Stormwater Control Measures on Denitrification in Receiving Streams
by Erin N. Rivers, Sara K. McMillan, Colin D. Bell and Sandra M. Clinton
Water 2018, 10(11), 1582; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10111582 - 05 Nov 2018
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3709
Abstract
Urban areas are increasingly adopting the use of ecologically-based technologies for stormwater management to mitigate the effects of impervious surface runoff on receiving water bodies. While stormwater control measures (SCMs) reduce runoff, their ability to influence ecosystem function in receiving streams is not [...] Read more.
Urban areas are increasingly adopting the use of ecologically-based technologies for stormwater management to mitigate the effects of impervious surface runoff on receiving water bodies. While stormwater control measures (SCMs) reduce runoff, their ability to influence ecosystem function in receiving streams is not well known. To understand the effect of SCMs on net ecosystem function in stream networks, we measured sediment denitrification in four streams across a gradient of urban and suburban residential development in Charlotte, NC. We evaluated the influence of SCM inputs on actual (DNF) and potential (DEA) denitrification activity in stream sediments at the SCM-stream confluence to quantify microbial processes and the environmental factors that control them. DNF was variable across sites, ranging from 0–6.60 mg-N·m−2·h−1 and highly correlated with in-stream nitrate (NO3-N) concentrations. Sites with a greater impervious area showed a pattern of significantly higher DEA rates upstream of the SCM compared to downstream, while sites with less imperviousness showed the opposite trend. We hypothesize that this is because of elevated concentrations of carbon and nitrogen provided by pond and wetland outflows, and stabilization of the benthic habitat by lower peak discharge. These results suggest that SCMs integrated into the watershed have the potential to create cascading positive effects on in-stream nutrient processing and thereby improve water quality; however, at higher levels of imperviousness, the capacity for SCMs to match the scale of the impacts of urbanization likely diminishes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems)
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19 pages, 2862 KiB  
Article
Engineering Analysis of Plant and Fungal Contributions to Bioretention Performance
by Alex Taylor, Jill Wetzel, Emma Mudrock, Kennith King, James Cameron, Jay Davis and Jenifer McIntyre
Water 2018, 10(9), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10091226 - 12 Sep 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5940
Abstract
While the use of bioretention for stormwater management is widespread, data about the impacts of plants and microorganisms on long-term treatment efficacy remain region-specific. To help address this knowledge gap for the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, we installed twelve under-drained [...] Read more.
While the use of bioretention for stormwater management is widespread, data about the impacts of plants and microorganisms on long-term treatment efficacy remain region-specific. To help address this knowledge gap for the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, we installed twelve under-drained bioretention mesocosms built to Washington State Department of Ecology stormwater management standards in an urban watershed in Seattle, WA that included a busy portion of Interstate 5. Six mesocosms were planted with Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) and six were inoculated with the wine cap mushroom (Stropharia rugoso-annulata) resulting in four replicated factorial treatments. Because region-specific studies must be mindful of the prevailing regulatory framework, all mesocosms used the Washington State Department of Ecology design standard soil: a blend of 60% sand and 40% compost by volume, despite the known leaching problems with high compost volume fraction soils. Five water quality sampling events over 15 months of continuous stormwater loading were analyzed for dozens of water quality parameters. Multiple linear regression analyses of treatment differences over the 400-day loading period illustrate that incorporating fungi into the wood mulch slowed the release of total and ortho-phosphorus from the bioretention soil; however net export of phosphorus from this compost rich media continued through 400 days of loading for all treatments. Multivariate ordination methods illustrate that time and temperature dramatically affect performance of this media, but the impact of planting and fungal inoculation had marginal detectible effects on overall water quality during the study timeframe. These results demonstrate that future studies of this media blend must plan for at least one year of nutrient and metal leaching before the time-dependent heterogenous variance introduced by these exports will no longer pose an obstacle to analysis of other performance changing factors. The results highlight important physical and chemical considerations for this media blend, and the opportunity for continued research on the use of fungal inoculated mulch application as a new ecological engineering tool for reducing phosphorus leaching from soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems)
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17 pages, 1549 KiB  
Article
Dynamics and Functional Potential of Stormwater Microorganisms Colonizing Sand Filters
by Andrea Naimah Fraser, Yue Zhang, Eric Gregory Sakowski and Sarah Pacocha Preheim
Water 2018, 10(8), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10081065 - 10 Aug 2018
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3692
Abstract
Stormwater management is increasingly relying on engineered infiltration systems (EIS) to reduce the volume and improve the quality of managed stormwater. Yet, EIS in the field will be colonized by a diverse array of environmental microorganisms that change the physiochemical properties of the [...] Read more.
Stormwater management is increasingly relying on engineered infiltration systems (EIS) to reduce the volume and improve the quality of managed stormwater. Yet, EIS in the field will be colonized by a diverse array of environmental microorganisms that change the physiochemical properties of the EIS and provide a habitat for microorganisms with harmful or beneficial qualities. Understanding factors influencing the composition and stability of microbial communities could open up strategies for more efficient management of stormwater. Here, we analyzed the potential pathogenic and metabolic capabilities of stormwater microorganisms colonizing idealized EIS (i.e., sand columns) under laboratory conditions over time. The diversity of microbial communities was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and potential pathogens and denitrifying microbes were identified from taxonomic match to known species. Denitrification potential as determined by nosZ abundance was also assessed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR. Our findings demonstrate that replicate microbial communities colonizing sand columns change in a similar way over time, distinct from control columns and the source community. Potential pathogens were initially more abundant on the columns than in the stormwater but returned to background levels by 24 days after inoculation. The conditions within sand columns select for potential denitrifying microorganisms, some of which were also potential pathogens. These results demonstrate that a diverse suite of stormwater microorganisms colonize sand filters, including a transient population of potential pathogens and denitrifiers. Manipulating the inoculating microbial community of EIS could prove an effective mechanism for changing both potential pathogens and denitrifying bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems)
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20 pages, 1491 KiB  
Article
Soil Media CO2 and N2O Fluxes Dynamics from Sand-Based Roadside Bioretention Systems
by Paliza Shrestha, Stephanie E. Hurley and E. Carol Adair
Water 2018, 10(2), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10020185 - 10 Feb 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5077
Abstract
Green stormwater infrastructure such as bioretention is commonly implemented in urban areas for stormwater quality improvements. Although bioretention systems’ soil media and vegetation have the potential to increase carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage for climate change mitigation, this storage potential has not [...] Read more.
Green stormwater infrastructure such as bioretention is commonly implemented in urban areas for stormwater quality improvements. Although bioretention systems’ soil media and vegetation have the potential to increase carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage for climate change mitigation, this storage potential has not been rigorously studied, and any analysis of it must consider the question of whether bioretention emits greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. We monitored eight roadside bioretention cells for CO2-C and N2O-N fluxes during two growing seasons (May through October) in Vermont, USA. C and N stocks in the soil media layers, microbes, and aboveground vegetation were also quantified to determine the overall C and N balance. Our bioretention cells contained three different treatments: plant species mix (high diversity versus low diversity), soil media (presence or absence of P-sorbent filter layer), and hydrologic (enhanced rainfall and runoff in some cells). CO2-C and N2O-N fluxes from all cells averaged 194 mg m−2 h−1 (range: 37 to 374 mg m−2 h−1) and 10 µg m−2 h−1 (range: −1100 to 330 µg m−2 h−1), respectively. There were no treatment-induced changes on gas fluxes. CO2-C fluxes were highly significantly correlated with soil temperature (R2 = 0.68, p < 0.0001), while N2O-N fluxes were weakly correlated with temperature (R2 = 0.017, p = 0.04). Bioretention soil media contained the largest pool of total C and N (17,122 g and 1236 g, respectively) when compared with vegetation and microbial pools. Microbial biomass C made up 14% (1936 g) of the total soil C in the upper 30 cm media layer. The total C and N sequestered by bioretention plants were 13,020 g and 320 g, respectively. After accounting for C and N losses via gas fluxes, the bioretention appeared to be a net sink for those nutrients. We also compared our bioretention gas fluxes to those from a variety of natural (i.e., grasslands and forests) and artificial (i.e., fertilized and irrigated or engineered) land-use types. We found bioretention fluxes to be in the mid-range among these land-use types, mostly likely due to organic matter (OM) influences on decomposition being similar to processes in natural systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant and Microbial Processes in Stormwater Treatment Systems)
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