Vegetative Filter Strips: Surface and Subsurface WaterQuality

摘要

Agricultural vegetative filter strips were examined using laboratory soil columns and two field sites to assess the subsurface effluent water quality following the application offarmstead runoff. Three filter strips and 30 soil columns were assessedfor leachate and revealed significant reductions of nutrients and oxygen demandfor sandy soils as compared to sandy loam soils. Soil depth and type were determined to be significant factors in removal of COD, BOD, Ammonia, TKN, and TS prior to reaching groundwater. Removal rates for these particular contaminants were also greater at 30 and 48 inches of soil depth in comparison to 12 inches of subsurface depth. However, all field sites posed groundwater concerns due to high concentrations of nitrates and heavy metals.