The Application of Physical and Chemical Parameters to the Design of Raised Bed Soil Absorption Systems

摘要

The physical and chemical relationships involved in waste water treatment by raised bed soil absorption systems were quantified and improved design criteria for the treatment of nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, and bacteria and viruses were developed. Study conditions were tailored to those found in Maine where approximately 50% of households are not linked to municipal sewage systems and as little as 15% of the land can accommodate conventional soil absorption systems. For each of the study pollutants, ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, and bacteria and viruses, transport and retention in soils was investigated and these results were combined with field results from two systems in Maine to design optimum systems for each pollutant.