Impact of Residential Soil Disturbance on Infiltration Rate and Stormwater Runoff1

Woltemade, Christopher J., 2010. Impact of Residential Soil Disturbance on Infiltration Rate and Stormwater Runoff. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 700-711. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00442.x Abstract: Soil disturbances such as excavation and compaction in residential developments affect lawn infiltration rates and stormwater runoff. These effects were investigated via measuring saturated infiltration rates at 108 residential sites and 18 agricultural sites near Shippensburg, south-central Pennsylvania, using a double-ring infiltrometer. Residential sites included four neighborhoods distributed across three soil series classified as hydrologic soil group (HSG) B. Additional parcel data included date of house construction, percentage impervious area, lawn condition, and woody vegetation condition. Measured infiltration rates ranged from 0 to >40 cm/hour. Analysis of variance indicated significantly different mean infiltration rates (p < 0.001) for lots constructed pre-2000 (9.0 cm/hour) and those constructed post-2000 (2.8 cm/hour). Test results were used to determine a “field-tested” HSG for each site, representing disturbed soil conditions. Stormwater runoff was estimated from residential lots for a range of 24-hour design storms using the TR-55 model and several alternative methods of determining curve numbers, including five different representations of soil conditions. Curve numbers and stormwater runoff were substantially higher when based on field-tested HSGs for lots constructed post-2000 compared with lots built pre-2000 and when based on the HSG for undisturbed soils, documenting the magnitude of possible error in stormwater runoff models that neglect soil disturbance.     

THE RELATIONSHIP OF WATER QUALITY AND FISH OCCURRENCE TO SOILS AND GEOLOGY IN AN AREA OF HIGH HYDROGEN AND SULFATE ION DEPOSITION1

ABSTRACT: A survey of 61 headwater streams and their watersheds on Pennsylvania's Laurel Hill, an area of high hydrogen ion and sulfate deposition, was conducted in May and June 1983. Trout were absent from 12 or 20 percent of the streams. No fish were present in 10 streams. Thirty-three streams appeared to contain viable trout populations, 10 streams had other interferring cultural impacts and 6 streams had nonviable trout populations. Significant differences in water quality were noted among streams with and without fish. The streams having no fish as a group had significantly lower pH and alkalinity and higher dissolved aluminum than those with fish. Attempts were made to correlate soil type and geology with the presence or absence of trout. Watersheds with a major percentage of very stony land soil classifications always contained no trout or were culturally impacted. On the other hand, watersheds with a major percentage of Upshur (limestone derived) soils always supported trout. Watersheds with more than 30 percent Pocono Group bedrock supported trout in every case but two, while in every case but one, watersheds with more than 30 percent Pottsville Group bedrock did not support trout. Acid runoff episode data indicate severe transient acidification attributable to atmospheric deposition. It appears that a combination of very stony land, 30 percent Pottsville Group bedrock and high deposition of hydrogen ions and sulfate may result in transient acidification and absence of fish populations from headwater streams on Pennsylvania's Laurel Hill.     

Assessment of properties of Tunisian agricultural waste composts: Application as components in reconstituted anthropic soils and their effects on tomato yield and quality

Organic soil improvers are mainly used for their potential for preventing soil losses. This study investigates the physicochemical properties of six different organic soil improvers and their effects on the properties and productivity of reconstituted anthropic soils during short-term application compared to farm manure. Treatment materials were obtained from Tunisian agricultural waste composts (almond shell (AS), sesame bark (SB), olive cake (OC), olive mill wastewater sludge (OMWS) and poultry manure (PM)) as well as mixtures of compost-manure (CM). The characterization of soil conditioners shows that (i) nitrogen contents are higher in olive wastes and PM-based composts; (ii) carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) and the organic matter (OM) contents are in the ranges of 14.1-29.7 and 19.3-64.5%, respectively; (iii) the electrical conductivity (EC) is higher in manure (M) and compost-manure mixture (4.8-10.4 mS/cm) and (iv) pH values are alkaline (8.2-8.8). Treatments were applied as components of a reconstituted soil at a rate of 14 kg/m². Except for the manures, the mixtures of soil and treatment material (in a ratio of 600 L/28 kg) were placed in metallic basins to form the reconstituted anthropic soil. Plot areas of 2 m² were used for each treatment and 2 × 2 m² for the control. An assessment of the geochemical properties of soils during the cultivation period reveals variations in soil organic matter (SOM) contents as well as pH and EC values. Soil productivity is determined by quantitative and qualitative comparison of tomato fruits obtained from each plot amended with manure-treated soil.     

Hydrogeomorphological Controls on Groundwater Quality in the Rattaphum Catchment (Songkhla Lake Basin), Thailand

The Rattaphum Catchment comprises four major hydrogeomorphic units: mountains, footslopes, plains and inland swamps around a lake system. The area accommodates three main agro-ecosystems: vegetable, rubber and fruits. During the high-rainfall period, groundwater levels rise near to the soil surface in all agro-ecosystems. The high water levels remain for 3–4 months in the coastal plain, while in other areas the groundwater level fluctuates according to the intensity of rainfall events during the 2–3 months of the rainy season. Groundwater salinity is higher near Songkhla Lake and decreases rapidly inland. It is generally lower near streams. Salinity is also lower during periods of higher recharge, increasing slightly during the dry season due to leaching of chemicals from the agricultural areas. In the saturated sandy soils with high hydraulic conductivity and in the vegetable agro-ecosystem areas with high water levels, the NO₃ level in groundwater always exceeds the WHO standard. Variations in NO₃ levels are closely related to patterns of landuse, with higher nitrate levels commonly found in vegetable areas and lower levels associated with fruit and rubber tree plantations. Nearly all groundwater and surface water is contaminated by coliform bacteria, with the level of contamination controlled by groundwater levels, the amount of rainfall and farm activities. Vegetable agro-ecosystems, which have the most intensive cropping system, were found to be the most polluted. In all of the agro-ecosystems, the most polluted period coincided with the first series of rainfall events.     

Concentrations and Pools of Heavy Metals in Urban Soils in Stockholm,Sweden

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb andZn) and arsenic (As) were surveyed and the metal pools estimatedin soils in Stockholm Municipality. The sampling sites were distributed all over the entire municipality with a higher sampling density in the city centre. Soils were sampled to a maximum depth of 25 to 60 cm. Soil texture, total-C content, electrical conductivity and pH were analysed. Heavy metal concentrations were determined after wet digestion with boiling7 M HNO₃.The results showed a wide range in heavy metal concentrations, as well as in other soil properties. The city centre soils constituted a rather homogeneous group whereas outside this areano geographical zones could be distinguished. These soils were grouped based on present land use, i.e. undisturbed soils, public parks, wasteland (mainly former industrial areas), and roadside soils. The city centre and wasteland soils generally hadenhanced heavy metal concentrations to at least 30 cm depth compared to park soils outside the city centre and rural (arable)soils in the region, which were used to estimate background levels. For example, the mean Hg concentration was 0.9 (max 3.3)mg kg^-1 soil at 0–5 cm and 1.0 (max 2.9) at 30 cm depth in the city centre soils, while the background level was 0,04 mg kg^-1. Corresponding values for Pb were 104 (max 444) and135 (max 339) mg kg^-1, at 0–5 and 30 cm, respectively, while the background level was 17 mg kg^-1.The average soil pools (0–30 cm depth) of Cu, Pb and Zn were 21,38 and 58 g m^-2 respectively, which for Pb was 3–4 timeshigher and for Cu and Zn 1.5–2 times higher than the backgroundlevel. The total amount of accumulated metals (down to 30 cm)in the city centre soils (4.5^*10 ⁶ m² public gardens and green areas) was estimated at 80, 1.1, 120 and 40 t for Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn, respectively. The study showed (1) thatfrom a metal contamination point of view, more homogeneous soilgroups were obtained based on present land use than on geographicdistance to the city centre, (2) the importance of establishing a background level in order to quantify the degree of contamination, and (3) soil samples has to be taken below the surface layer (and deeper than 30 cm) in order to quantify theaccumulated metal pools in urban soils.     

Evaluating the Risk of Potential Acid Sulfate Soils and Habitat Modification for Mosquito Control (Runneling) in Coastal Salt Marshes: Comparing Methods and Managing the Risk

Coastal environments in Australia are under development pressures. Human settlement encroaches on disease vector salt marsh mosquito breeding areas that are underlain by potential acid sulfate soils (PASS). Altering the hydrology by runneling solves the mosquito problem but may lead to acid sulfate problems. Appropriate analytical tools can assess the risk to the environment. The objective of the research was to compare three methods of assessing PASS. The study area was a low-lying intertidal subtropical salt marsh that was being considered for runneling. The results indicated that using field pH and field peroxide pH (and the relationship between these), and also the peroxide oxidation-combined acidity and sulfate (POCAS) test, appeared to overestimate the potential acidity. This was because the source of acidity in the intertidal salt marsh includes a large organic content, which is not a major environmental concern. The chromium-reducible sulfur test, which is not affected by organic content, was found to provide the most appropriate assessment, and is recommended for use in highly organic salt marshes.     

海南岛香蕉园土壤肥力现状及变化趋势分析

对海南岛5大香蕉种植区(乐东、东方、昌江、临高、儋州)各大香蕉基地的共计57蕉园土壤样品及与之对应的20个对照样品进行了pH值、有机质、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、交换性钙镁、有效硫、有效铜锌及有效硼含量分析.结论如下:1)海南岛各大香蕉基地由于管理水平不同,其土壤肥力水平差异相当明显,以乐东地区蕉园土壤肥力为最低.2)全区蕉园土壤较对照土壤pH值降低(下降0.27～0.91个单位);有机质质量比降低(下降0.009～0.063g/kg);碱解氮质量比降低(下降0.72～22.75 mg/kg);速效磷大量积累(上升17.4%～1552.4%);速效钾质量比增加缓慢(上升161.94～312.18 mg/kg);中量元素交换性钙、速效硫含量有一定幅度的增加(Ca上升0.39～3.94cmol/kg,S上升1.52～43.00mg/kg);交换性镁有下降趋势(下降0.01～0.15 mg/kg);微量元素中速效性铜有增加趋势(上升0.16～1.49mg/kg)而速效锌、速效硼有下降趋势(Zn下降0.10～2.04mg/kg,B下降0.01～0.04mg/kg).     

Efficient remediation of different concentrations of Cr-contaminated soils by nano zero-valent iron modified with carboxymethyl cellulose and biochar

Nano zero-valent iron(nZVI)is widely used in soil remediation due to its high reactivity.However,the easy agglomeration,poor antioxidant ability and passivation layer of Fe-Cr coprecipitates of nZVI have limited its application scale in Cr-contaminated soil remedia-tion,especially in high concentration of Cr-contaminated soil.Herein,we found that the carboxymethyl cellulose on nZVI particles could increase the zeta potential value of soil and change the phase of nZVI.Along with the presence of biochar,97.0％and 96.6％Cr im-mobilization efficiency through CMC-nZVI/BC were respectively achieved in high and low concentrations of Cr-contaminated soils after 90-days remediation.In addition,the immobi-lization efficiency of Cr(Ⅵ)only decreased by 5.1％through CMC-nZVI/BC treatment after 10 weeks aging in air,attributing to the strong antioxidation ability.As for the surrounding Cr-contaminated groundwater,the Cr(Ⅵ)removal capacity of CMC-nZVI/BC was evaluated un-der different reaction conditions through column experiments and COMSOL Multiphysics.CMC-nZVI/BC could efficiently remove 85％of Cr(Ⅵ)in about 400 hr when the initial Cr(Ⅵ)concentration was 40 mg/L and the flow rate was 0.5 mL/min.This study demonstrates that uniformly dispersed CMC-nZVI/BC has an excellent remediation effect on different concen-trations of Cr-contaminated soils.     

东北三江平原土壤氧化CH4研究

三江平原土壤不同深度氧化大气浓度CH4和高浓度CH4的速率具有明显的垂直差异.2个非淹水土壤整个剖面都具有氧化大气浓度CH4的潜力, 以表层土的速率为最大.非淹水的耕作土壤残留的有机质层仍保留了较强的氧化大气浓度CH4潜力, 氧化CH4速率是耕作层的20倍.淹水土壤的大部分层次不具有氧化大气浓度CH4的潜力.所有供试土壤均能消耗高浓度CH4, 泥炭含量较高的土壤层次比矿质层氧化高浓度CH4的速率高.