|
|||||
|
|
Hydrologic and Water Quality Aspects of Using a Compost/Mulch Blend for Erosion Control |
|
| Authors: | Bradley Eck Michael Barrett Anne McFarland Larry Hauck |
| Affiliation: | 1Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX 78712. E-mail: brad.eck@mail.utexas.edu 2Research Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX 78712 (corresponding author). E-mail: mbarrett@mail.utexas.edu 3Research Scientist, Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Tarleton State Univ., Stephenville, TX 76402. E-mail: mcfarla@tiaer.tarleton.edu 4Deputy Director for Environmental Sciences, Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Tarleton State Univ., Stephenville, TX 76402. E-mail: hauck@tiaer.tarleton.edu |
| Abstract: | Construction projects often expose large amounts of soil to erosive forces of wind and rain. These areas must be stabilized and vegetated before a Notice of Termination can be submitted to regulators. The objectives of this project were to compare the stabilization performance of two types of compost wood mulch blend top dressing (low and high organic matter), a wood based hydromulch, and seeded bare soil and to determine the amount of sediment and nutrients exported from each type of treatment. Ten test plots (12.2×2.4?m2) were constructed at a quarry in Parker County, Texas and outfitted with runoff capture systems. Runoff quality and quantity was evaluated for 2 years after installation. Sediment discharge was reduced by 98% on the compost/mulch blend plots and about 75% with hydromulch treatment compared to bare plots. Treatments reduced nutrient loads, although runoff concentrations of nitrate and dissolved P from compost treated plots were often higher than from bare soil or hydromulch plots. |
| Keywords: | Soil erosion Stormwater management Composting Vegetation Water quality |