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Evaluation Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus Removal In Alternative Management Practices For Dairy Farm Production Area Runoff: Bioretention Cells And A Woodchip Bioreactor Treatment System, Jillian Sarazen

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Non-point source pollution from agricultural areas can lead to the degradation of downstream water bodies, including eutrophication and harmful algal blooms, due to high concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) emanating from these areas. One source of agricultural runoff that is often overlooked, originates from agricultural production areas, which have impervious surfaces, such as paved and compacted areas, barnyards, cow paths, and silage bunker storage; these areas generate stormwater runoff and contribute to pollution during storm events.

This research evaluates two built stormwater runoff treatment systems designed to treat high concentrations of nutrients in runoff from a dairy farm. …

Nutrient Removal Performance Of A Wood Chip Bioreactor Treatment System Receiving Silage Bunker Runoff, Deborah Joy Kraft

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Silage bunker runoff is a form of agricultural pollution that contributes to aquatic ecosystem degradation. Current handling and treatment methods for this process wastewater are often ineffective or expensive. A woodchip bioreactor is an emerging treatment technology designed to facilitate denitrification through the provision of an anaerobic, carbon rich environment. A wood chip bioreactor treatment system, consisting of three pre-treatment tanks, two wood chip bioreactors, and one infiltration basin, was constructed at the Miller Research Complex in South Burlington, Vermont in 2016. Runoff and leachate from an adjacent silage storage bunker is directed into the system. The pre-treatment tanks include …