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Runoff Water Quality from Turfgrass Established Using Volume‐Based Composted Municipal Biosolids Applications
Author(s) -
Hansen N. E.,
Vietor D. M.,
Munster C. L.,
White R. H.,
Provin T. L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2006.0256
Subject(s) - surface runoff , biosolids , environmental science , water quality , hydrology (agriculture) , soil water , cynodon dactylon , agronomy , environmental engineering , soil science , ecology , biology , geology , geotechnical engineering
Municipal programs for turfgrass establishment recommend large volume‐based application rates of composted municipal biosolids (CMB). This study compared runoff water quality among combinations of two common turfgrass establishment practices and two CMB sources. Bryan‐ or Austin‐CMB were incorporated into 5 cm of soil at a rate of 12.5 or 25% by volume (v/v) on an 8.5% slope. Tifway bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt‐Davy, var. Tifway] sprigs were planted and established; sod, produced at a separate site using either CMB amendment at the 25% v/v rate, was transplanted to the runoff plots on the same day. A mature stand of bermudagrass was used as a control. Runoff water was collected after each of eight natural rain events during the sampling period. Total runoff water loss (mm) was similar for the CMB‐amended sprigged and transplanted sod stands. The concentration of total dissolved P (TDP) in runoff water was greatest from the transplanted sod in the first seven rain events (4.1 to 7.5 mg L −1 ). The concentration of TDP in runoff water was similar at both the 12.5 and 25% v/v incorporation rates. Regression analysis indicated Mehlich‐3‐extractable soil test P concentrations in soil amended with CMB were positively correlated to concentration and mass loss of dissolved P in runoff. At similar application rates, dissolved P loss in runoff water was reduced by incorporating CMB into the soil on site rather than transplanting sod produced with CMB.