Field test of plants and fungi on bioretention performance over time

Fish and Wildlife Service

Description

Recent bench and field scale bioretention studies have indicated a significant potential for pollutant exports from bioretention installations that meet the SMMWW specifications. Replicated mesocosm studies indicate that the role of plants in bioretention systems needs further research to evaluate whether adding plants as an installation amendment provides additional pollution control benefits. Recent studies have also indicated that wood-decomposing fungi can be used in bioretention mulch to achieve unique environmental services. This project will evaluate the effects of plants and fungi on toxicity, water quality, and hydraulic properties of bioretention cells under field conditions. Four treatments (no plants / no fungi; plants / no fungi; no plants / fungi; plants / fungi) will be evaluated in triplicate. The study will use a bioretention soil mix recommended by the WA Department of Ecology and a plant community informed by the ongoing WSU Puyallup mesocosm study. The results will critically inform the Regional Stormwater Management Programâ¿¿s goal to optimize bioretention systems and evaluate the risk of nutrient and metal exports from bioretention soil and will help to understand the interplay of soils, plants, and fungi and their role in stormwater remediation.

Who can apply

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Contact

Jay Davis 360 753-9568<br/>jay_davis@fws.gov<br/>
jay_davis@fws.gov