Title

Cyclic biogeochemical processes and nitrogen fate beneath a subtropical stormwater infiltration basin

Authors

Authors

A. M. O'Reilly; N. B. Chang;M. P. Wanielista

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Contam. Hydrol.

Keywords

Biogeochemical processes; Denitrification; Nitrogen cycle; Stormwater; infiltration; Cyclic variability; LARGE KARSTIC SPRINGS; UNITED-STATES; NITRATE CONTAMINATION; GROUNDWATER; RECHARGE; ORGANIC-MATTER; FRESH-WATER; DENITRIFICATION; SOIL; AQUIFER; OXYGEN; Environmental Sciences; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary; Water Resources

Abstract

A stormwater infiltration basin in north-central Florida, USA, was monitored from 2007 through 2008 to identify subsurface biogeochemical processes, with emphasis on N cycling, under the highly variable hydrologic conditions common in humid, subtropical climates. Cyclic variations in biogeochemical processes generally coincided with wet and dry hydrologic conditions. Oxidizing conditions in the subsurface persisted for about one month or less at the beginning of wet periods with dissolved O-2 and NO3- showing similar temporal patterns. Reducing conditions in the subsurface evolved during prolonged flooding of the basin. At about the same time O-2 and NO3- reduction concluded, Mn, Fe and SO42- reduction began, with the onset of methanogenesis one month later. Reducing conditions persisted up to six months, continuing into subsequent dry periods until the next major oxidizing infiltration event. Evidence of denitrification in shallow groundwater at the site is supported by median NO3--N less than 0.016 mg L-1, excess N-2 up to 3 mg L-1 progressively enriched in delta N-15 during prolonged basin flooding, and isotopically heavy delta N-15 and delta O-18 of NO3- (up to 25 parts per thousand and 15 parts per thousand, respectively). Isotopic enrichment of newly infiltrated stormwater suggests denitrification was partially completed within two days. Soil and water chemistry data suggest that a biogeochemically active zone exists in the upper 1.4 m of soil, where organic carbon was the likely electron donor supplied by organic matter in soil solids or dissolved in infiltrating stormwater. The cyclic nature of reducing conditions effectively controlled the N cycle, switching N fate beneath the basin from NO3- leaching to reduction in the shallow saturated zone. Results can inform design of functionalized soil amendments that could replace the native soil in a stormwater infiltration basin and mitigate potential NO3- leaching to groundwater by replicating the biogeochemical conditions under the observed basin. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Volume

133

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

53

Last Page

75

WOS Identifier

WOS:000304634500005

ISSN

0169-7722

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