Improving Surface Water Quality through Use of Industrial by-Products in Constructed Filter Structures.

Degradation of surface water quality can occur due to runoff and subsurface drainage possessing high nutrient concentrations.  Sources of non-point nutrient losses include agricultural, horticultural, recreational, and urban landscapes.  Various industrial waste by-products have been shown to possess a strong affinity for nutrients such as phosphorus (P).  The objective of this study was to construct a filter structure using industrial waste by-products to directly remove P from runoff and subsurface drainage waters among fertilized turf grass plots.  Design of filter structure, P removal effectiveness of by-product in filter structure, and overall impact on water quality will be discussed.