How reliable – and (net) beneficial – is the green in green infrastructure

Groffman, P. M.; Matsler, A. Marissa; Grabowski, Zbigniew R.

doi:10.1017/age.2023.6

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 29 publications

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“…Atmospheric deposition and septic system wastewater N can comprise similar input amounts at the watershed scale, but septic input is concentrated over only 1-2% of the landscape, with a large, localized volume of wastewater sufficient to result in groundwater mounding and effluent plumes extending towards local streams (Cui et al, 2016). The concentrated inputs over limited areas by septic inputs and lawn fertilization with or without irrigation creates delivery or retention patterns of N hot spots that provide opportunities for targeting N mitigation strategies (Groffman et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation of spatially distributed sources, transport, and transformation of nitrogen from fertilization and septic system in an exurban watershed

Zhang,

Band,

Groffman

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Abstract. Excess export of reactive nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO3–) export from exurban watersheds is a major source of water quality degradation and threatens the health of downstream and coastal waterbodies. Ecosystem restoration and best management practices (BMPs) can be introduced to reduce in-stream NO3– loads by promoting vegetation uptake and denitrification on uplands. However, accurately evaluating the effectiveness of these practices and setting regulations for nitrogen inputs requires an understanding of how human sources of nitrogen interact with ecohydrological systems. We evaluated how the spatial and temporal distribution of nitrogen sources, and the transport and transformation processes along hydrologic flowpaths control nitrogen cycling, export, and the development of “hot spots” of nitrogen flux in suburban ecosystems. We chose a well-monitored exurban watershed, Baisman Run in Baltimore County, Maryland, USA, to evaluate patterns of in-stream NO3– concentrations and upland nitrogen-related processes in response to three common activities: irrigation, fertilization, and on-site sanitary wastewater disposal (septic systems). We augmented a distributed ecohydrological model, RHESSys, with estimates of these additional loads to improve prediction and understanding of the factors generating both upland nitrogen cycling and stream NO3– concentrations. The augmented model predicted streamflow-weighted NO3– concentrations of 1.37 mg NO3–-N/L, compared to observed 1.44 mg NO3–-N/L, while the model predicted concentrations of 0.28 mg NO3–-N /L without the additional loads from human activities from water year 2013 to 2017. Estimated denitrification rates in grass lawns, a dominant land cover in suburban landscapes, were in the range of measured values. The highest predicted denitrification rates were downslope of lawn and septic locations in a constructed wetland, and at a sediment accumulation zone at the base of a gully receiving street drainage. These locations illustrate the development of hot spots for nitrogen cycling and export in both planned and “accidental” retention features. Appropriate siting of best BMPs and the identification of spontaneously developed nutrient hot spots should be pursued to retain nutrients and improve water quality.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation of spatially distributed sources, transport, and transformation of nitrogen from fertilization and septic system in an exurban watershed

Zhang,

Band,

Groffman

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Nexus Between Heat and Air Pollution in Urban Areas and the Role of Resilience Planning in Mitigating These Threats

Anbazu,

Antwi

2023

Adv Environ Eng Res

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Urban heat island (UHI) effects are evident in many cities globally. Studies have revealed that UHI impacts air pollution and vice versa. However, it is observed that these two severe problems are addressed independently instead of interrelatedly. The study seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the relationship between air pollution and heat and how they constantly shape urban areas for planning and future research purposes. A global shift from sustainable planning practices to building urban resilience exists in line with this. This study delves further into identifying resilient approaches to combating UHI effects and air pollution. The systematic review of existing literature revealed a complex relationship between air pollution and urban heat islands. On one end, air pollution contributes to the heating of urban areas. Similarly, urban heat island effects have an impact on air quality. These two threats appeared to be significant contributors to climate change. The study recommends that adopting resilient planning practices could play a vital role in mitigating these problems. The whole idea of resilience is to plan so that crises are anticipated, planned, and accounted for. This can be done by addressing the root causes of these problems since they are interrelated through adaptive planning, governance, and management.

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Simulation of spatially distributed sources, transport, and transformation of nitrogen from fertilization and septic systems in a suburban watershed

Zhang,

Band,

Groffman

et al. 2024

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Excess export of reactive nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO3-) from suburban watersheds is a major source of water quality degradation and threatens the health of downstream and coastal waterbodies. Ecosystem restoration and best management practices (BMPs) can be introduced to reduce in-stream NO3- loads by promoting vegetation uptake and denitrification in the upland and riparian areas. However, accurately evaluating the effectiveness of these practices and setting regulations for nitrogen inputs requires an understanding of how human sources of nitrogen interact with ecohydrological systems. We evaluated how the spatial and temporal distribution of nitrogen sources interacts with ecohydrological transport and transformation processes along surface and subsurface flow paths with respect to nitrogen cycling and export. Embedding distributed household sources of nitrogen and water within hillslope hydrologic systems influences the development of both planned and unplanned “hot spots” of nitrogen flux and retention in suburban ecosystems. We chose a well-monitored low-density suburban watershed, Baisman Run, in Baltimore County, Maryland, USA, to evaluate patterns of in-stream NO3- concentrations and terrestrial nitrogen cycling processes in response to three common activities: irrigation, fertilization, and on-site sanitary wastewater disposal (septic systems). We augmented a distributed ecohydrological model, RHESSys (Regional Hydro-Ecological Simulator System), with estimates of the spatial distribution of these loads at household parcel level to develop a predictive understanding of the factors generating upland and riparian nitrogen cycling, transport, and stream NO3- concentrations. We calibrate subsurface hydraulic parameters only without calibrating ecosystem and biogeochemical processes. The calibrated model predicted mean NO3- concentrations of 1.43 mg NO3--N L−1 compared to the observed 1.6 mg NO3--N L−1 from water year 2013 to 2017. With spatially explicit irrigation, fertilizer, and septic effluent inputs, estimated denitrification rates in grass lawns, a dominant land cover in suburban landscapes, were also in the range of previously measured values. The highest predicted denitrification rates (N retention hot spots) were downslope of lawn and septic locations in a constructed wetland and at a riparian sediment accumulation zone at the base of a gully receiving street drainage. These locations illustrate the development of hot spots for nitrogen cycling and export in both planned and “accidental” retention features. Appropriate siting of suburban nutrient management and BMPs should assess and incorporate spontaneously developed nutrient hot spots to design improved landscape ecosystem N retention and water quality.

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How reliable – and (net) beneficial – is the green in green infrastructure

Cited by 3 publications

References 29 publications

Simulation of spatially distributed sources, transport, and transformation of nitrogen from fertilization and septic system in an exurban watershed

Simulation of spatially distributed sources, transport, and transformation of nitrogen from fertilization and septic system in an exurban watershed

Nexus Between Heat and Air Pollution in Urban Areas and the Role of Resilience Planning in Mitigating These Threats

Simulation of spatially distributed sources, transport, and transformation of nitrogen from fertilization and septic systems in a suburban watershed

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