| |
|
| Submitter's Name |
Rupesh Bhomia |
| Session Name |
Poster Session: Hydrologic, Biogeochemical and Ecological Processes 1 |
| Category |
Hydrologic, biogeochemical and ecological processes |
| Poster Number |
203 |
| |
| Author(s) |
Rupesh Bhomia, University of Florida |
| |
K. Ramesh Reddy,
University of Florida |
| |
Mike Korvela, South Florida Water Management District |
| |
Delia Ivanoff, South Florida Water Management District |
| |
|
| |
Soil nutrient storages in the Stormwater Treatment Areas of the Everglades basin. |
| |
|
| |
Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are constructed to reduce phosphorus (P) loads to the Everglades Protection Area (EPA). Six STAs (45,000 acres) were strategically located to reduce P loads to EPA. These STAs have been in operation for varying time periods ranging from 4 to 15 years and are differentiated into cells having emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation. We have used the existing soil chemical data collected by the South Florida Water Management District to determine the capacity of STAs to store P, nitrogen (N), carbon (C). Relationship between C and N storages relative to P was explored for samples collected during water Year 2007 (May, 2006 – April, 2007). The range of C sequestration with respect to P varied from 444 g C/ g P (STA-5, 9 years) to 594 g C/ g P (STA-2, 8 years) in the floc and top 10 cm soil layer. The range of N sequestration with respect to P varied from 46 g N/ g P (STA-1W, 13 years) to 31 g N/ g P (STA-1E, 3 years) in the floc and top 10 cm soil layer. Surface soil accretion represents only recently accreted material and does not represent total accretion since its operation, especially in STAs operated for longer periods. However, in the recently constructed STAs, the 10 cm soil layer may represent historical TP and TC storage. Understanding the rate of soil accretion and identifying factors responsible for long term stability of this sequestered material forms the next step of this research activity. |
| |