Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Biosolids land applicators, environmental regulators, extension agents, consultants,farmers, scientiests, graduate and undergraduate students. Changes/Problems:We were unable to procure additional funding to further project research activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Information from the study of biosolids P was used in the project director's dual-level (undergraduate/graduate) course, Geographic Information Systems in Soil Science and Agriculture. The Carolina Bay delineation effort contributed to the professional development of a PhD researcher in the areas of GIS, image analysis, and spatial statistics. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A chapter on beneficial use of municipal biosolids was disseminated in an Extension publication. A talk regarding "Biosolids P Solubility for the NC P Loss Assessment Tool: PLAT" was prepared and delivered at a conference of water and wastewater professionals. Results from the same biosolids research were discussed with environmentalregulators. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A presentation was made to a conference of water and wastewater professionals regarding relationships between water resource recovery facility (a.k.a., wastewater treatment plant, sewage treatment plant) treatment processes and biosolids P characteristics. A chapter in the North Carolina Agricultural Chemical Handbook on the beneficial use of municipal biosolids was updated and published. A poster was prepared and presented at two scientific conferences to document an inventory of Carolina Bay wetlands using soil properties, satellite remote sensing, land-use change. Many of these wetlands were/have been drained for agriculture and forestry and are prime targets for restoration. However, restoration of Bay wetlands that have a history of phosphorus fertilization often leads to a pulse of P in drainage water, posing a eutrophication risk downstream.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
White, J.G. 2016 Determination of Biosolids Phosphorus Content and Solubility and Their Relationships with Water Resource Recovery Processes.North Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association (NC AWWA) & The North Carolina Member Association of the Water Environment Federation (NC WEA) 96th Annual Conference November 13-16, 2016
Raleigh North Carolina
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
White, J.G., Sullivan, D.G., Vepraskas, M.J. 2016. Using Land-Use Change, Soil Characteristics, and a Semi-Automated On-Line GIS Database to Inventory Carolina Bays. 2016 ASA, CSSA, & SSSA International Annual Meetings. Phoenix, Arizona. Presentation or Abstract Number 100607; Poster No. 474-0134
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
White, J.G. 2017. Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids. In North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Handbook. Chapter IV: Fertilizer Use.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
White, J.G., Sullivan, D.G., Vepraskas, M.J. 2017. Using Land-Use Change, Soil Characteristics, and a Semi-Automated On-Line GIS Database to Inventory Carolina Bays. Poster presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Soil Science Society of North Carolina, 17 January 2017. Raleigh, NC.
|
Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Biosolids land applicators, environmental regulators, extension agents, and farmers. Graduate and undergraduate students. Changes/Problems:Funding for this research has lapsed, making continuation difficult. A section of the Non-Technical Summary was inadvertantly omitted in the initial project report (10/1/12-9/30/13). The omitted lext: For the wetland research, we will study the P status of a prior-drained Carolina Bay wetland that was farmed for over 30 years then restored to a wetland. To do this we will analyze soil samples taken before and after restoration and measure P leaving the bay in surface drainage. We will analyzesatellite imagery to determine if P loss from the Bay can be detected as changes in downstream vegetation induced by higher-than-normal stream-water P concentrations. To assess the potential P loss from the restoration of prior-drained Carolina Bays used for agriculture, we will first develop methods to locate and characterize Carolina Bays using aerial and satellite imagery and soil characteristics. We will then document the land-use changes of the Bays over the past 30 years. Based on this and other information, we will estimate the potential prior and future P loss to surface waters as a result of restoration of prior-drained Bays and the threat that this might pose to downstream nutrient-sensitive waters. This information could be used to choose Carolina bay restoration sites to minimize adverse P-based water quality consequences due to restoration. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Information from the study of biosolids P was used in the PDs dual-level (undergraduate/graduate) course, Geographic Information Systems in Soil Science and Agriculture. The Carolina Bay delineation effort contributed to theprofessional development of a PhD researcher in the areas of GIS, image analysis, and spatial statistics. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A chapter on beneficial use of municipal biosolids was disseminated in an Extension publication. A talk regarding "Biosolids P Solubility for the NC P Loss Assessment Tool: PLAT" was prepared and delivered at theGranville Farms Residuals Biosolids Field Day/Refresher Course, Oxford, NC. Results from the same biosolids research were discussed with environmental regulators. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Biosolids: Document the treatment process survey by statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and submission to a refereed scientific journal, with dissemination elsewhere as appropriate. Revise an extension publication on beneficial use of municipal biosolids. Disseminate in appropriate fora as possible.Seek grant funding to continue related research. Wetland P: Continue data analysis and manuscript preparation for an article for submission to a refereed journal regarding the assessment of the risk to downstream water quality from the restoration of agricultural prior-drainedCarolina Bay wetlands. Disseminate in appropriate fora as possible.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
An article on relationships between water resource recovery facility (a.k.a., wastewater treatment plant, sewage treatment plant) treatment processes and biosolids P characteristics was published in a refereed journal. A chapterin the NC Agricultural Chemical Handbook on the beneficial use of municipal biosolids was revised, updated subtantially, and published. To do this, I worked with the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality to retrieve annual reports from the State's largest water resource recovery facilities reports and glean up-to-date information on the physical properties and nutrient contents of the biosolids they produced. An anticle on inventorying Carolina Bay wetlands using soil properties, satellite remote sensing, land-use change, and GIS was shepherded through the review and revision process and published in a refereed scientic journal. Data were analyzed and a preliminary draft written for an article for submission to a refereed journal regarding the assessment of the risk to downstream water quality from the restoration of agricultural prior-drainedCarolina Bay wetlands.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
White, J.G., and D.L. Lindbo. 2016. Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids. In North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Handbook. Chapter IV: Fertilizer Use.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Jameson, M., J.G. White, D.L. Osmond, and T. Aziz. 2016. Determination of Biosolids Phosphorus Solubility and Its Relationship to Wastewater Treatment. Water Environment Research 88 (7):602-610. https://doi.org/10.2175/106143016X14609975746406
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Sullivan, D.G., J.G. White, and M.J. Vepraskas. Using Land-Use Change, Soil Characteristics, and a Semi-Automated On-Line GIS Database to Inventory Carolina Bays. Wetlands 37:8998.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
White, J.G., C.J. DAiuto, and J.L. Heitman. 2016. Estimating Statewide Soil Moisture Using an In Situ Sensing Network and Passive Microwave Remote Sensing. Chapter 12 in: Advancing STEM and GIS in Higher Education. D.J. Cowen, ed. ESRI, Redlands, CA.
|
Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Biosolids land applicators, environmental regulators, extension agents, and farmers. Graduate and undergraduate students. Changes/Problems:Funding for this research has lapsed, making continuation difficult. Analysis of data in hand will continue as possible. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The biosolids work was the thesis project of an MS graduate research assistant, who developed skills in survey design and implementation, laboratory analysis, and dissemination of research results. The Carolina Bay P balance work was one aspect of the dissertation research of a PhD graduate research assistant. The Carolina Bay delineation effort contributed to the professional development of a PhD researcher in the areas of GIS, image analysis, and spatial statistics. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results of the biosolids research were shared with personnel from the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources and its Residual Phosphorus Stakeholders Group, which consists of regulators, land application consultants, scientists, and representatives from WWTPs and environmental NGOs. Project objectives, design, and results were shared with USEPA-RTP and NCSU scientists in a joint forum and presented at several scientific conferences and extension field days for consulting soil scientists, land appliers, and regulators. Some of the biosolids results were reported in a refereed scientific journal article that is in press. Some of the wetland restoration P results formed the basis of a manuscript submitted to a refereed scientific journal and is under review. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Biosolids: Document the treatment process survey by publishing in a refereed scientific journal and disseminating elsewhere as possible. Seek grant funding to continue the research. Wetland P: Document P-loss risk research in a refereed scientific journal and disseminating elsewhere as possible.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Documenting and characterizing treatment processes used by large municipal water resource recovery facilities (WRRF, a.k.a., wastewater treatment plants) is important to understand how they affect the fate of phosphorus (P) contained in sewage. There are USEPA and NC Dept. of Environmental Quality regulations restricting the P content of treated effluent discharged from WRRF into surface waters. These protect water quality, which is adversely affected when elevated P levels of P induce algae blooms, with consequent oxygen depletion leading to death of aquatic species such as fish and mollusks. All of the P entering the WRRF is conserved: what does not leave in effluent is retained in biosolids, the solid or semisolid residue that is typically recycled by land application as a fertilizer and beneficial soil amendment. However, P in land-applied biosolids can escape fields and enter surface waters with the adverse consequences. To minimize such losses, applications to NC agricultural fields of P in fertilizers and animal waste is guided by the NC P Loss Assessment Tool (PLAT). PLAT estimates the risk of P loss from individual fields and determines P rates that may be applied to minimize that risk. PLAT can produce these estimates for chemical fertilizer and animal wastes, but data to use the tool with biosolids is lacking. This project generated the data needed to use PLAT to estimate P-loss risk from land-applied biosolids. In NC, many wetlands have been drained for farming and forestry. However, wetlands help maintain water quality, mitigate runoff and flooding, and provide wildlife habitat, and many prior-drained fields are being restored to wetlands. Prior-drained agricultural fields typically have high soil P due to many years of P fertilization. Restoration of these fields tends to solubilize soil P, which can enter streams and river, with the adverse consequences detailed above. Carolina Bays are oval, particularly oriented landforms common to southeastern US coastal plane from NJ down to FL. Typically, Bay characteristics made/make them prime candidates for drainage and these drained Bays are prime candidates for restoration. An inventory of Bays is needed to understand the extent and magnitude of potential P loss from restoration. Bays are evident in aerial and satellite imagery, but documenting and characterizing them is tedious and time consuming; only SC and GA have statewide inventories. We developed methods to readily locate Bays using soil characteristics and land-use change history derived from multiple years of satellite imagery, then delineate them in a semi-automated fashion to expand an on-line Bay inventory. By documenting drained Carolina Bays, the P-loss threat can be estimated to guide restoration and protect water quality. Biosolids Objective 1: Document treatment processes of the highest-volume biosolids (BS) generators in NC, typically large municipal water resource recovery facilities (WRRF, a.k.a., waste water treatment plants) We characterized treatment processes of 28 large municipal WRRF. Ninety-three percent used grit chambers in preliminary treatment and returned liquid from sludge thickening to primary treatment. Polymers and gravity belt thickeners were used in sludge thickening by 68 and 61% of WWTP, respectively. For dewatering, polymers and belt presses were used by 60% and 50%, respectively. Only 68% measured influent P. Two WRRF produced both Class A and Class B BS. There were eight Class A BS and 20 Class B BS, which represented 29 and 71% of WRRF, respectively. All BS came from WRRF that used biologically activated sludge process, but only 12 used biological nutrient removal (BNR). Of these, 3.6% manipulated processes to maximize nitrification, 14.6% nitrification and denitrification, and 25% reported trying to remove both N and P. One facility was unique in using wet air oxidation (WAO) to stabilize sludge and remove the solids. We used hierarchical cluster analysis to classify the WRRF and biosolids but the results we difficult to interpret and we were unable to relate them to biosolids P characteristics. Objective 2: Determine biosolids P partitioning and P source coefficients (PSC). Total P (TP) in BS varied considerably depending on type and treatment process, 0.4 to 73.2 g kg-1. Average TP in Class A alkaline stabilized BS was more than five times less than the average of the other BS, 5.0 vs. 26.6 g kg-1, respectively. Total P varied seasonally: winter TP was greater than both summer and fall TP, 31.3 vs. 17.8 and 21.8 g kg-1, respectively. We cannot conclude that these differences were due to change in seasons; this deserves further exploration. Biosolids water-extractable P (WEP) ranged from 0.02 to 9.1 g kg-1 and the proportion of WEP (PWEP) from 0.2 to 35.2%. Averaged over BS, WEP and PWEP were 1.4 g kg-1 and 5.0%, respectively. Biosolids PWEP was relatively low compared to other nutrient sources such as chemical fertilizers and animal wastes. PWEP and WEP were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.89). Objective 3: Determine if biosolids P content and PSC were related to WWTP processes. We developed BS categories for implementation in PLAT based on the relationships of P with treatment processes. These categories included "Class Aalkaline," "Class A-heat," "Class B-slurry," and "Class B-cake." We concluded that stabilization processes used to meet pathogen reduction requirements reduced the soluble forms of P in BS substantially. Objective 4: Modify PLAT to determine biosolids P-loss risk. We lacked the resources to modify PLAT. Wetland Restoration Objective 1: Determine the amount and timing of P released from Juniper Bay. The contribution of P to surface waters was estimated using a P balance based on samples taken prior to and eight years after restoration. The soil P pool appeared to decrease, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was an initial flush of P in surficial drainage soon after restoration, but overall P loss was small and insufficient to cause eutrophication. We concluded that Juniper Bay did not degrade water quality of receiving streams following restoration. Objective 3: At the county/regional scale, estimate the area of Carolina bay wetlands currently or recently in agriculture, their potential P contribution in offsite drainage, and the threat this might pose to nutrient-sensitive, P- limited waters. We developed and evaluated a novel way to identify and delineate Bays using Bay-dense Bladen County, NC as a testbed. We posited that Bay land use had changed in the past 40 years. We classed decadal Landsat images as forest, agriculture, urban, and water. We used 812 previously delineated Bays to identify common Bay soils. From areas with both common Bay soils and land-use change, we delineated 548 new Bays using a semi-automated on-line digitization tool. We saved new Bays to a Google Fusion Table for download and integration within a geographic information system. We assessed errors of omission and commission and estimated an overall accuracy of 74 to 86%. Errors included omission of some small Bays (3.3-14.6% of total Bay area digitized) and commission of misclassified Bays (11% of 1,360 Bays). With 1,360 delineated Bladen-County Bays, we estimated that as many as 478 have not yet been identified. Unclassified Bays are most likely 15 small, <5.76 ha.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
White, J.G. and D. L. Lindbo Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids. 2015. North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Handbook. Chapter IV: Fertilizer Use
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Jameson, M., J.G. White, D.L. Osmond, and T. Aziz. Determination of Biosolids Phosphorus Solubility and Its Relationship to Wastewater Treatment. Water Environment Research
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Sullivan D.G., J.G. White, and M. Vepraskas. Using a Semi-Automated GIS Database and Land Use Change as a Means to Inventory Carolina Bays. Wetlands
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
White, J.G.,C.J. DAiuto, and J.L. Heitman. Estimating Statewide Soil Moisture Using an In Situ Sensing Network and Passive
Microwave Remote Sensing. Chapter 12 in: Advancing STEM and GIS in Higher Education. D.J. Cowen, ed. ESRI, Redlands, CA.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Petras, V., A. Petrasova, H. Mitasova, and J.G. White. Spatio-Temporal Data Visualization in GRASS GIS: Desktop and Web solutions. Transactions in GIS.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Petras, V., A. Petrasova, H. Mitasova, and J.G. White. Tangible Exploration of Subsurface Data. Transactions in GIS.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
White, J.G., G. Payne, R. Boston, M. Youssef, M. Kudenov, and G. Wilkerson. AMPLIFY: Agrosphere Modeling for Producing Large Increases in Food Yield: An Interdisciplinary Research Platform for High Yield Agriculture. Stewards of the Future: Water for a Growing World. November 2, 2015. McKimmon Center, NC State University, Raleigh.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
White, J.G, M.C. Jameson, D. L. Osmond, and T.N. Aziz. 2015. Biosolids Phosphorus Parameters for the Phosphorus Loss Assessment Tool: Relationships with Production Practices. In Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. North Carolina Ann. Meeting 58th, McKimmon Center Raleigh, NC, 20-21 January 2015. Available at http://www.sssnc.org/annual-meetings/proceedings/2015/Posters/White.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
White, J.G. 2015. Fork to Farm: Land Application of Biosolids. NC Certified Crop Advisor Training. 12/10/15. Johnston Co. Agricultural Center. Smithfield, NC
|
Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Biosolids land applicators, environmental regulators, extension agents, and farmers. Graduate and undergraduate students. Changes/Problems: Funding for this research has lapsed, making continuation difficult. Analysis of data in hand will continue as possible. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The biosolids work was the thesis project of an MS graduate research assistant, who developed skills in survey design and implementation, laboratory analysis, and dissemination of research results. The Carolina Bay P balance work was one aspect of the dissertation research of a PhD graduate research assistant. The Carolina Bay delineation effort contributed to the professional development of a PhD researcher in the areas of GIS, image analysis, and spatial statistics. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Preliminary results of the bioslids research were shared with personnel from the NCDENR Division of Water Quality and with its Residual Phosphorus Stakeholders Group, which consists of regulators, land application consultants, scientists, and representatives from WWTPs and environmental NGOs. Project objectives, design, and preliminary results were aslo shared with USEPA-RTP and NCSU scientists in a joint forum. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Biosolids: Document the research by publishing in a refereed scientic journal and disseminating elsewhere as possible. Wetland P: Document the research by publishing in a refereed scientific journal and disseminating elsewhere as possible. Continue an assessment of the risk that restoration of prior-drained Carolina Bays may pose to surface water quality.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Biosolids Objective 1: Document treatment processes of the highest-volume biosolids generators in NC, typically large municipal waste water treatment plants (WWTP): We conducted a survey to determine the characteristics and treatment processes of the highest-volume biosolids generators in NC, large municipal WWTP. We surveyed 26 WWTP and found that measured effluent total P, as all discharge facilities within NC must monitor and report effluent P to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Ninety-three percent of the WWTP used grit chambers in preliminary treatment and returned liquid from sludge thickening to primary treatment. Polymers and gravity belt thickeners were used in sludge thickening zones by 68 and 61% of WWTP, respectively. In the dewatering zone, polymers and belt presses were used by 60% and 50%, respectively. Only 68% measured influent TP.Of the 26 participating facilities, two produced both Class A and Class B BS. Overall, there were eight Class A BS and 20 Class B BS, which represented 29 and 71% of WWTPs, respectively. All 28 of the BS analyzed came from WWTPs that used some form of biologically activated sludge process, but only 12 used biological nutrient removal (BNR). Of the 43% that used BNR, 3.6% manipulated their systems to maximize nitrification, 14.6% nitrification and denitrification, and 25% reported that they are trying to remove both N and P. One facility was unique in using wet air oxidation (WAO) to assist in stabilizing the sludge and removing the solids from the supernatant. This is a physicochemical process where, oxygen reacts with organic matter under high temperature and pressure with the goal of converting the substances to simpler forms, or complete oxidation to CO2 and water. We used hierarchical cluster analysis to classify the WWTPs and biosolids. Interpretation of the resulting dendrogram proved difficult and is not be detailed here. Objective 2: Determine biosolids P partitioning and P source coefficients (PSC). Total P (TP) in BS varied considerably depending on type of BS and treatment process, 0.4 to 73.2 g kg-1. The average TP in Class A alkaline stabilized BS was more than five times less than the average of the other BS, 5.0 vs. 26.6 g kg-1, respectively. Total P varied seasonally: averaged over BS, winter TP was greater than both summer and fall TP, 31.3 vs. 17.8 and 21.8 g kg-1, respectively. We cannot definitively conclude that these differences were due to change in seasons, and this deserves further exploration. Biosolids water-extractable P (WEP) ranged from 0.02 to 9.1 g kg-1 and the proportion of WEP (PWEP) from 0.2 to 35.2%. Averaged over BS, WEP and PWEP were 1.4 g kg-1 and 5.0%, respectively. Biosolids PWEP was relatively low compared to other nutrient sources such as triple superphosphate (100%) and manures (e.g., 25 - 85%). Percent water-extractable P and WEP were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.89). Objective 3: Determine if biosolids P content and PSC were related to WWTP processes. We developed BS categories for implementation in PLAT based on the relationships of P with treatment processes. These categories included "Class A-alkaline," "Class A-heat," "Class B-slurry," and "Class B-cake." We concluded that stabilization processes used to meet pathogen reduction requirements reduced the soluble forms of P in BS substantially. Objective 4: Modify PLAT to determine biosolids P-loss risk. Dissolved P in runoff has been found to be controlled by P solubility, so the potential for soluble P loss from land-applied NC BS is low. Understanding the potential environmental implications of land applying BS will be a function not only of the type of BS being applied, but also the application rate, method of application, and site-specific factors. Implementing our recommended BS categories in PLAT would allow the tool to be used when BS are applied, thus BS application rates could be based on both N and/or P as appropriate. Relative to N-based BS applications, basing them on P would likely decrease application rates, reduce the number of eligible receiving fields, and shorten the time soils can receive BS, thus making land application more costly. Hence, widespread adoption of a P-based approach may foster development of alternative beneficial uses of BS other than land application. Wetland Restoration Objective 1: Determine the amount and timing of P released from Juniper Bay. The contribution of P to surface waters was estimated using a P balance. The change in soil P was evaluated using samples taken prior to restoration and eight years after restoration. The soil P pool appeared to decrease, but the difference was not statistically significant. While there was an initial flush of P in surficial drainage from the Bay soon after restoration, overall P loss to surface waters was small and P concentrations not high enough to cause eutrophication. We concluded that Juniper Bay did not contribute to degradation of water quality of nearby streams following restoration. Objective 3: At the county/regional scale, estimate the area of Carolina bay wetlands currently or recently in agriculture, their potential P contribution in offsite drainage, and the threat this might pose to nutrient-sensitive, P-limited waters. We used Landsat images to derive land-use change maps in four categories: forest, agriculture, urban, and water. We used existing Bay inventories and soil maps to catalog commonly observed Bay soils, and lidar-derived digital elevation models to characterize Bay relief. We then used a semi-automated on-line digitization tool to delineate newly identified Bays by resizing a Bay-shaped and oriented ellipse over them and saving to a Google fusion table for download and integration within a geographic information system. We estimated that this directed, semi-automated digitization technique accurately captured 77 to 81% of the Carolina Bays in Bladen County. Errors included omission of some small bays (8.8 - 14.6%) and commission of misclassified Bays (11%). In total, 1,360 Carolina Bays have been identified in Bladen County, and it is estimated that as many as 300 have not yet been identified.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Jameson, M., J.G. White, and D.L. Osmond. 2014. Determination of Biosolids Phosphorus Solubility and Its Relationship to Wastewater Treatment. 2014 Water Resources Research Institute & NC Water Resources Assoc. Ann. Conf. and Symposium 2014. Raleigh.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
White, J.G. 2014. Effects of Biosolids Source, Rate, and Receiving Soil on Estimates of Plant-Available Nitrogen. Biosolids Land Application Training, 29 May 2014. Granville Farms, Oxford, NC.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
White, J.G., D.R. Dodd, and R. Walters. 2014. Land Applied Biosolids Source, Rate and Receiving Soil Affect Laboratory Estimates of Plant Available Nitrogen. p. 190-210. In M.F. White,(ed.) Proc. Annu. Meeting Soil Science Society of North Carolina, 57th, Raleigh 21-22 Jan. 2014. Raleigh.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
White, J.G. and D. L. Lindbo Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids. 2014. North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Handbook. Chapter IV: Fertilizer Use
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Walters, R., and J.G. White. 2014. Tillage Effects on Soil Physical Quality Inferred from Indicators and Pore Volume Density Critical Limits. Soil Sci. Soc. N.C. 57th Annual Mtg., January 21-22, 2014. Raleigh.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Bordeaux, C., J.M. Grossman, C., White, J., Pietrosemoli-Castagni, S., Osmond, D., and Poore, M. Optimizing nutrient management within integrated outdoor swine production systems. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 69(2):120-130.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Jameson, M., J.G. White, and D.L. Osmond 2013. Determination of Biosolids Phosphorus Solubility and Its Relationship to Wastewater Treatment. Annu. Meet., Soil Science Soc. America, Tampa, FL, 3-6 Nov. 2013. Session 92-16, Poster#1300. Abstract available, available at https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2013am/webprogram/Paper77563.html. Poster available at https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2013am/webprogram/Handout/Paper77563/Jameson%20Agronomy%20Meeting%20Poster%2010.31.13%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Jameson, M., J.G. White, and D.L. Osmond. 2014. Determination of Biosolids Phosphorus Solubility and Its Relationship to Wastewater Treatment. Soil Sci. Soc. N.C. 57th Annual Mtg., January 21-22, 2014. Raleigh.
|
Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Biosolids land applicators, environmental regulators, extension agents, and farmers. Graduate and undergraduate students. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The biosolids work is the thesis project of an MS graduate research assistant, who developed skills in survey design and implementation. The Carolina Bay P balance work was one aspect of the dissertation research of a PhD graduate research assistant. The Carolina Bay delineation effort contributed to the professional development of a PhD researcher in the areas of GIS, image analysis, and spatial statistics. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Preliminary results of the bioslids research were shared with personnel from the NCDENR Division of Water Quality and with its Residual Phosphorus Stakeholders Group, which consists of regulators, land application consultants, scientists, and representatives from WWTPs and environmental NGOs. Project objectives, design, and preliminary results were aslo shared with USEPA-RTP and NCSU scientists in a joint forum. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Biosolids: Carry out statistical analysis of WWTP survey results, continue to collect and analyze BS from cooperating WWTP, and conduct preliminary statistical analyses of biosolids P and their and relationships to WWTP characteristics and processes. Disseminate results as appropriate. Wetland P: Continue to develop methods to identify and delineate Carolina Bays. Document land-use change in Carolina bays, particularly clearing and drainage for agriculture and forestry and subsequent restoration to wetlands. Disseminate results as appropriate.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Biosolids: Objective 1: Document treatment processes of the highest-volume biosolids generators in NC, typically large municipal waste water treatment plants (WWTP). Using data from the NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), we developed a list of qualifying WWTP. We developed a generalized WWTP flow chart which we used to develop an on-line survey questionnaire to be completed by collaborating WWTP "operators in responsible charge" (ORC). We garnered the cooperation of ORCs and conducted the survey. Objective 2: Determine biosolids P partitioning and P source coefficients (PSC). We began to sample biosolids from the cooperating WWTP and determine their dry matter, soluble P, and total P content. Wetland restoration: Objective 1: Determined the amount and timing of P released from Juniper Bay. We continued to monitor the volume and P content of surface water outflow from Juniper Bay and made initial calculations of the P loss. We also developed a stratified soil sampling scheme for obtaining Bay samples for comparison to samples taken prior to restoration. Objective 2) Determine if downstream vegetation exhibited enhanced growth associated with post-restoration nutrient outflow. We used aerial and satellite imagery to delineate down-stream riparian vegetation and still waters likely to receive P-laden outflow from Juniper Bay. We sought and obtained Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) imagery for the periods prior to and after Bay restoration. We analyzed these using several spectral vegetation indexes, but were unable to detect vegetation changes that might have been associated with enhanced P levels in Juniper Bay outflow. Objective 3) At the county/regional scale, estimate the area of Carolina bay wetlands currently or recently in agriculture, their potential P contribution in offsite drainage, and the threat this might pose to nutrient-sensitive, P-limited waters. We began to develop methods for identifying and delineating Carolina Bays using Bladen County as our testbed. We attempted unsuccessfully to do this using aerial and satellite imagery and pattern recognition to identify and delineate Bays based on their ovoid shape and NW to SE orientation Instead, we cataloged soils types commonly found in Carolina Bays and used these, along with with topography derived from lidar, to identify Bays.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Pan, Weinan, R. P. Boyles, J. G. White, J. L. Heitman, 2012: Characterizing Soil Physical Properties for Soil Moisture Monitoring with the North Carolina Environment and Climate Observing Network. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 29, 933943. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-11-00104.1
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
J. G. White, and D. L. Lindbo. 2013. Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids
Soil Science. 2013 NC Agricultural Chemicals Manual, Ch. 4-Fertilizer Use.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
White, J.G., R. Dodd, R. Walters, D. Lindbo, D. Osmond, and D. Hardy, 2013. Mineralization, Plant Availability, and Water Quality Consequences of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Land-Applied Municipal Biosolids. Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina. Report. No. 432.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
White, J.G. 2013.Protecting Water Quality by Managing N and P in Land-Applied Biosolids. Joint US EPA & NCSU Interactive Collaboration Forum & Poster Session. 28 March 2013. USEPA RTP
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