Continued Monitoring of Stormwater Effluents from Filter Media in Two Bioslope Sites

Status: Complete
Report Date: 07/13/2021

Summary:

Bioslopes are among the methods MnDOT uses to control roadway stormwater runoff. Engineered bioslopes slope down from the roadway and mimic the natural landscape. They use special filtration media such as new compost and sand, which is trucked into road construction sites. This filter media holds and slowly filters rainwater, and retains nutrients and other pollutants. In a previous study, researchers investigated salvaging local materials such as project excavated peat or mucky soils for the organic component in filter media or slope dressing, which would ordinarily be discarded as waste. This could save time and money, and be environmentally sound. One large highway bioslope and a set of test plots with recycled media in northeastern Minnesota were monitored for absorption, infiltration, filtration and pollution capture. The results were promising. This research represents the second two-year monitoring study of the sites.

Final Deliverables:

Continued Monitoring of Stormwater Effluents from Filter Media in Two Bioslope Sites (Report #2021-15)
Stormwater Bioslope Site Monitoring Continues Using Local Filter Media (Research Summary)