Optimization and Deployment of Biofilters with Ultra-High Surface Media for Highly Efficient Stormwater Remediation
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Francisco Cubas
Location
Russell Union Room 2052
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing
Department
Civil Engineering
Abstract
Stormwater runoff is a major non-point source pollution pathway that carries nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into receiving water bodies. Once these nutrients enter streams, ponds, or lakes, they can trigger eutrophication which leads to algal blooms, reduced water quality, and dissolved oxygen depletion negatively affecting aquatic life. Traditional biofilters can mitigate these issues to some extent, but they come with their own limitations, which limits their effective implementation. This increases the need for cost efficient and reliable alternatives to treat runoff water. In this study, a modular biofilter packed with a novel 3D printed gyroid media was deployed in a small semi-urban watershed under real stormwater conditions to evaluate its performance in removing ammonia, and orthophosphate from runoff. Water quality parameters like DO, pH, and ORP were monitored daily to define the operating environmental conditions of the biofilter. Overall, the water within the filter remained predominantly oxic with DO ranging between 4.25 and 13.91 mg/L, ORP between 82 to 238 mV, and pH between 6.4 and 9.2 during variable flow conditions. The observed cyclic trend of the DO and pH was caused by photosynthesis and the respiration cycle of the algae that grew attached to the biofilter media as expected. Nutrient reduction efficiency of the biofilter was evaluated by comparing influent and effluent concentrations in water samples collected after a rainfall event. Results indicated significant ammonia removal, with concentrations decreasing from 1.50 to 0.318 mg/l, which gives an average removal of 78.8%. Phosphate removal was lower and more variable than ammonia with each rainfall event, resulting in a mean removal of just 4.0%. It is possible that sudden and continuous inflow changes hindered the biofilter OP removal capabilities. Further investigation into the biofilter hydraulic parameters are needed to improve phosphorus removal under field conditions.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 9:45 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
Recommended Citation
Muthukumar, Surjith Krishna, "Optimization and Deployment of Biofilters with Ultra-High Surface Media for Highly Efficient Stormwater Remediation" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 7.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/7
Optimization and Deployment of Biofilters with Ultra-High Surface Media for Highly Efficient Stormwater Remediation
Russell Union Room 2052
Stormwater runoff is a major non-point source pollution pathway that carries nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into receiving water bodies. Once these nutrients enter streams, ponds, or lakes, they can trigger eutrophication which leads to algal blooms, reduced water quality, and dissolved oxygen depletion negatively affecting aquatic life. Traditional biofilters can mitigate these issues to some extent, but they come with their own limitations, which limits their effective implementation. This increases the need for cost efficient and reliable alternatives to treat runoff water. In this study, a modular biofilter packed with a novel 3D printed gyroid media was deployed in a small semi-urban watershed under real stormwater conditions to evaluate its performance in removing ammonia, and orthophosphate from runoff. Water quality parameters like DO, pH, and ORP were monitored daily to define the operating environmental conditions of the biofilter. Overall, the water within the filter remained predominantly oxic with DO ranging between 4.25 and 13.91 mg/L, ORP between 82 to 238 mV, and pH between 6.4 and 9.2 during variable flow conditions. The observed cyclic trend of the DO and pH was caused by photosynthesis and the respiration cycle of the algae that grew attached to the biofilter media as expected. Nutrient reduction efficiency of the biofilter was evaluated by comparing influent and effluent concentrations in water samples collected after a rainfall event. Results indicated significant ammonia removal, with concentrations decreasing from 1.50 to 0.318 mg/l, which gives an average removal of 78.8%. Phosphate removal was lower and more variable than ammonia with each rainfall event, resulting in a mean removal of just 4.0%. It is possible that sudden and continuous inflow changes hindered the biofilter OP removal capabilities. Further investigation into the biofilter hydraulic parameters are needed to improve phosphorus removal under field conditions.
