Environmental Effects of Compost and Standard Erosion/Sediment Controls

Soil loss rates from construction sites are 10-20 times that of agricultural lands. The use of surface applied organic amendments has been shown to reduce runoff and erosion. Four types of compost blankets, hydroseed, silt fence and a bare soil (control) were applied in field test plots. Treatments were seeded with common bermuda grass. A rainfall simulator applied rainfall at an average rate equivalent to the 50 yr/1 hr storm event, and runoff samples were collected and analyzed for solids, nutrients and runoff quantity. Three simulated rain events were conducted: immediately after treatment application, at vegetation establishment, and at vegetation maturity. Vegetative growth and soil quality characteristics were also evaluated.