VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Fox, Laurie J."

Browsing by Author "Fox, Laurie J."

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Assessing Green Infrastructure Needs in Hampton Roads, Virginia and Identifying the Role of Virginia Cooperative Extension
Robinson, Daniel J. (Virginia Tech, 2018-08-08)
The Hampton Roads region of southeast Virginia is largely defined by its abundant water resources. These water resources are also a source of unique issues for the region. Specifically, water quality challenges related to the Chesapeake Bay and recurrent flooding are the major concerns. Green infrastructure (GI) has emerged in recent years as an alternative to traditional stormwater conveyance and detention focused systems. GI practices focus on integrating infiltration, evapotranspiration, and other components of the water cycle into more conventional stormwater management systems. These systems provide several positive benefits, including local water quality and quantity control, community revitalization, and various public health benefits. In addition, GI implementation has seen strong levels of support from the Cooperative Extension System, with Extension faculty and staff around the U.S. supporting local municipalities through GI research, promotion, and program development. Despite widespread interest, GI has been slow to be adopted due to various barriers to its implementation. This study sought to identify the major barriers to the implementation of GI practices in Hampton Roads by conducting a needs assessment. Municipal stormwater staff were invited to participate in an online survey aimed at identifying the most significant barriers in the region. At the same time, local staff with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) were interviewed to explore their potential to become involved in promoting GI adoption in Hampton Roads. Survey respondents and interview participants found common ground in identifying costs, funding, and maintenance issues as the most significant barriers to GI implementation in Hampton Roads. In addition, VCE staff were found to be well suited to support widespread GI adoption in the region, having familiarity with the GI concept and access to unique resources in the form of knowledgeable Master Gardener volunteers and connections to Virginia Tech. Recommendations for VCE involvement in promoting GI in Hampton Roads include conducting cost studies, developing and hosting maintenance training programs, and taking advantage of partnerships to identify and obtain funding from diverse sources. By focusing on these widely acknowledged challenges at the regional scale, VCE can support GI implementation throughout all of Hampton Roads.
Assessing nitrogen and phosphorus removal potential of five plant species in floating treatment wetlands receiving simulated nursery runoff
Spangler, Jonathan T.; Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Albano, Joseph P.; White, Sarah A. (2019-02)
The feasibility of using floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) to treat runoff typical of commercial nurseries was investigated using two 8-week trials with replicated mesocosms. Plants were supported by Beemat rafts. Five monoculture treatments of Agrostis alba (red top), Canna x generalis Firebird' (canna lily), Carex stricta (tussock sedge), Iris ensata Rising Sun' (Japanese water iris), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), two mixed species treatments, and an unplanted control were assessed. These plant species are used for ornamental, wetland, and biofuel purposes. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removals were evaluated after a 7-day hydraulic retention time (HRT). N removal (sum of ammonium-N, nitrate-N, and nitrite-N) from FTW treatments ranged from 0.255 to 0.738gm(-2)d(-1) (38.9 to 82.4% removal) and 0.147 to 0.656gm(-2)d(-1) (12.9 to 59.6% removal) for trials 1 and 2, respectively. P removal (phosphate-P) ranged from 0.052 to 0.128gm(-2)d(-1) (26.1 to 64.7% removal) for trial 1, and 0.074 to 0.194gm(-2)d(-1) (26.8 to 63.2% removal) for trial 2. Panicum virgatum removed more N and P than any other FTW treatment and the control in both trials. Results show that species selection and timing of FTW harvest impact the rate and mass of nutrient remediation. FTWs can effectively remove N and P from runoff from commercial nurseries.
An Assessment of Floating Treatment Wetlands for Reducing Nutrient Loads from Agricultural Runoff in Coastal Virginia
Spangler, Jonathan Travis (Virginia Tech, 2017-07-18)
Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are an innovative best management practice that can enhance the performance of traditional retention ponds by increasing removal of the nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P). FTWs consist of floating rafts on which wetland plants are planted, allowing the roots to be submerged below the water surface while the shoots remain above. A growing body of research has documented FTW performance with regard to urban runoff treatment, however evaluation of FTW effectiveness for treatment of agricultural runoff has received less attention. Due to high fertilization and irrigation rates, commercial nursery runoff contains much higher concentrations of N and P than runoff from urban areas. We conducted this study over two growing seasons (2015 and 2016) to assess the effectiveness of FTWs for use in commercial nursery retention ponds. In the first study we used two different nutrient concentrations, one to simulate nursery runoff (17.1 mg∙L-1 TN and 2.61 mg∙L-1 TP) and one to simulate concentrations that fall between urban and nursery runoff (5.22 mg∙L-1 TN and 0.52 mg∙L-1 TP). Four treatments were used: 1) Pontederia cordata planted in cups supported by a Beemat, 2) Juncus effusus planted in cups supported by a Beemat, 3) a Beemat with no plants, and 4) no treatment (open-water). Performance was evaluated based on a 7-day hydraulic retention time (HRT). Pontederia cordata removed between 90.3% and 92.4% of total phosphorus (TP) and 84.3% and 88.9% total nitrogen (TN), depending on initial loads. These reductions were significantly more than other treatments at both high and low nutrient loading rates. Juncus effusus performed better than the control treatments for TP removal at low nutrient concentrations, but did not perform any better than the control at higher nutrient loads. In the second study, conducted in 2016, we evaluated different plant species over two 8-week trials using simulated nursery runoff. We used five monoculture FTWs with the following species: Agrostis alba, Canna ×generalis, Carex stricta, Iris ensata, and Panicum virgatum. Additionally, two treatments were created from mixed species plantings and the final treatment consisted of an open water control mesocosm. Nutrient removal performance was evaluated over a 7-day HRT. P removal (phosphate-P) by FTW treatments ranged from 26.1% to 64.7% for trial 1 and 26.8% to 63.2% for trial 2. Trial 1 N removal (sum of ammonium-N, nitrate-N, and nitrite-N) efficiencies ranged from 38.9% to 82.4%, and trial 2 ranged from 12.9% to 59.6%. Panicum virgatum removed significantly more N and P than the control and any other FTW treatment in the second study. Both studies indicated, depending upon plant species, that FTWs can effectively remove nitrogen and phosphorous from urban and commercial nursery retention ponds.
Basic Principles of Watershed Restoration and Stormwater Management in the Chesapeake Bay Region
Dindinger, Jennifer; Kyler, Kristen; Rockler, Amanda; Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hughes, Shereen (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020-12-08)
This publication will provide an overview of the most relevant urban stormwater management and watershed restoration issues, common mitigating practices, and regulations relevant to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Best management practice fact sheet 10: Dry Swale
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020)
A wet swale is an engineered, BMP arranged in a straight line that is designed to reduce stormwater pollution. It consists of a shallow, gently sloping channel with broad, vegetated, side slopes and slow flows. Wet swales typically stay wet because the bottom of the swale is below the water table. This is done to encourage the growth of wetland vegetation.
Best management practice fact sheet 11: Wet Swale
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020)
A dry swale is a shallow, gently sloping channel with broad, vegetated side slopes. Water flow is slowed by a series of check dams. A dry swale provides temporary storage, filtration, and infiltration of stormwater runoff. they should remain dry during periods of no rainfall. It is a BMP designed to reduce pollution runoff reduction and pollutant removal and is part of a site's stormwater treatment practice.
Best management practice fact sheet 12: Filtering practices
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020)
A stormwater filtering practice treats stormwater runoff by passing it through and engineered filter media consisting of either sand, gravel, organic matter, and/or a proprietary manufactured product, collecting it in an underdrain, and then discharging the effluent to a stormwater conveyance system.
Best management practice fact sheet 15: Extended detention ponds
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020)
Extended detention ponds (EDs) are dry detention ponds that provide 12 to 24 hours of runoff storage during peak runoff events. Releases from the ED ponds are controlled by an outlet structure. During a storm event, as the discharge restriction is reached, water backs up into the ED pond. The pool slows flow velocities and enables particulate pollutants to settle. Peak flows are also reduced.
Best management practice fact sheet 1: Rooftop disconnection
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
Discussion of rooftop disconnection and compost amended flow paths
Best management practice fact sheet 2: Grass channels
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
Discussion of grass channels as a storm water conveyance system
Best management practice fact sheet 2: Sheet flow to open space
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
Discussion of Sheet flow to open space (SOS) drainage practices
Best management practice fact sheet 5: Vegetated roofs
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
Discussion of vegetated roofs which reduces storm water runoff and pollution.
Best management practice fact sheet 6: rainwater harvesting
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
Discussion of devices that intercept, divert, store, and release collected roof runoff from rainfall for later use as an alternative water supply
Best management practice fact sheet 8: Infiltration practices
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
Discussion of infiltration practices which provide temporary surface and/or subsurface storage, allowing infiltration of runoff into the soil.
Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 9: Bioretension
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
A biorentention cel, or rain garden, is a best management practice (BMP) designed to treat stormwater runoffs from roofs, driveways, walkways, or lawns. Where it can be used, how it works, what it does, maintenance, performance, limitations, expected cost
Best management practices fact sheet 4: Soil restoration
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)
Discussion of soil restoration; the technique of using compost to amend soils to improve their porosity and nutrient retention. The restored soils are less compacted and can replicate runoff from forested areas.
Constructed Wetlands
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Hendrix, Carol (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020-01)
Constructed Wetlands are low cost and sustainable engineered best practice to reduce stormwater pollution.
Creating Native Plant Educational Materials through Virginia Cooperative Extension Publications
Seekford, Sierra A.; Fox, Laurie J.; Niemiera, Alexander X.; Steele, Meredith K. (Virginia Tech, 2023-12-12)
Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) has been a reputable source of research-based information for over 100 years. This information is provided through various forms such as field days, demonstrations, volunteer services and written materials in the form of publications. Peer reviewed publications are scholarly works and undergo reviews from experts in the field. Currently there are no VCE publications about native plants and their benefits. Materials from other organizations and such as the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Plant Virginia Natives Campaign regional guides, Department of Conservation and Recreation brochures and the Digital Atlas of Virginia Flora online database have been used in VCE programming efforts. Plant Virginia Natives has been a leader in the movement to raise awareness, demand for native plants throughout the state, and has developed guides for ten regions across Virginia. By increasing the awareness of native plants, pollinators, and wildlife, local ecosystems will benefit greatly. Incorporating native plants into landscapes is especially critical because a review of 16 studies shows that the global population of insects has decreased by 45% in 40 years (Dirzo et al., 2014). Native plants provide essential support for insects. One of the barriers identified to planting more native plants is the lack of knowledge or confidence in people’s knowledge of the subject (Plant RVA Natives Steering Team, 2021). To address the lack of resources from VCE and the need for supplemental education materials, I have developed a three-part publication series on native plants. This series will promote native plants in the landscape by helping homeowners understand what native plants are, their benefits, how to use them in the landscape and how to maintain them for long term sustainability and resilience of landscapes.
Data on floating treatment wetland aided nutrient removal from agricultural runoff using two wetland species
Spangler, Jonathan T.; Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Owen, James S. Jr.; White, Sarah A. (Elsevier, 2018-12-15)
The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled “Floating treatment wetland aided nutrient removal from agricultural runoff using two wetland species” (Spangler et al., 2018). This Data in Brief article provides data on concentrations of common ions, macro- and micro-nutrients and metals every other week during a floating treatment wetland (FTW) mesocosm experiment, and macro- and micro-nutrient contents in cumulative plant tissues, data on continuously monitored water temperature, and nitrogen and phosphorus removal curves assessed every other week. The full data set is made available to enable critical or extended analysis of the research.
Decentralized Small Community Wastewater Collection Systems
Sample, David J.; Fox, Laurie J.; Galbraith, John M. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2014-07-10)
The objective of this publication is to provide an overview of decentralized wastewater systems, in particular, small cluster wastewater systems that collect wastewater from a group of homes. This publication is not intended to cover single, on-site septic systems.