Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2703-188X

Advisor

Ramirez-Avila, John J.

Committee Member

Schauwecker, Timothy

Committee Member

Lynn, Thomas J.

Date of Degree

12-12-2025

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 2 Years

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Civil and Environmental Engineering (Water Resources Engineering)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract

Eutrophication from agricultural runoff is a growing concern, particularly in livestock dominated watersheds. This study evaluated the effectiveness of slag-and-biochar systems installed in gullies for reducing total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) in stormwater runoff at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) dairy unit. Eighteen plots across six blocks were assigned one of three scenarios: control, slag-only, or slag-and-biochar. Runoff samples were collected upstream and downstream of each plot following 24 storm events between January 2023 and April 2024. All plots exhibited TSS enrichment, and both control and slag-only plots showed significant TP and TN enrichment. In contrast, slag-and-biochar plots exhibited lower TP enrichment and generally reduced TN enrichment, though not significantly. Observed spatial and seasonal variability influenced performance, highlighting the need for continued field-scale evaluation of bioreactor effectiveness under variable conditions.

Sponsorship (Optional)

USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant

Download

Share

COinS