Nutrients

The profile view of aa bioretention feature with associated zones and the processes used to remove excess nitrogen and phosphorous inputs out of incomign overland waer from agricultrual lands (Photo Source: Osman, et al. 2022)

Overview

Nutrients are an essential part of life, however excess amounts of them can harm the environment. Anthropogenic activities can lead to such excessive amount of nutrients in runoff and cause degradation of receiving waters. Phosphorus and Nitrogen are the main nutrients of concern in stormwater runoff. This page provides information on the sources of nutrients, the issues caused by their excess amounts, and strategies to manage them.

A shallow excavated surface depression containing prepared filter media, mulch, and planted with selected vegetation.

Refers to the conditions in which an organism lives and survives or the conditions in which an organism resides. These conditions can be described as aspects of a “physical”, “social” or an “economic” environment, depending on the perspective perceived by the observer.

The portion of water precipitated onto a catchment area, which then flows as surface discharge from the catchment area past a specified point.

Water from rain, snow melt, or irrigation that flows over the land surface.

Watercourses and Lake Ontario, to which Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows discharge.

A shallow excavated surface depression containing prepared filter media, mulch, and planted with selected vegetation.