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Created page with "<p>For bioretention cells, bioswales, enhanced grass swales, vegetated filter strips and absorbent landscapes, soil P should be measured as extractable ph..."
<p>For [[bioretention cells]], [[bioswales]], [[enhanced grass swales]], [[vegetated filter strips]] and [[absorbent landscapes]], soil P should be measured as extractable phosphorus. Extractable P is the portion that is easily available to organisms like plants and algae (i.e., available) that are present in the environment and is the measure of immediate concern to water quality. </p>
<p>The quantity of extractable P is determined through acid or base extraction of a sample and testing the concentration in solution by a soil testing laboratory. Commonly used extraction methods on soil samples are the Bray and Kurtz P-1 procedure for non-calcareous soil (Bray and Kurtz, 1945) or the Sodium Bicarbonate (Olsen) method for calcareous soil (Olsen et al., 1954). The Sodium Bicarbonate (i.e., Olsen) method is recommended as the default to use for typical Ontario soils (OMAFRA, 2006). Calcareous soils are mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate (i.e., lime or limestone). The Sodium Bicarbonate (Olsen) extraction method should be used if the soil contains more than 2% calcium carbonate (Frank et al., 2012). Modern and acceptable procedures for both types of extractions are provided by North Central Regional Research Publication No. 221 (Frank et al., 2012).</p>
<p>For green roof growing media, the Saturated Media Extract (SME) method should be used (Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, 2011). In this extraction procedure, a sample of the media is saturated with deionized water containing a small amount of Pentetic acid (i.e., DTPA) to enhance extraction of micro-nutrients (Warnacke, 1995). The SME procedure should also be used to measure concentrations of soluble salts and nitrogen for green roof growing media (Green Roofs for Healthy
Cities, 2011).</p>
As part of Construction inspections, if laboratory testing indicates the extractable phosphorus
concentration is not within the design or product specification range, notify the media or topsoil
supplier, issue a “do not install” order to the construction site supervisor and contact the design
professionals and property owner or project manager to determine corrective actions.
As part of Assumption and Verification inspections, for soils found through testing to be below the
design or product specification range, or Acceptance Criteria range (Table 8.1), corrective actions are
only needed if problems with vegetation cover, condition or composition (i.e., dominance by weeds)
are also detected through visual inspection. Where vegetation cover is poor, unhealthy or dominated
by weeds and soil P is lower than the design specification or Acceptance Criteria, schedule FIT work to
do further sampling and testing to determine the affected area and depth and decide on corrective
actions. Depending on the findings from FIT work, corrective action could involve amending the soil
with compost or other fertilizer. Detailed guidance on implementing compost soil amendments can
be found in Preserving and Restoring Healthy Soil: Best Practices for Urban Construction (TRCA 2012).
Amendments to green roof growing media to address P deficiency should be prescribed by the media
manufacturer or product vendor. Where soil P concentration is found to be higher than the
Acceptance Criteria range (Table 8.1), and the BMP drains to a nutrient sensitive receiving water,
continuous monitoring during natural or simulated storm events should be undertaken (Sections 8.5
& 8.6) that includes sampling and testing of nutrient concentrations (i.e., Phosphorus and Nitrogen) in
sub-drain or surface flows from the BMP to evaluate if the exceedance is negatively impacting effluent
quality and if corrective actions are warranted. Corrective action could involve incorporating a soil
amendment that increases phosphorus retention, or replacement of part or all of the media or topsoil
with material that is within the design or product specification.
<p>The quantity of extractable P is determined through acid or base extraction of a sample and testing the concentration in solution by a soil testing laboratory. Commonly used extraction methods on soil samples are the Bray and Kurtz P-1 procedure for non-calcareous soil (Bray and Kurtz, 1945) or the Sodium Bicarbonate (Olsen) method for calcareous soil (Olsen et al., 1954). The Sodium Bicarbonate (i.e., Olsen) method is recommended as the default to use for typical Ontario soils (OMAFRA, 2006). Calcareous soils are mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate (i.e., lime or limestone). The Sodium Bicarbonate (Olsen) extraction method should be used if the soil contains more than 2% calcium carbonate (Frank et al., 2012). Modern and acceptable procedures for both types of extractions are provided by North Central Regional Research Publication No. 221 (Frank et al., 2012).</p>
<p>For green roof growing media, the Saturated Media Extract (SME) method should be used (Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, 2011). In this extraction procedure, a sample of the media is saturated with deionized water containing a small amount of Pentetic acid (i.e., DTPA) to enhance extraction of micro-nutrients (Warnacke, 1995). The SME procedure should also be used to measure concentrations of soluble salts and nitrogen for green roof growing media (Green Roofs for Healthy
Cities, 2011).</p>
As part of Construction inspections, if laboratory testing indicates the extractable phosphorus
concentration is not within the design or product specification range, notify the media or topsoil
supplier, issue a “do not install” order to the construction site supervisor and contact the design
professionals and property owner or project manager to determine corrective actions.
As part of Assumption and Verification inspections, for soils found through testing to be below the
design or product specification range, or Acceptance Criteria range (Table 8.1), corrective actions are
only needed if problems with vegetation cover, condition or composition (i.e., dominance by weeds)
are also detected through visual inspection. Where vegetation cover is poor, unhealthy or dominated
by weeds and soil P is lower than the design specification or Acceptance Criteria, schedule FIT work to
do further sampling and testing to determine the affected area and depth and decide on corrective
actions. Depending on the findings from FIT work, corrective action could involve amending the soil
with compost or other fertilizer. Detailed guidance on implementing compost soil amendments can
be found in Preserving and Restoring Healthy Soil: Best Practices for Urban Construction (TRCA 2012).
Amendments to green roof growing media to address P deficiency should be prescribed by the media
manufacturer or product vendor. Where soil P concentration is found to be higher than the
Acceptance Criteria range (Table 8.1), and the BMP drains to a nutrient sensitive receiving water,
continuous monitoring during natural or simulated storm events should be undertaken (Sections 8.5
& 8.6) that includes sampling and testing of nutrient concentrations (i.e., Phosphorus and Nitrogen) in
sub-drain or surface flows from the BMP to evaluate if the exceedance is negatively impacting effluent
quality and if corrective actions are warranted. Corrective action could involve incorporating a soil
amendment that increases phosphorus retention, or replacement of part or all of the media or topsoil
with material that is within the design or product specification.