Survey of a

Bioswale

Soil Science Mr. Ted Siebert

Tyler Ensor, Hunter Harmon, Andrea Lopez, Jonathan

McArthur

Fall 2013

Introduction Bioswales are part of low-impact

development (LID) practices which are

designed to capture runoff and promote

infiltration.

Project Goal

The purpose of the project is to apply

concepts learned in the subject course

and apply techniques to analyze and

understand the function of the bioswale in

the Nature Area

Community

NWACC Students, Faculty, and Staff

Residents of Adjacent Neighborhood

Contacts

Library – Research

Faculty

Kurtis Cecil

Cindy Hammons

Burnetta Hinterthuer

Ted Siebert

Curriculum Learning Outcomes:

Understand various laboratory instruments and techniques through application of learned skills in laboratory experiments

Describe basic structure and characteristics of soils

Compare the environmental challenges and concerns within the Northwest Arkansas Region

Apply principles learned to comprehend, evaluate, and solve problems of soil management.

Technology Dräger auger Munsell Color System Soil pH, N, P, K Test Kit Conductivity Tester 50’ Tape Ruler Trench Shovels Water Container Timer/Chronometer Photographic Camera Computers with Internet Access and Microsoft

Office

Skills Developed

Perform Percolation Test

Measure N, P, K levels in Soil

Measure pH in Soil

Use of Munsell Color System

Perform Infiltration Test

PowerPoint elaboration

Public Speaking

Methodology (1)

Systematic

Random Sampling

(Tyler & Andrea)

Percolation Test

(Hunter & Andrea)

Methodology (2)

Infiltration Test

(Tyler)

NPK & pH (Andrea)

Timeline

September 19, 2013 – Topic Research

October 8, 2013 – Project Proposal

October 8, 2013 – Begin Research

October 10, 2013 – Soil Sampling

November 21, 2013 – Soil Testing: NPK & pH

November 21, 2013 – Elaborate Slideshow

December 5, 2013 – Project Presentation

Project Outcomes (1)

Project Outcomes (2)

Rill Erosion Identification

Slowest: 38.1 mpi

Erosion Hazard: Moderate

Project Outcomes (3)

Project Outcomes (4)

N & P need amendment,

suggestion: Urea & Superphosphate

pH: Slightly Acid – Acid

Low EC levels

Project Outcomes (5)

Project Outcomes (6)

Tyler: Add your results here

Acknowledgements Kurtis Cecil – Faculty Marvin Galloway – Dean of Science Dept. Cindy Hammons - Faculty Burnetta Hinterthuer – Faculty Daryl Lancaster – Life Science Coordinator Paul Lowrey – Physical Science Coordinator Dianne Phillips – EMPACTS Facilitator Laurie Scott – Lab Assistant Ted Siebert – Instructor Nathan Sorey – EMPACTS Tech Mike Willard – Lab Assistant Supervisor

Resources Bodger, K. (2003). Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling.

Buol, S.W. (2008). Soils, Land, and Life.

Csuros, M. (1994). Environmental Sampling and Analysis for Technicians.

Gershuny, G. & Smillie, J. (1999). The Soul of Soil.

Palmer, R.G., & Troeh, F.R. (1995). Introductory Soil Science Lab Manual.

Plaster, E.J. (2013). Soil Science & Management.

http://greywateraction.org/content/how-do-percolation-test

http://uwarboretum.org/eps/Rain%20Garden%20Curricular%20Sampler

%20PDFs%20Final/2%20Perform%20Site%20Analysis/Infilitration%20Test%20f

or%20RG%202-4.pdf

http://www.agriculturesolutions.com/resources/92-the-why-and-how-to-

testing-the-electrical-conductivity-of-soils

http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=252

http://ppc.uaex.edu/conferences/2010/low_impact_development_hub

er.pdf

http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/AR007/0/Benton.pdf

http://maps.co.benton.ar.us/basemap/index.html

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