Vegetated Treatment System Models: Modeled vs. Measured Performance

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2007-09-16
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Burns, Robert
Moody, Lara
Lawrence, John
Pederson, Carl
Andersen, Daniel
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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.

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In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.

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1905–present

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  • Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)

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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Abstract

Vegetated treatment systems (VTS) are designed to control runoff from beef feedlots. A VTS consists of a solids settling basin followed by either a vegetated treatment area (VTA) or a vegetated infiltration basin (VIB) followed by a VTA. Two computer models were developed at Iowa State University (ISU) to simulate traditional containment, a VTS with a settling basin and a VTA, and a VTS with a settling basin, VIB, and VTA. The models predict runoff volume and nutrient mass entering and leaving the system for a given design and specific weather conditions. In this paper, the monitored performance of four feedlot VTSs in Iowa is compared to the performance predicted by each site model run. These sites are undergoing extensive monitoring to determine the mass of nutrients discharged from each system component. Weather data including maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation are also continuously recorded. System component discharge data collected at each site is compared to data generated by the model using site specific weather data for model calibration purposes. Comparisons of modeled versus monitored system performance indicate that the VTS models currently under predict discharge from the VTAs at all four sites. The VTS models also under predicted the VIB performance for both of the VIB sites. While the measured and monitored flow volumes from the SSB matched relatively well, the nutrient concentration released from the SSB was much higher than the concentration predicted by the VTS models.

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This proceeding is from CD-Rom of the International Symposium on Air Quality and Waste Management for Agriculture Conference Proceedings, 16-19 September 2007, (Broomfield, Colorado, USA) Editor, L. Moody, St. Joseph Michigan: ASABE. ,16, September 2007 . ASAE Pub #701P0907cd.

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Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2007