Enhancing Urban Soil Function with Amendments.

The detrimental effects of disturbed urban soils on stormwater quantity and quality are derived largely from destruction of physical properties and oxidation of organic matter. Soil disturbance destroys tilth and surface soil aggregation, reduces porosity, and increases bulk density. The concomitant removal and oxidation of organic matter reduces an important constituent for the preservation of soil aggregates and the storage of water. The most rapid method to restore disturbed soil functions is with the addition of large amounts of organic matter, typically in the form of the organic by-products of agricultural, municipal, or industrial processes. This presentation will describe important by-product properties for use in restoring disturbed urban soils, and present data demonstrating the various benefits of such by-products on soil chemical, physical and hydrologic properties and resulting plant establishment and growth, and pollutant transport.