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Renewable Energy : Technologies and Applications
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Our Energy Future
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Renewable Power and Energy: Photovoltaic Systems
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Bioretention areas are landscaped features designed to treat stormwater runoff. They are commonly located in parking lot islands or within small pockets in urban areas. Surface runoff is directed into shallow, landscaped depressions designed to incorporate many of the pollutant removal methods that operate in forested ecosystems. Collected runoff is cooled off, nutrients are absorbed by the plants, and the treated water then percolates into the ground. During storms, excess water is directed to the local stream.
Micro-bioretention swales capture and treat runoff by passing it through a mixture of sand, soil, and organic matter. In HCC's Lot O, the filtered stormwater is partially filtered into the soil and directed to the stormwater conveyance system. The collected stormwater in these swales is designed to drain within 24-48 hours after a rain event. The plants in the swale enhance the nutrient (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) and pollutant uptake. Ultimately, the stormwater runoff from HCC Parking Lot O is discharged to a tributary of Antietam Creek, which is impaired by fecal bacteria, low dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and sediments. The reduction of sediment, nutrients, and other runoff pollution by the micro-bioretention swales will contribute to the overall protection of water quality in Antietam Creek.
The native plants in this bioretention structure are adapted to local conditions, need little maintenance or water, and need no fertilizer or pesticides. Native plants create an important habitat for butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife.
"Orange Coneflower" by pk2morgan is marked with CC0 1.0.
"Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) - geograph.org.uk - 857993" by Evelyn Simak is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
"Cornus stolonifera (Red twig dogwood)" by PlantRight1 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Melanie and Rick have been active gardeners and recyclers for over 30 years. Composting has always been a large part of their gardening practice. Melanie is a WV Extension Master Gardener. Rick is a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Both received their Master Composter certification in 2012. They have worked with the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority to start a 3-day Master Composter training program in the Eastern Panhandle area.
Melanie and Rick are both WVU graduates and teach composting to anyone interested in keeping organics out of the sink disposal and garbage can.
Professor Bass joined HCC in 2016 after 30 years of engineering research and project work as a registered professional engineer in Texas. A majority of his engineering career involved alternative energy engineering and automotive electrification. Mr. Bass has a BS degree from Trinity University and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas where his thesis on thermodynamics was completed in 1996.
Mr. Heiney is a contributor to the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Maryland and the District of Columbia and has for many years helped people discover the joy of birding by leading trips to birding hotspots across the Mid-Atlantic region.
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