Evaluation of erosion control methods for storm water quality

Compost and mulch blankets have been widely used for slope stabilization and erosion control on construction sites. However, the majority of research on these erosion control blankets has failed to meet state or federal specifications for particle size distribution. The primary objective of our study was to determine how blending wood mulch with compost may affect its performance as an erosion control practice relative to a straw blanket with polyacrylamide (PAM). The secondary objective of the study was to determine whether the particle size distribution of the organic erosion control blanket affects runoff, erosion, and vegetation establishment. During the first simulated storm event the compost blanket reduced storm water runoff by 52%, the 2:1 blanket by 54%, the 1:2 blanket …