Topic: Blind Inlet

Blind inlets are implemented to promote obstruction-free surface drainage of field depressions as an alternative to tile risers for the removal of sediment and particulate phosphorus (P) through an aggregate bed. However, conventional limestone used in blind inlets does not remove dissolved P, which is a stronger eutrophication agent than particulate P. Steel slag has been suggested as an alternative to limestone in blind inlets for removing dissolved P. The objectives of this study were to construct a blind inlet with steel slag and evaluate its ability to remove dissolved P, nitrogen (N), and herbicides. A blind inlet was constructed with steel slag in late 2015; data from only 2018 are reported due to inflow sampling issues. The blind inlet removed at least 45% of the dissolved P load and was still effective after three years. The dissolved P removal efficiency was greater with higher inflow P concentrations. More than 70% of glyphosate and its metabolite, and dicamba were removed. Total N was removed in the form of organic N and ammonium, although N cycling processes within the blind inlet appeared to produce nitrate. Higher dissolved atrazine and organic carbon loads were measured in outflow than inflow, likely due to the deposition of sediment-bound particulate forms not measured in inflow, which then solubilized with time. At a cost similar to local aggregate, steel slag in blind inlets represents a simple update for improving dissolved P removal.

Drainage of tile-riser inlets allow direct discharge of surface water into tile drainage systems, effectively bypassing soil filtration processes and negatively affecting water quality. Blind inlets have gained recent popularity in allowing for both depression drainage and removal of suspended particulate matter by filtration through a sand/gravel layer. This paper summarizes blind inlet development and all published studies, provides new data from dissection of the longest-operating blind inlet that was recently de-commissioned, and discusses new ideas for the future of blind inlets, given certain shortcomings. Previous studies, as well as current soil analysis of the 12-yr old blind inlet, confirmed the ability of blind inlets to reduce sediment and particulate phosphorus (P), with an overall removal efficiency of at least 40% for each. In addition to sediment and particulate P, soil sampling revealed the ability of the blind inlet to capture several pesticides: glyphosate, atrazine, S-metolachlor, and metabolites. Traditional blind inlet sand media are unable to remove appreciable amounts of dissolved P compared to alternative media such as steel slag. Enhanced removal of dissolved constituents could be easily achieved through the use of P sorption materials and organic materials such as biochar, as well as a combination with tile-drain filters.