The use of reactive material for limiting P-leaching from green roof substrate

Water Sci Technol. 2016;73(12):3027-32. doi: 10.2166/wst.2016.173.

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the influence of drainage layer made of reactive material Polonite(®) on the water retention and P-PO(4) concentration in runoff. A column experiment was performed for extensive substrate underlined by 2 cm of Polonite(®) layer (SP) and the same substrate without supporting layer as a reference (S). The leakage phosphorus concentration ranged from 0.001 to 0.082 mg P-PO(4)·L(-1), with average value 0.025 P-PO(4)·L(-1) of S experiment and 0.000-0.004 P-PO(4)·L(-1) and 0.001 P-PO(4)·L(-1) of SP experiment, respectively. The 2 cm layer of Polonite(®) was efficient in reducing P outflow from green roof substrate by 96%. The average effluent volumes from S and SP experiments amounted 61.1 mL (5.8-543.3 mL) and 46.4 mL (3.3-473.3 mL) with the average irrigation rate of 175.5 mL (6.3-758.0 mL). The substrate retention ability of S and SP experiments was 65% and 74%, respectively. Provided with reactive materials, green roof layers implemented in urban areas for rain water retention and delaying runoff also work for protection of water quality.

MeSH terms

  • Oxides / chemistry*
  • Phosphates / chemistry*
  • Phosphorus / chemistry*
  • Rain
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Pollution, Chemical / prevention & control*
  • Water Quality

Substances

  • Oxides
  • Phosphates
  • Polonite
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Phosphorus