A comprehensive review on the long-term performance of stormwater biofiltration systems (SBS): Operational challenges and future directions

Feikai Yang; Dafang Fu; Chris Zevenbergen; Eldon R Rene

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113956

A comprehensive review on the long-term performance of stormwater biofiltration systems (SBS): Operational challenges and future directions

J Environ Manage. 2022 Jan 15;302(Pt A):113956. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113956. Epub 2021 Oct 23.

Authors

Feikai Yang¹, Dafang Fu², Chris Zevenbergen³, Eldon R Rene⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Southeast University-Monash University Joint Research Centre for Future Cities, Nanjing, 210096, China; IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, P. O. Box 3015, 2611DA, Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Gebouw 23, Stevinweg 1, 2628CN, Delft, the Netherlands. Electronic address: 230189102@seu.edu.cn.
² School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Southeast University-Monash University Joint Research Centre for Future Cities, Nanjing, 210096, China.
³ IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, P. O. Box 3015, 2611DA, Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Gebouw 23, Stevinweg 1, 2628CN, Delft, the Netherlands.
⁴ School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.

PMID: 34700085
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113956

Abstract

Stormwater biofiltration systems (SBS) are a popular technology for mitigating the negative effects of urbanization on the hydrological processes and water quality in urban areas. However, little is known about SBS's long-term performance in actual field conditions. The findings of a review of the scientific literature on the long-term performance of SBS are presented in this paper. The findings show that only a few studies have investigated the performance of SBS and its change over time, and that the results of laboratory and field experiments differed due to the presence of plants, regular maintenance, and some uncertain environmental factors. Based on the existing knowledge gaps in this field, the main challenges observed was the lack of long-term field data series, and the existing mathematical models are not able to accurately forecast the long-term performance of SBS. This could be owing to the difficulties in monitoring activities, the high costs involved and the unpredictability around the operational timeframe. Future study should concentrate on the implementation of simulation and modeling-based research in pilot and full-scale SBS, and the inclusion of new performance indicators should be considered as a priority.

Keywords: Hydraulic conductivity; Long-term performance; Model simulation; Pollutant removal; Stormwater biofiltration system (SBS).

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Filtration*
Models, Theoretical
Plants
Rain*
Water Quality