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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
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Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff
Published on: May 15, 2017
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Water quality function of an extensive vegetated roof
Dimitar Todorov1, Charles T Driscoll2, Svetoslava Todorova2
1Department of Construction Management, School of Business and Justice Studies, Utica College, 1600 Burrstone Rd, Utica, NY 13502, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, 151 Link Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States.
The Science of the Total Environment
|January 8, 2018
Summary
Extensive vegetated roofs retain nutrients, acting as sinks for nitrogen and chloride, though they can be sources of phosphate. While runoff generally meets EPA standards, total phosphorus remains an exception.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Urban Hydrology
- Green Infrastructure
Background:
- Vegetated roofs offer potential stormwater management benefits in urban areas.
- Understanding the water quality impact of vegetated roofs is crucial for sustainable urban development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the four-year water quality of runoff from a sedum-covered vegetated roof.
- To compare the vegetated roof's stormwater drainage quality with a conventional membrane roof and atmospheric deposition.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring of stormwater runoff, wet deposition, and bulk deposition over four years.
- Analysis of nutrient and major solute concentrations and fluxes.
- Seasonal and year-to-year variation analysis.
Main Results:
- Vegetated roof drainage showed higher nutrient concentrations than atmospheric deposition, especially during the growing season.
- The vegetated roof acted as a sink for nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chloride, but a source for phosphate and dissolved carbon.
- Chloride levels were elevated during winter due to inputs and leaching.
Conclusions:
- Vegetated roofs significantly influence stormwater quality, retaining key nutrients despite seasonal variations.
- While generally effective, vegetated roof runoff exceeded EPA freshwater standards for total phosphorus.
- The study highlights the complex role of vegetated roofs in urban water management.
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