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Bioretention cell age and construction style influence stormwater pollutant dynamics
David M Costello1, Erik W Hartung1, Jordyn T Stoll1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 4, 2019
Summary
Aging bioretention cells accumulate metals like copper, lead, and zinc over time, potentially impacting plants. Soil organic matter is key, while road salt can reduce metal removal efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Urban Ecology
- Soil Science
Background:
- Green infrastructure, specifically bioretention cells, is used in urban areas to manage stormwater and mitigate pollutant runoff.
- While metal removal by bioretention cells is known, the long-term accumulation and function of aging cells in the field are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between soil characteristics and metal (copper, lead, zinc) concentrations in bioretention cells of varying ages.
- To assess metal removal and storage capacities of bioretention cell soils under different conditions.
- To evaluate the influence of cell age, construction type, and road salt on metal retention.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 25 bioretention cells (0-7 years old) to analyze soil physicochemistry and metal concentrations.
- Collected soil cores and treated them with simulated stormwater to measure metal removal rates.
- Compared metal accumulation and retention in 'retrofit' versus 'de novo' constructed cells.
Main Results:
- Older bioretention cells showed significantly higher concentrations of copper, lead, and zinc, indicating accumulation over time.
- Soil organic matter content was positively correlated with metal concentrations, highlighting its role in metal storage.
- De novo cells retained more metals than retrofit cells, likely due to differences in soil organic matter. Elevated road salt levels were linked to reduced metal removal and zinc leaching.
Conclusions:
- Bioretention cells accumulate metals over their service life, with concentrations in older cells approaching thresholds for potential plant impairment.
- Soil organic matter is crucial for metal retention in bioretention cells.
- Management practices (e.g., road salting) and design choices (e.g., construction type) significantly impact the long-term metal removal effectiveness of bioretention cells.
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