Nine-Month Evaluation of Runoff Quality and Quantity from an Experiential Green Roof in Missouri, USA
Abstract
A better understanding of green roof stormwater performance is needed to assess and predict benefits of proposed green roof projects. A nine-month green roof pilot study was conducted in mid-Missouri to evaluate runoff quantity and quality under field conditions for two different media, both tested under planted and unplanted conditions. Water quantity results showed a ~40% reduction in runoff from the unplanted growing media and a ~60% reduction in runoff from the planted growing media. A water balance model was developed that incorporated water storage in the media and evapotranspiration (ET) from the media based upon local weather conditions using the Penmen-Monteith ET method. Water quality monitoring showed a first-order decline of excess nutrients in the first few months of green roof operation. Total phosphorus > 30. mg-P/L and total nitrogen concentrations >60. mg-N/L were observed in green roof runoff initially, with concentrations decreasing over nine months to ~5. mg-P/L and ~10. mg-N/L, respectively. In addition, elevated total organic carbon concentrations were observed, with concentrations of 500. mg/L initially, decreasing after a few weeks to below 50. mg/L. Media type and age were the largest influences on carbon and nutrient loading from the green roof media tested.
Recommended Citation
G. E. Harper et al., "Nine-Month Evaluation of Runoff Quality and Quantity from an Experiential Green Roof in Missouri, USA," Ecological Engineering, vol. 78, pp. 127 - 133, Elsevier B.V., May 2015.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.06.004
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Climate model; Evapotranspiration; Green roof; Nitrate; Nutrients; Phosphorous
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0925-8574
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 May 2015
Comments
The authors thank the USGS Water Center, Columbia Missouri for funding (Project Number: 2011MO122B).