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Towards the Circular Soil Concept: Optimization of Engineered Soils for Green Infrastructure Application

Author

Listed:
  • Pia Minixhofer

    (Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Strasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Bernhard Scharf

    (Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Strasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Sebastian Hafner

    (Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Strasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
    DI Thomas Romm ZT, Löwengasse 47a/7, A-1030 Vienna, Austria)

  • Oliver Weiss

    (Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Strasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Christina Henöckl

    (Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Strasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Moritz Greiner

    (Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Strasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Thomas Room

    (DI Thomas Romm ZT, Löwengasse 47a/7, A-1030 Vienna, Austria)

  • Rosemarie Stangl

    (Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Strasse 82, A-1190 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

At conventional construction sites, the removal of soil and other excavated materials causes enormous mass movement, with a significant climate impact and contribution to global CO 2 release. This study aimed to generate a Circular Soil concept for reusing excavated materials by creating engineered soils for landscape construction at large building sites. Engineered soils act as a substitute for natural soils and fulfill vital technical and soil functions when installing an urban green infrastructure (GI). In a field study, the vegetation performance on engineered soils was evaluated to establish a methodological approach, to assess the applicability of the Circular Soil concept. First, the technical specifications (grain-size distribution) were modeled for intensive green roof and turfgrass applications. Then, the soil components were optimized, mixed, installed and tested for greenery purposes, focusing on plant growth performance indicators (vitality, projective cover ratio and grass-herb ratio) to assess the vegetation performance. The results showed that the engineered soils match the performance of the reference soil alternatives. In conclusion, the Circular Soil concept has a high potential to contribute considerably to sustainable on-site soil management and the circular economy. It can be applied on a larger scale for urban GI development and sustainable resources management in the landscaping and construction sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Pia Minixhofer & Bernhard Scharf & Sebastian Hafner & Oliver Weiss & Christina Henöckl & Moritz Greiner & Thomas Room & Rosemarie Stangl, 2022. "Towards the Circular Soil Concept: Optimization of Engineered Soils for Green Infrastructure Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:2:p:905-:d:724358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mette Bendixen & Jim Best & Chris Hackney & Lars Lønsmann Iversen, 2019. "Time is running out for sand," Nature, Nature, vol. 571(7763), pages 29-31, July.
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