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Biochar Addition and the Runoff Quality of Newly Constructed Green Roofs: A Field Study

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  • Weiwei Xiong

    (College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Juan Li

    (College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Hankun Wang

    (College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Yongbo Wu

    (College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Dongchang Li

    (College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Jianhui Xue

    (College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China)

Abstract

Extensive nutrient leaching has been a major concern in the establishing stage of green roofs. Although an addition of biochar to the green roof substrates has been increasingly recommended, the extent to which this addition can affect the runoff quality is still largely unknown. Using biochars made from maize straws (MSB) and rice husks (RHB), this study investigated the effects of biochar addition rates (0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% biochar, v / v ) on the runoff quality of new green roofs over 6 months. Our results show that the addition of biochar significantly affected the runoff quality. With an increasing biochar addition rate (10∼20%), the mean total nitrogen (TN) concentration in the runoff decreased from 103.68 mg L − 1 (CK) to 26.21∼52.77 mg L − 1 (RHB) and 10.12∼3.97 mg L − 1 (MSB), the mean dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration decreased from 94.47 mg L − 1 (CK) to 101.76∼59.41 mg L − 1 (RHB) and 52.45∼26.73 mg L − 1 (MSB), and the mean pH increased from 7.15 (CK) to 7.42∼7.50 (RHB) and 7.49∼7.71 (MSB). However, the mean total phosphorus (TP) concentration increased from 0.27 mg L − 1 (CK) to 0.22∼0.57 mg L − 1 (RHB) and 0.58∼1.07 mg L − 1 (MSB). Generally, the N and DOC concentrations were lower in the treatment with added MSB than RHB, but the P concentrations and pH were higher. The N concentration was significantly negatively correlated with the single rainfall and cumulative rainfall in the CK- and RHB-added treatments but not in the MSB-added treatments, suggesting that the addition of MSB affected the process of N leaching from the substrate. Overall, we recommend adding 10% maize straw biochar to the green roof substrate to reduce the initial nutrient leaching from the new green roof and improve the runoff water quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiwei Xiong & Juan Li & Hankun Wang & Yongbo Wu & Dongchang Li & Jianhui Xue, 2023. "Biochar Addition and the Runoff Quality of Newly Constructed Green Roofs: A Field Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4081-:d:1078296
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mario Maiolo & Behrouz Pirouz & Roberto Bruno & Stefania Anna Palermo & Natale Arcuri & Patrizia Piro, 2020. "The Role of the Extensive Green Roofs on Decreasing Building Energy Consumption in the Mediterranean Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Ci Fang & Tao Zhang & Ping Li & Rong-feng Jiang & Ying-cai Wang, 2014. "Application of Magnesium Modified Corn Biochar for Phosphorus Removal and Recovery from Swine Wastewater," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Haoming Chen & Xianfeng Du & Mengqi Lai & Muhanmaitijiang Nazhafati & Chen Li & Weicong Qi, 2021. "Biochar Improves Sustainability of Green Roofs via Regulate of Soil Microbial Communities," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-12, July.
    4. Natalia Sergeevna Shushunova & Elena Anatolyevna Korol & Nikolai Ivanovich Vatin, 2021. "Modular Green Roofs for the Sustainability of the Built Environment: The Installation Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-11, December.
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