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Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling of Bioretention Columns in Cold Regions
  • +4
  • Wenming Zhang,
  • Yang Yu,
  • Zhuowen Li,
  • Tong Yu,
  • Shuai Guo,
  • Yongchao Zhou,
  • Xiaochen Li
Wenming Zhang
University of Alberta Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Yang Yu
University of Alberta Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Zhuowen Li
University of Alberta Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Tong Yu
University of Alberta Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Shuai Guo
Hefei University of Technology
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Yongchao Zhou
Zhejiang University
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Xiaochen Li
Shandong Agricultural University
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Abstract

Bioretention is widely used in urban sustainable stormwater management. However, limited numerical research has been conducted on its performance in cold regions, particularly for winter snowmelt, spring runoff and summer large storms (> 50 mm) for urban flood mitigation. In this study, HYDRUS 1D was used to explore these knowledge gaps. The model was comprehensively calibrated and validated against 2-year hydrologic and water quality data of four bioretention columns with different designs under lab-simulated cold region conditions. The Morris method was used to measure the sensitivity and interaction of the calibrated hydraulic parameters. The model revealed that the effective hydraulic conductivity ( KS) values of the soil media were similar for winter snowmelt and spring runoff when the soil temperature was around -0.5 °C. Preferential flow is likely to occur in soil media during winter or spring of cold regions. The summer modeling showed that the bioretention could substantially reduce peak flow, ponding depth and duration for large storm events (even for 1:100 local storm with 83.4 mm in 4 hours). The water quality modeling confirmed experimental results that the bioretention effectively removed phosphate and ammonium but had leaching issues for chloride and nitrate. Finally, optimization and recommendations of bioretention columns were provided.
16 Jan 2023Submitted to Hydrological Processes
16 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
16 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
18 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Mar 20231st Revision Received
31 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
31 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
31 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Apr 2023Editorial Decision: Accept