Université de Montréal
Ph.D. candidate
Supervisor: Jacques Brisson
Danielle Dagenais
KÕIV-VAINIK Margit
Start: 2019-01-07
End: 2022-03-01

Project

THE EFFECT OF VEGETATION ON BIORETENTION CELL PERFORMANCE IN COLD CLIMATE CONDITONS
Bioretention cells (BRC) are stormwater management systems designed to be integrated into urban environments and can reduce peak flows and increase the proportion of water infiltrated and therefore treated. The choice of plants for a BCR is generally based on their aesthetic value and ability to grow in the chosen habitat, but their water treatment efficiency and their contribution to the general performance of a BCR in cold climate conditions is poorly understood. The objective of this study is to test the effect of four plant species with different functional traits (Cornus sericea, Iris versicolor, Juncus effusus, Sesleria autumnalis) on the performance of BRCs in the treatment of urban residential runoff. The preliminary results from the acclimatisation period (spring and summer 2018) of the mesocosm experiment showed that the growth rate and biomass production of Cornus and Juncus were much better than those of the other two species. By the end of season all the plants were nicely established and ready for the experimentation period beginning in spring 2019. The treatment efficiency and general performance of the selected species will be evaluated by periodical water, plant, and substrate analyses. These complex analyses will give us new information about the role of vegetation in BRCs.