Skip to Main Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Submit an ETD
Global Search Box
Need Help?
Keyword Search
Participating Institutions
Advanced Search
School Logo
Files
File List
30454.pdf (1.85 MB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Biochar Amendment of Green Roof Substrate: Effect on Vegetation, Nutrient Retention, and Hydrologic Performance
Author Info
Goldschmidt, Alicia M
ORCID® Identifier
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3723-6784
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535372571339002
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2018, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
Abstract
Green roofs have the potential to act as pollutant sources, mostly due to the nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching from the substrate (engineered soil). Designing substrate to reduce this effect, while continuing to provide nutrients for plants, is essential to minimize this ecosystem disservice. Biochar, a type of activated carbon, has the potential to bind nutrients, making them plant available while improving water runoff quality. In addition, biochar is a water-retaining soil additive with the potential to further aid in stormwater retention, a key ecosystem services provided by green roofs. Over two growing seasons, our study evaluated plant productivity, nutrient retention and water retention – three characteristics key to green-roof associated ecosystem services – in extensive green roof test plots after the addition of biochar to the substrate. Replicated plots of biochar-amended substrate treatments were established, both vegetated (Sedum mixture) and unvegetated. Biochar addition did not significantly affect vegetation or water retention, but improved runoff water quality by decreasing phosphorus, organic carbon and organic nitrogen export, all of which were high in runoff from the standard green roof substrate. Biochar was found to be a source of nitrate, but this effect was counteracted by plant presence, with plants greatly reducing N runoff losses. These results suggest that biochar could be a useful amendment for the green roof industry. Improvements in most measured parameters were seen due to either biochar, plant presence, an interaction effect, or due to the product of the green roof itself. Future studies should examine the chemical and physical characteristics of starting substrate and vegetation type to select a complementary biochar material for an ideal substrate mix.
Committee
Ishi Buffam, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Dominic Boccelli, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Theresa Culley, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Stephen Matter, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Pages
96 p.
Subject Headings
Biology
Keywords
green roof
;
biochar
;
stormwater runoff
;
water quality
;
substrate amendment
;
nutrient
Recommended Citations
Refworks
EndNote
RIS
Mendeley
Citations
Goldschmidt, A. M. (2018).
Biochar Amendment of Green Roof Substrate: Effect on Vegetation, Nutrient Retention, and Hydrologic Performance
[Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535372571339002
APA Style (7th edition)
Goldschmidt, Alicia.
Biochar Amendment of Green Roof Substrate: Effect on Vegetation, Nutrient Retention, and Hydrologic Performance.
2018. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535372571339002.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Goldschmidt, Alicia. "Biochar Amendment of Green Roof Substrate: Effect on Vegetation, Nutrient Retention, and Hydrologic Performance." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1535372571339002
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
Abstract Footer
Document number:
ucin1535372571339002
Download Count:
339
Copyright Info
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.