Green infrastructure life cycle assessment: A bio-infiltration case study

Flynn, Kevin; Traver, Robert G.

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.01.004

Cited by 118 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Flynn and Traver [146] trace the life cycle of a bio-infiltration cell and assess its performance using metrics such as carbon footprint, acidification potential, human life cycle economic costs and etc. to evaluate its benefits and impacts.…”

Section: Lifecycle Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Review and Research Needs of Bioretention Used for the Treatment of Urban Stormwater

Liu

Sample

Bell

et al. 2014

Water

199

105

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Abstract:The continued development of urban areas in recent decades has caused multiple issues affecting the sustainability of urban drainage systems. The increase of impervious surface areas in urban regions alters watershed hydrology and water quality. Typical impacts to downstream hydrologic regimes include higher peak flows and runoff volumes, shorter lag times, and reduced infiltration and base flow. Urban runoff increases the transport of pollutants and nutrients and thus degrades water bodies downstream from urban areas. One of the most frequently used practices to mitigate these impacts is bioretention. Despite its widespread use, research on bioretention systems remains active, particularly in terms of mix design and nitrogen treatment. Recent research focusing on bioretention is reviewed herein. The use of mesocosms provides the ability to isolate particular treatment processes and replicate variability. Computational models have been adapted and applied to simulate bioretention, offering potential improvements to their operation, maintenance, and design. Maintenance practices are important for sustained operation and have also been reviewed. Predicting maintenance is essential to assessing lifecycle costs. Within these research areas, gaps are explored, and recommendations made for future work.

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Section: Lifecycle Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Review and Research Needs of Bioretention Used for the Treatment of Urban Stormwater

Liu

Sample

Bell

et al. 2014

Water

199

105

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“…In the case of bio-infiltration rain gardens, the construction stage accounts for the major environmental and economic costs because of the contributions of silica sand and bark mulch (Flynn and Traver, 2013). In contrast, the operation stage entails a series of avoided burdens, such as carbon sequestration (40 kg C/year), and the relative impacts are thus lower.…”

Section: Environmental and Economic Assessment Of Stormwater Bmpsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental and economic assessment of a pilot stormwater infiltration system for flood prevention in Brazil

Petit‐Boix

Sevigné‐Itoiz

Rojas-Gutierrez

et al. 2015

Ecological Engineering

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Abstract:Green and grey stormwater management infrastructures, such as the filter, swale and infiltration trench (FST), can be used to prevent flooding events. The aim of this paper was to determine the environmental and economic impacts of a pilot FST that was built in São Carlos (Brazil) using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC). As a result, the components with the greatest contributions to the total impacts of the FST were the infiltration trench and the grass cover. The system has a carbon footprint of 0.13 kg CO 2 eq./m 3 of infiltrated stormwater and an eco-efficiency ratio of 0.35 kg CO 2 eq./USD. Moreover, the FST prevented up to 95% of the runoff in the area.Compared to a grey infrastructure, this system is a good solution with respect to PVC stormwater pipes, which require a long pipe length (1070 m) and have a shorter lifespan. In contrast, concrete pipes are a better solution, and their impacts are similar to those of the FST. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the changes in the impacts with the varying lifespan of the system components. Thus, the proper management of the FST can reduce the economic and environmental impacts of the system by increasing its durability.

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“…Methodologies which have been used include life cycle assessment [24,25], scenario planning [26], expert knowledge [27] and modelling using tools such as i-Tree and EnviroAtlas [28,29]. Jayasooriya.…”

Section: Benefit Evaluation Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Evaluation of Multiple Benefits to Encourage Multi-Functional Design of Sustainable Drainage in Blue-Green Cities

Fenner

2017

Water

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Urban drainage systems that incorporate elements of green infrastructure (SuDS/GI) are central features in Blue-Green and Sponge Cities. Such approaches provide effective control of stormwater management whilst generating a range of other benefits. However these benefits often occur coincidentally and are not developed or maximised in the original design. Of all the benefits that may accrue, the relevant dominant benefits relating to specific locations and socio-environmental circumstances need to be established, so that flood management functions can be co-designed with these wider benefits to ensure both are achieved during system operation. The paper reviews a number of tools which can evaluate the multiple benefits of SuDS/GI interventions in a variety of ways and introduces new concepts of benefit intensity and benefit profile. Examples of how these concepts can be applied is provided in a case study of proposed SuDS/GI assets in the central area of Newcastle; UK. Ways in which SuDS/GI features can be actively extended to develop desired relevant dominant benefits are discussed; e.g., by (i) careful consideration of tree and vegetation planting to trap air pollution; (ii) extending linear SuDS systems such as swales to enhance urban connectivity of green space; and (iii) managing green roofs for the effective attenuation of noise or carbon sequestration. The paper concludes that more pro-active development of multiple benefits is possible through careful co-design to achieve the full extent of urban enhancement SuDS/GI schemes can offer.

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Green infrastructure life cycle assessment: A bio-infiltration case study

Cited by 118 publications

References 6 publications

Review and Research Needs of Bioretention Used for the Treatment of Urban Stormwater

Review and Research Needs of Bioretention Used for the Treatment of Urban Stormwater

Environmental and economic assessment of a pilot stormwater infiltration system for flood prevention in Brazil

Spatial Evaluation of Multiple Benefits to Encourage Multi-Functional Design of Sustainable Drainage in Blue-Green Cities

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