2022 ESA Annual Meeting (August 14 - 19)
Main Menu Browse by Day Author Index

INS 10-4 Chemistry of a green roof substrate amended with biochar

10:00 AM-11:30 AM
520A
Virinder Sidhu, PhD, University of Toronto;Wenxi Liao, BSc,University of Toronto (Forestry and Civil Engineering);Liat Margolis, MLA,Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design;Marney E. Isaac, PhD,Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada;Sean C. Thomas, PhD,University of Toronto;Jennifer Drake, PhD, PEng.,Civil and Mineral Engineering Department, University of Toronto;
The substrate in 24 of 48 extensive green roof test beds (1.83m x 1.83m) was amended with biochar @ 5.4% at GRIT lab, University of Toronto. 24 test beds were planted with sedum species and 24 sown with native plant species. Substrate profile samples were taken from test beds two years after study establishment. Biochar increased organic matter content and total C in amended beds whereas both decreased in sedum beds. Total N followed same trend except in native species beds where it was slightly reduced. Biochar reduced total P in native species beds whereas that increased in sedum beds.