Suitability of roadside soils for absorbing rain and storm waters

"We studied the suitability of roadside soils for absorbing rain and storm waters at Soilia's lysimeter facility.

We used nine lysimeters, which were filled with three different kinds of surface soil: peat soil, waste sludge soil and waste sludge soil with 15% biochar mixed in. In other words we also studied the suitability of different soil compositions for the qualitative control of storm water.

Once the storm water had infiltrated through the soil profile, we took samples in order to analyse water quality. In addition to this, we also studied water absorption, meaning the effectiveness of the soil for preventing flood risks, by monitoring how the water moves through the soil.

Marjo Valtanen
postdoctoral researcher
University of Helsinki | Department of Environmental