The potential of coconut waste as green roof materials to improve stormwater runoff. (1st March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romali, Noor Suraya; Ardzu, Fatin Afiqah Binti; Suzany, Muhamad Nurfaizal
• Is Part Of: Water science and technology. Volume 87:Number 6(2023)
• Page Start: 1515
• Page End: 1528
• Publication Date: 2023-03-01
• Subjects: coconut waste -- green roof -- peak flow reduction -- stormwater management; Water -- Pollution; Sewage -- Purification; Water quality management; Periodicals; 628.168
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0273-1223

Abstract

Abstract: Urbanization is one of the leading causes of urban flooding as rapid development produces more impervious areas in cities. The application of green roofs is regarded as an effective technology to minimize the adverse effects of urban development. The stormwater management capacities of green roofs have been extensively acknowledged, and they can retain rainfall and detain runoff. Nevertheless, Malaysia has experienced few green roof applications, and only limited literature is available concerning such topics. Additionally, the incorporation of waste and recycled material in green roof designs must be considered to ensure such projects benefit the environment as well as the economy. Therefore, the construction of a green roof utilizing recycled waste materials was attempted. An extensive green roof was constructed using beach morning glory and creeping ox-eye plants as vegetation layers, along with coconut waste, i.e., coconut fiber and coconut shell, as the medium for the filter and drainage layer, respectively. According to the results, the use of recycled coconut waste materials in the green roof operations reduced the peak flow by as much as 86%, while the use of commercial materials led to a reduction of 67%. HIGHLIGHTS: The novelty of this study are: The utilization of coconut waste as the green roof materials. The production of burnt-crushed coconut shell as the drainage layer material. The use of coconut fiber to replace the non-woven geotextile used in the filter layer. A sustainable and economical green roof using a recycled waste material. Able to improve peak flow of surface runoff up to 86% reduction. Graphical Abstract