ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Analysing Bioretention Hydraulics and Runoff
Retention through Numerical Modelling Using
RECARGA: a Case Study in a Romanian
Urban Area
More details
Hide details
1
University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Submission date: 2017-08-17
Final revision date: 2017-10-23
Acceptance date: 2017-10-26
Online publication date: 2018-05-09
Publication date: 2018-05-30
Corresponding author
Păunița Boancă
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE CLUJ-NAPOCA, Manastur Street, No. 3-5, Romania, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2018;27(5):1965-1973
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The benefits of bioretention systems are very important to the environment. Because of low knowledge
in the field at a national level (in Romania), they are not promoted or implemented. The aim of this
research was to develop and promote bioretention systems in Romania, with particular reference to one
of the biggest urban developments: Cluj-Napoca. We used the RECARGA to determine effective models
of bioretention cell for environmental conditions provided by 4 types of urban sites: commercial, industrial,
high-density residential, and low-density residential areas. The bioretention modelling was made for
a single event, with and without underdrain. The variables considered in the simulations were: native
soil texture, hydrological conductivity, CN, and percentage of impermeable surface. Soil texture was one
of the main variables that influenced the model, and is the most important element of control in the design
and performance of the bioretention cell. The results also show that hydraulic conductivity has a large
effect on the duration of flooding in the bioretention cell. All the details related to a bioretention cell
must be carefully studied, and included in the numerical modelling in order to obtain viable bioretention
systems.