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Urban flooding has become one of the most frequent natural disasters in recent years, and the low-impact development (LID) approach is currently recognised as an alternative to traditional grey infrastructure to mitigate the negative impact of urbanisation on hydrological processes. The main objective of the present research was to develop a web-GIS platform in order to assess the impact of LID systems on mitigating urban flooding and to support their implementation at the urban catchment scale. The TRIG Eau platform, developed in the framework of the homonymous INTERREG MARITTIMO IT-FR project, is configured as a web-GIS application of the stormwater management model (SWMM). Urban flood conditions were examined for two case studies in Liguria and Tuscany (IT), where DRWH systems are proposed as a mitigation strategy. The presented results and their visualisation showcase the potential of the TRIG Eau platform to better support the implementation of LIDs. Findings from the flood analysis confirm that even for the 10-year return period event, DRWHs are effective in reducing network stress by more than 70% in cases of empty tanks, thus underlining the need for RTC technology to pre-empty the system.
Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. The Web-GIS TRIG Eau Platform to Assess Urban Flood Mitigation by Domestic Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Two Residential Settlements in Italy. Sustainability 2021, 13, 7241 .
AMA StyleAnna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco. The Web-GIS TRIG Eau Platform to Assess Urban Flood Mitigation by Domestic Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Two Residential Settlements in Italy. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (13):7241.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. 2021. "The Web-GIS TRIG Eau Platform to Assess Urban Flood Mitigation by Domestic Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Two Residential Settlements in Italy." Sustainability 13, no. 13: 7241.
In order to effectively estimate the hydrologic performance of green roofs, continuous simulation approaches are recently used thus allowing to include the precipitation regime features as well as the varying soil moisture conditions. Continuous simulations are implemented in the EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) using as input data the climate data series recorded at three Italian sites (Bergamo, Genoa and Castelbuono) while a simple methodological approach is adopted to estimate the actual evapotranspiration. Results are examined at the event scale by means of the volume and the peak reduction rates. Results confirm the positive impact of green roof retrofitting scenario for all the investigated climate regimes. On the other hand, the specific rainfall characteristics at the event scale (mainly rainfall depth and antecedent dry weather period) affect both the retention and detention performance of green roofs.
Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. A continuous simulation approach to quantify the climate condition effect on the hydrologic performance of green roofs. Urban Water Journal 2019, 17, 609 -618.
AMA StyleAnna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco. A continuous simulation approach to quantify the climate condition effect on the hydrologic performance of green roofs. Urban Water Journal. 2019; 17 (7):609-618.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. 2019. "A continuous simulation approach to quantify the climate condition effect on the hydrologic performance of green roofs." Urban Water Journal 17, no. 7: 609-618.
Representation of metal partitioning in urban drainage is required when determining loadings, treatment, maintenance and regulatory compliance. This study examined partitioning and transport of metals from urban paved surfaces: highway; parking lot (landside) and apron terminal (airside) within aviation site; terminals within port area. Equilibrium concentrations of metals and particulate matter (PM) using a non-parametric analysis for a series of six paved surface area catchments were compared. In particular, two American highway sites and four Italian sites located in the Liguria Region (two port terminal and two aviation sites) are examined and compared with event-based concentrations collected from catchments with similar land uses. The highway sites are more heavily loaded with PM (up to averagely 470 mg/l of PM as total suspended solids) while the terminal port ones reveal the most significant mass delivery of metals, as high as 1 mg/l. Transport of metal phases on an event basis, thus relating hydrology and PM mass delivery impacting metal partitioning, are examined. At all catchment sites, copper and lead reveal the greatest affinity for the particulate-bound fraction while zinc shows significantly different partitioning behaviour that may be partially depending on the specific site characteristics and the chemistry of zinc. Partitioning, indexed through a partitioning coefficient, Kd, accounts for hydrologic transport, PM transport and interactions with and between metals. Kd can vary by orders of magnitude across a runoff event for the source area catchments of this study. A Kd condition in the range of 104–105 l/kg appears to be approached for all metals as elapsed runoff time increases. Based on the variability of partitioning, whether intra- or inter-event, results indicate that paved source area treatment requires a combination of sedimentation, filtration and adsorption mechanisms for in-situ unit operations and processes.
I. Gnecco; A. Palla; J.J. Sansalone. Partitioning of zinc, copper and lead in urban drainage from paved source area catchments. Journal of Hydrology 2019, 578, 124128 .
AMA StyleI. Gnecco, A. Palla, J.J. Sansalone. Partitioning of zinc, copper and lead in urban drainage from paved source area catchments. Journal of Hydrology. 2019; 578 ():124128.
Chicago/Turabian StyleI. Gnecco; A. Palla; J.J. Sansalone. 2019. "Partitioning of zinc, copper and lead in urban drainage from paved source area catchments." Journal of Hydrology 578, no. : 124128.
In existing urban areas the drainage systems can be retrofitted in order to address flooding and water quality problems. In this study, the installation of green roofs is assumed as hypothetic retrofitting scenario according to a sustainable storm water mitigation strategy for a selected urban catchment. The modelling is undertaken using EPA SWMM; the simulations are performed over a continuous simulation of 26-years of rainfall records. The modelling results point out that the retrofitting scenario contributes to the storm water runoff mitigation mainly in terms of volume and peak reduction.
Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco; Paolo La Barbera. Enhancing the Retention Performance of a Small Urban Catchment by Green Roofs. Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions 2018, 58 -62.
AMA StyleAnna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco, Paolo La Barbera. Enhancing the Retention Performance of a Small Urban Catchment by Green Roofs. Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions. 2018; ():58-62.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco; Paolo La Barbera. 2018. "Enhancing the Retention Performance of a Small Urban Catchment by Green Roofs." Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions , no. : 58-62.
Representation of metal partitioning in urban drainage is required when determining loadings, treatment, maintenance and regulatory compliance. This is particularly the case for paved urban source areas where, if a first-flush exists, the design volumetric capture and treatment will be based on such regulatory requirements. However, such treatment for metals requires partitioning information if metals are to be effectively separated from flows from paved source areas. This study examined partitioning and transport of metals from paved surfaces of four differing land uses: highway, airside and landside within aviation site, commercial/tourism terminals within port area. Equilibrium concentrations of metals and particulate matter (PM) using a non-parametric analysis for a series of six paved surface area catchments were compared. In particular two American highway sites, and four Italian sites located in the Liguria Region (two port terminal sites and two aviation sites) were examined and compared with event based concentrations collected from catchments with similar land uses. The role of hydrology on mass transport and partitioning of aqueous and particulate-bound metal fractions was evaluated. Finally transport of metal phases on an event basis, thus relating hydrology and PM mass delivery impacting metal partitioning were examined. Partitioning, indexed through a partitioning coefficient, Kd (L/kg) accounts for hydrologic transport, PM transport and interactions with and between metals. Kd can vary by orders of magnitude across a runoff event for the source area catchments of this study. Highway sites were more heavily loaded with PM and metals than airport sites. The metals results from the six sites of this study were compared to similar sites around the world. Based on the variability of partitioning, whether intra- or inter-event, results indicate that paved source area treatment requires a combination of sedimentation, filtration and adsorption mechanisms for in-situ unit operations and processes (UOP).
Ilaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; John Sansalone. Partitioning of Metals in Urban Drainage from Paved Source Area Catchments. Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions 2018, 899 -904.
AMA StyleIlaria Gnecco, Anna Palla, John Sansalone. Partitioning of Metals in Urban Drainage from Paved Source Area Catchments. Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions. 2018; ():899-904.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; John Sansalone. 2018. "Partitioning of Metals in Urban Drainage from Paved Source Area Catchments." Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions , no. : 899-904.
In an existing urban environment, retrofitting low impact development (LID) solutions can provide an opportunity to address flooding and water quality problems. Taking into account the need to effectively estimate the impact of vegetated LIDs, particular attention has recently been given on the evapotranspiration (ET) process that is responsible for the restoring of green roof water-holding capacity. The present study aims to develop a methodological approach to estimate the actual ET as climate input data in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) continuous simulation. The proposed approach is calibrated on a single green roof installation based on one-minute continuous simulations over 26 years of climate records. Then the calibrated methodological approach has been implemented to perform continuous simulation of a small urban catchment retrofitted with green roofs. Based on simulation results, the peak and volume reduction rate evaluated for the 1433 rainfall events are equal to 0.3 on average (with maximum values of 0.96 for peak and 0.86 for volume). In general, the adopted methodology indicates that the actual ET estimate is needed to suitably assess the hydrologic performance of vegetated LIDs mainly concerning the volume reduction index; furthermore, the methodology can be easily replicated for other vegetated LID applications.
Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco; Paolo La Barbera. Assessing the Hydrologic Performance of a Green Roof Retrofitting Scenario for a Small Urban Catchment. Water 2018, 10, 1052 .
AMA StyleAnna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco, Paolo La Barbera. Assessing the Hydrologic Performance of a Green Roof Retrofitting Scenario for a Small Urban Catchment. Water. 2018; 10 (8):1052.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco; Paolo La Barbera. 2018. "Assessing the Hydrologic Performance of a Green Roof Retrofitting Scenario for a Small Urban Catchment." Water 10, no. 8: 1052.
The present paper proposes a dimensionless analytical framework to investigate the impact of the rainfall event structure on the hydrograph peak. To this end a methodology to describe the rainfall event structure is proposed based on the similarity with the depth–duration–frequency (DDF) curves. The rainfall input consists of a constant hyetograph where all the possible outcomes in the sample space of the rainfall structures can be condensed. Soil abstractions are modelled using the Soil Conservation Service method and the instantaneous unit hydrograph theory is undertaken to determine the dimensionless form of the hydrograph; the two-parameter gamma distribution is selected to test the proposed methodology. The dimensionless approach is introduced in order to implement the analytical framework to any study case (i.e. natural catchment) for which the model assumptions are valid (i.e. linear causative and time-invariant system). A set of analytical expressions are derived in the case of a constant-intensity hyetograph to assess the maximum runoff peak with respect to a given rainfall event structure irrespective of the specific catchment (such as the return period associated with the reference rainfall event). Looking at the results, the curve of the maximum values of the runoff peak reveals a local minimum point corresponding to the design hyetograph derived according to the statistical DDF curve. A specific catchment application is discussed in order to point out the dimensionless procedure implications and to provide some numerical examples of the rainfall structures with respect to observed rainfall events; finally their effects on the hydrograph peak are examined.
Ilaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; Paolo La Barbera. A dimensionless approach for the runoff peak assessment: effects of the rainfall event structure. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 2018, 22, 943 -956.
AMA StyleIlaria Gnecco, Anna Palla, Paolo La Barbera. A dimensionless approach for the runoff peak assessment: effects of the rainfall event structure. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 2018; 22 (2):943-956.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; Paolo La Barbera. 2018. "A dimensionless approach for the runoff peak assessment: effects of the rainfall event structure." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 22, no. 2: 943-956.
Green roofs are increasingly used as a sustainable urban drainage system due to their positive impact on the storm water management. The mitigation consists in reducing the total outflow volume, while delaying the initial time of runoff and distributing the outflow over a longer time period. The retention, detention, and infiltration processes promote the occurrence of adsorption and dissolution mechanisms throughout the green roof components generally limiting the total pollutant mass delivered on an event basis. An overview of the green roofs hydrologic performance metrics as well as experimental data to provide a quantitatively assessment is presented. Similarly the impact of a green roof in altering storm water quality is examined based on the observed pollutant loads reported in the literature. Finally, the needs for future research and suggestions for green roofs integration in urban water mitigation strategies are discussed.
Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. Green Roofs to Improve Water Management. Nature Based Strategies for Urban and Building Sustainability 2018, 203 -213.
AMA StyleAnna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco. Green Roofs to Improve Water Management. Nature Based Strategies for Urban and Building Sustainability. 2018; ():203-213.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. 2018. "Green Roofs to Improve Water Management." Nature Based Strategies for Urban and Building Sustainability , no. : 203-213.
The present paper proposes a dimensionless analytical framework to predict the hydrologic response of a given catchment thus assessing the impact of the rainfall event structure on the runoff peak. The dimensionless form of the rainfall depth is described as a simple power function of the dimensionless duration. Soil abstractions are modelled using the Soil Conservation Service method and the Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph theory is undertaken to determine the dimensionless form of the hydrograph; the two-parameter gamma-distribution is selected to test the proposed methodology. A set of analytical expressions are derived in case of constant-intensity hyetograph to assess the highest runoff peak with respect to a given rainfall event structure irrespective of the specific catchment. Looking at the results, the curve of the highest values of the runoff peak reveals a local minimum point in the neighbourhood of d* and n values equal to 1 and 0.3, respectively. As an example, the proposed approach has been applied to analyse the hydrologic response of a small Mediterranean catchment to three observed rainfall events characterized by different rainfall internal structures.
Ilaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; Paolo La Barbera. A dimensionless approach for the runoff peak assessment: effects of the rainfall event structure. 2017, 2017, 1 -25.
AMA StyleIlaria Gnecco, Anna Palla, Paolo La Barbera. A dimensionless approach for the runoff peak assessment: effects of the rainfall event structure. . 2017; 2017 ():1-25.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; Paolo La Barbera. 2017. "A dimensionless approach for the runoff peak assessment: effects of the rainfall event structure." 2017, no. : 1-25.
In the framework of storm water management, Domestic Rainwater Harvesting (DRWH) systems are recently recognized as source control solutions according to LID principles. In order to assess the impact of these systems in storm water runoff control, a simple methodological approach is proposed. The hydrologic-hydraulic modelling is undertaken using EPA SWMM; the DRWH is implemented in the model by using a storage unit linked to the building water supply system and to the drainage network. The proposed methodology has been implemented for a residential urban block located in Genoa (Italy). Continuous simulations are performed by using the high-resolution rainfall data series for the ''do nothing'' and DRWH scenarios. The latter includes the installation of a DRWH system for each building of the urban block. Referring to the test site, the peak and volume reduction rate evaluated for the 2125 rainfall events are respectively equal to 33 and 26 percent, on average (with maximum values of 65 percent for peak and 51 percent for volume). In general, the adopted methodology indicates that the hydrologic performance of the storm water drainage network equipped with DRWH systems is noticeable even for the design storm event (T = 10 years) and the rainfall depth seems to affect the hydrologic performance at least when the total depth exceeds 20 mm.
A. Palla; I. Gnecco; P. La Barbera. The impact of domestic rainwater harvesting systems in storm water runoff mitigation at the urban block scale. Journal of Environmental Management 2017, 191, 297 -305.
AMA StyleA. Palla, I. Gnecco, P. La Barbera. The impact of domestic rainwater harvesting systems in storm water runoff mitigation at the urban block scale. Journal of Environmental Management. 2017; 191 ():297-305.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Palla; I. Gnecco; P. La Barbera. 2017. "The impact of domestic rainwater harvesting systems in storm water runoff mitigation at the urban block scale." Journal of Environmental Management 191, no. : 297-305.
All over Europe, it is a known fact that cities are shrinking. One of the main causes is population decline, but the consequent reduction of urban area is neither immediate nor easy to foresee spatially. Questions arise such as where do cities start to ‘shrink’ first? What are the most fragile areas that face the risk of becoming derelict? What are the most vulnerable social groups? And how does this affect real estate values across the city? Existing models for projecting the effects of shrinkage have been criticized for lacking spatial-explicitness, being excessively data-dependent, and failing to incorporate various socio-economic, urban and environmental aspects in the assessment of attractiveness of urban areas and of decisions by households. In this article, we attempt to overcome this criticism by applying the spatially-explicit Sustainable Urbanizing Landscape Development decision support tool (SULD), based on hedonic pricing theory, in two cities in southern Europe (Aveiro, Portugal and Imperia, Italy). SULD is used to project, assess and compare changes in land-use, household type distribution, real estate values and household densities, in three different scenarios of population decline (−5%, −10% and −15%). Results quantify the amount of contraction of urban area, housing quantity and living space; highlight the most problematic areas; and uncover low income households as the least affected, whereas the relocation of high income households may cause gentrification of medium income households in some areas of the historical city centre.
Miguel Saraiva; Peter Roebeling; Sílvia Sousa; Carla Teotónio; Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. Dimensions of shrinkage: Evaluating the socio-economic consequences of population decline in two medium-sized cities in Europe, using the SULD decision support tool. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science 2016, 44, 1122 -1144.
AMA StyleMiguel Saraiva, Peter Roebeling, Sílvia Sousa, Carla Teotónio, Anna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco. Dimensions of shrinkage: Evaluating the socio-economic consequences of population decline in two medium-sized cities in Europe, using the SULD decision support tool. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science. 2016; 44 (6):1122-1144.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMiguel Saraiva; Peter Roebeling; Sílvia Sousa; Carla Teotónio; Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. 2016. "Dimensions of shrinkage: Evaluating the socio-economic consequences of population decline in two medium-sized cities in Europe, using the SULD decision support tool." Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science 44, no. 6: 1122-1144.
Urban green/blue spaces are put under pressure as urban areas grow, develop and evolve. It is increasingly recognized, however, that green/blue spaces provide important ecosystem services, stimulate higher real estate prices and prevent flooding problems. This paper aims to assess and compare the socio-economic impacts of potential green/blue space, urban residential and road infrastructure development scenarios in the Lyon Confluence project area (France), using the Sustainable Urbanizing Landscape Development (SULD) hedonic pricing simulation model. Results show four major tendencies regarding the value-added of green/blue spaces in urban landscapes: (1) cities become more compact; (2) population densities increase; (3) real estate values rise; and (4) demographic distribution patterns change. The magnitude of these impacts depends, however, on the quality and size of the intervention, the social classes attracted to the intervention area and on the location of the intervention relative to existing residential areas, urban centres, road infrastructure and environmental amenities.
Peter Roebeling; Miguel Saraiva; Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco; Carla Teotónio; Teresa Fidélis; Filomena Martins; Henrique Alves; Joao Rocha. Assessing the socio-economic impacts of green/blue space, urban residential and road infrastructure projects in the Confluence (Lyon): a hedonic pricing simulation approach. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 2016, 60, 482 -499.
AMA StylePeter Roebeling, Miguel Saraiva, Anna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco, Carla Teotónio, Teresa Fidélis, Filomena Martins, Henrique Alves, Joao Rocha. Assessing the socio-economic impacts of green/blue space, urban residential and road infrastructure projects in the Confluence (Lyon): a hedonic pricing simulation approach. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 2016; 60 (3):482-499.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Roebeling; Miguel Saraiva; Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco; Carla Teotónio; Teresa Fidélis; Filomena Martins; Henrique Alves; Joao Rocha. 2016. "Assessing the socio-economic impacts of green/blue space, urban residential and road infrastructure projects in the Confluence (Lyon): a hedonic pricing simulation approach." Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 60, no. 3: 482-499.
An analytical approach to assess the mini hydropower potential is proposed on a GIS platform. The mini hydropower potential is defined in terms of a synthetic index that measures the investment feasibility of a given hydropower plant. The investigation of the mini hydropower potential is performed at the catchment scale by integrating: catchment morphometric analysis; setting criteria for locating the weirs and powerhouses; hydrological modelling; engineering analysis; economic analysis and mapping. The integrated approach has been tested on the Arroscia catchment (Italy) where 27 weir sections have been examined thus resulting into 640 evaluated mini hydropower plant alternatives. Hydropower potential results indicate that in 14 over 27 sub-catchments it is possible to select at least a specific powerhouse location where the investment is affordable. The determination of MHP indexes in a simplified framework overcomes the typical problem due to the single prediction of hydropower potential for a specific plant configuration. The comprehensive MHP analysis allows to supports the energy management strategies while ensuring the sustainable water resource management at the catchment scale.
Anna Palla; I. Gnecco; P. La Barbera; M. Ivaldi; D. Caviglia. An Integrated GIS Approach to Assess the Mini Hydropower Potential. Water Resources Management 2016, 30, 2979 -2996.
AMA StyleAnna Palla, I. Gnecco, P. La Barbera, M. Ivaldi, D. Caviglia. An Integrated GIS Approach to Assess the Mini Hydropower Potential. Water Resources Management. 2016; 30 (9):2979-2996.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Palla; I. Gnecco; P. La Barbera; M. Ivaldi; D. Caviglia. 2016. "An Integrated GIS Approach to Assess the Mini Hydropower Potential." Water Resources Management 30, no. 9: 2979-2996.
In this paper, the implementation of Low Impact Development systems (LIDs) as source control solutions that contribute to restore the critical components of natural flow regimes, is analyzed at the urban catchment scale. The hydrologic response of a small urban catchment is investigated under different land use conversion scenarios including the installation of green roofs and permeable pavements. The modeling is undertaken using the EPA SWMM; the "do nothing" scenario is calibrated and validated based on field measurements while the LID control modules are calibrated and validated based on laboratory test measurements. The simulations are carried out by using as input the synthetic hyetographs derived for three different return periods (T= 2, 5 and 10. years). Modeling results confirm the effectiveness of LID solutions even for the design storm event (T= 10. years): in particular a minimum land use conversion area, corresponding to the Effective Impervious Area reduction of 5%, is required to obtain noticeable hydrologic benefits. The conversion scenario response is analyzed by using the peak flow reduction, the volume reduction and the hydrograph delay as hydrologic performance indexes. Findings of the present research show that the hydrologic performance linearly increases with increasing the EIA reduction percentages: at 36% EIA reduction (corresponding to the whole conversion of rooftops and parking lot areas), the peak and volume reductions rise till 0.45 and 0.23 respectively while the hydrograph delay increases till 0.19
Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. Hydrologic modeling of Low Impact Development systems at the urban catchment scale. Journal of Hydrology 2015, 528, 361 -368.
AMA StyleAnna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco. Hydrologic modeling of Low Impact Development systems at the urban catchment scale. Journal of Hydrology. 2015; 528 ():361-368.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco. 2015. "Hydrologic modeling of Low Impact Development systems at the urban catchment scale." Journal of Hydrology 528, no. : 361-368.
Anna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco; Marco Carbone; G. Garofalo; L.G. Lanza; Patrizia Piro. Influence of stratigraphy and slope on the drainage capacity of permeable pavements: laboratory results. Urban Water Journal 2014, 12, 394 -403.
AMA StyleAnna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco, Marco Carbone, G. Garofalo, L.G. Lanza, Patrizia Piro. Influence of stratigraphy and slope on the drainage capacity of permeable pavements: laboratory results. Urban Water Journal. 2014; 12 (5):394-403.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Palla; Ilaria Gnecco; Marco Carbone; G. Garofalo; L.G. Lanza; Patrizia Piro. 2014. "Influence of stratigraphy and slope on the drainage capacity of permeable pavements: laboratory results." Urban Water Journal 12, no. 5: 394-403.
Green roofs are increasingly used as sustainable urban drainage systems due to their retention and detention capacity; however, the impact of green roofs in term of water quality is still a debated issue among researchers. A monitoring programme was carried out at the University of Genoa on a full-scale experimental site to assess the quality of storm water outflows. As for rainfall, the bulk deposition (dry and wet fractions) is collected to evaluate the role of the overall atmospheric deposition in altering storm water quality. The pollutant load observed in the green roof outflow is limited; concentration values for solids and metals are lower than those generally observed in storm water runoff from impervious surfaces. Suspended solids and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) are below respectively 10 and 20 mg/l, on average; as for heavy metals, copper and zinc are equal to 30 μg/l on average, while iron is equal to 120 μg/l. The Event Mean Concentration (EMC) statistics of the pollutant loads associated with the rainfall and outflow have been compared and discussed. The observed green roof behaviour as a sink/source of pollutants with respect to the atmospheric deposition is also investigated based on both concentration and mass. Results demonstrate that: green roof behaves as a source with respect to solids, COD and potassium while zinc and mainly copper are retained within the green roof stratigraphy. The resulting mass delivery behaviour reveals that no significant first flush occurs for pollutant constituents irrespective of the hydrologic characteristics and pollutant sources
Ilaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; L.G. Lanza; P. La Barbera. The Role of Green Roofs as a Source/sink of Pollutants in Storm Water Outflows. Water Resources Management 2013, 27, 4715 -4730.
AMA StyleIlaria Gnecco, Anna Palla, L.G. Lanza, P. La Barbera. The Role of Green Roofs as a Source/sink of Pollutants in Storm Water Outflows. Water Resources Management. 2013; 27 (14):4715-4730.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; L.G. Lanza; P. La Barbera. 2013. "The Role of Green Roofs as a Source/sink of Pollutants in Storm Water Outflows." Water Resources Management 27, no. 14: 4715-4730.
Since 2007, the University of Genoa has been carrying out a monitoring programme to investigate the hydrologic response of green roofs in the Mediterranean climate by installing a green roof experimental site. In order to assess the influence of green roofs on the storm water runoff quality, water chemistry data have been included in the monitoring programme since 2010, providing rainfall and outflow data. For atmospheric source, the bulk deposition is collected to evaluate the role of the overall atmospheric deposition in storm water runoff quality. For subsurface outflow, a maximum of 24 composite samples are taken on an event basis, thus aiming at a full characterization of the outflow hydrograph. Water chemistry data reveal that the pollutant loads associated with green roof outflow is low; in particular, solids and metal concentrations are lower than values generally observed in storm water runoff from traditional rooftops. The concentration values of chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, Fe, Ca and K measured in the subsurface outflow are significantly higher than those observed in the bulk deposition (p < 0.05). With respect to the atmospheric deposition, the green roof behaviour as a sink/source of pollutants is investigated based on both concentration and mass.
Ilaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; Luca G. Lanza; Paolo La Barbera. A green roof experimental site in the Mediterranean climate: the storm water quality issue. Water Science and Technology 2013, 68, 1419 -1424.
AMA StyleIlaria Gnecco, Anna Palla, Luca G. Lanza, Paolo La Barbera. A green roof experimental site in the Mediterranean climate: the storm water quality issue. Water Science and Technology. 2013; 68 (6):1419-1424.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Gnecco; Anna Palla; Luca G. Lanza; Paolo La Barbera. 2013. "A green roof experimental site in the Mediterranean climate: the storm water quality issue." Water Science and Technology 68, no. 6: 1419-1424.
Nowadays domestic rainwater harvesting practices are recognized as effective tools to improve the sustainability of drainage systems within the urban environment, by contributing to limiting the demand for potable water and, at the same time, by mitigating the generation of storm water runoff at the source. The final objective of this paper is to define regression curves to size domestic rainwater harvesting (DRWH) systems in the main Italian climatic regions. For this purpose, the Köppen–Geiger climatic classification is used and, furthermore, suitable precipitation sites are selected for each climatic region. A behavioural model is implemented to assess inflow, outflow and change in storage volume of a rainwater harvesting system according to daily mass balance simulations based on historical rainfall observations. The performance of the DRWH system under various climate and operational conditions is examined as a function of two non-dimensional parameters, namely the demand fraction (d) and the modified storage fraction (sm). This last parameter allowed the evaluation of the effects of the rainfall intra-annual variability on the system performance.
A. Campisano; Ilaria Gnecco; C. Modica; Anna Palla. Designing domestic rainwater harvesting systems under different climatic regimes in Italy. Water Science and Technology 2013, 67, 2511 -2518.
AMA StyleA. Campisano, Ilaria Gnecco, C. Modica, Anna Palla. Designing domestic rainwater harvesting systems under different climatic regimes in Italy. Water Science and Technology. 2013; 67 (11):2511-2518.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Campisano; Ilaria Gnecco; C. Modica; Anna Palla. 2013. "Designing domestic rainwater harvesting systems under different climatic regimes in Italy." Water Science and Technology 67, no. 11: 2511-2518.
Domestic Rainwater Harvesting (DRWH) is recognized as one of the widely accepted solutions to save potable water in buildings and has seen increasing popularity in Europe due to the improved reliability and understanding of system design and realization issues. In this paper, the performance of DRWH systems is examined in order to support their optimal design under various precipitation regimes. For this purpose 46 sites are selected within the European territory, equally distributed among 5 main climate zones based on the Köppen–Geiger classification. A behavioural model is implemented and non dimensional parameters are used to suitably compare the system performance under various environmental (i.e. hydrologic characteristics) and operational (storage capacity) conditions. Regression analysis is performed to investigate the relationship between hydrologic variables and the DRWH system performance examined in terms of the total water-saving efficiency index, E and the median value of the detention time, T. Results demonstrate that the Antecedent Dry Weather Period (ADWP) is the main hydrologic parameter affecting the system behaviour, while rainfall event characteristics (including event rainfall depth, intensity and duration) reveal weak correlations. Linear regression curves between the ADWP and the system performance are obtained with respect to each storage fraction.
A. Palla; I. Gnecco; L.G. Lanza; P. La Barbera. Performance analysis of domestic rainwater harvesting systems under various European climate zones. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2012, 62, 71 -80.
AMA StyleA. Palla, I. Gnecco, L.G. Lanza, P. La Barbera. Performance analysis of domestic rainwater harvesting systems under various European climate zones. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2012; 62 ():71-80.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Palla; I. Gnecco; L.G. Lanza; P. La Barbera. 2012. "Performance analysis of domestic rainwater harvesting systems under various European climate zones." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 62, no. : 71-80.
The objectives of this study are to provide detailed information about green roof performance in the Mediterranean climate (retained volume, peak flow reduction, runoff delay) and to identify a suitable modelling approach for describing the associated hydrologic response. Data collected during a 13-month monitoring campaign and a seasonal monitoring campaign (September–December 2008) at the green roof experimental site of the University of Genova (Italy) are presented together with results obtained in quantifying the green roof hydrologic performance. In order to examine the green roof hydrologic response, the SWMS_2D model, that solves the Richards' equation for two-dimensional saturated-unsaturated water flow, has been implemented. Modelling results confirm the suitability of the SWMS_2D model to properly describe the hydrologic response of the green roofs. The model adequately reproduces the hydrographs; furthermore, the predicted soil water content profile generally matches the observed values along a vertical profile where measurements are available.
A. Palla; J. J. Sansalone; Ilaria Gnecco; Luca Lanza. Storm water infiltration in a monitored green roof for hydrologic restoration. Water Science and Technology 2011, 64, 766 -773.
AMA StyleA. Palla, J. J. Sansalone, Ilaria Gnecco, Luca Lanza. Storm water infiltration in a monitored green roof for hydrologic restoration. Water Science and Technology. 2011; 64 (3):766-773.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Palla; J. J. Sansalone; Ilaria Gnecco; Luca Lanza. 2011. "Storm water infiltration in a monitored green roof for hydrologic restoration." Water Science and Technology 64, no. 3: 766-773.