Seasonal performance of field bioretention systems in retaining phosphorus in a cold climate: Influence of prolonged road salt application.

Bioretention systems are popular low impact development stormwater management features designed to remove pollutants, including phosphorus (P), from urban stormwater runoff. While the performance of bioretention systems in retaining P has been well studied, seasonal variability of P retention in field-scale systems installed in cold climates, including the influence of high road de-icing salt (sodium chloride) inputs, remains unclear. Two large field-scale bioretention systems installed in London, Ontario, Canada were monitored over their initial operational period to evaluate the seasonal trends in the retention of different forms of P in bioretention systems and the impact of high salt loading.