Impact of bioretention cells in cities with a cold climate: modeling snow management based on a case study

Abstract The performance of blue-green infrastructures (BGIs) has been well documented in temperate and subtropical climates, but evidence supporting their application cold especially during snowmelt, is still scarce. To address this gap, the present study proposes a modeling method for simulating bioretention cells snowmelt according to different spatial implementation scenarios. We used Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) catchment medium-sized city Quebec, Canada as case study. Pollutants commonly found snow (TSS, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cl–) were included model using event mean concentrations (EMCs) literature. Bioretention performed best on industrial road sites entire period. cell was affected by management procedures applied roads residential areas. Not cover build-up meltdown simulation led higher runoff performance. Modeling results facilitated identification that efficiently controlled snowmelt. Such information needed support decision planning BGIs cities with climate.