A novel method to assess the infiltration and filtration functions of urban soils

Abstract

Urban areas are increasingly under pressure due to rapid expansion and extreme rainfall events driven by climate change. Rather than relying solely on pipes to regulate stormwater, new management systems promote direct infiltration of water and pollutants into the soil. Soils fulfill multiple functions, including water infiltration and pollutant filtration. Urban soils, however, are often highly heterogeneous; the presence of macropores can accelerate water flow while reducing pollutant retention. Yet, infiltration and filtration are typically assessed using surface measurements and soil-destructive methods, which fail to capture the complexity of water and pollutant transport pathways in th..