• English
    • Welsh
  • English 
    • English
    • Welsh
  • Login
Search DSpace:
  • Home
  • Research at Cardiff Met
  • Library Services
  • Contact Us
View item 
  • DSpace home
  • Cardiff School of Art and Design
  • Cardiff School of Art and Design (CSAD)
  • Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment group (SuRBe)
  • View item
  • DSpace home
  • Cardiff School of Art and Design
  • Cardiff School of Art and Design (CSAD)
  • Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment group (SuRBe)
  • View item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Eco-engineering strategies for soil restoration and water conservation: Investigating the application of soil improvements in a semi-arid climate in a medical facility case study, Abu Dhabi

Thumbnail
Author
Seguela, G.
Littlewood, John
Karani, George
Date
2017-07-21
Acceptance date
2017-07-10
Type
Article
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
0925-8574
Metadata
Show full item record
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to investigate the application of three different soil additives on existing selected draught resistant plants in 2016 and 2017 and how these can help improve soil conditions and the reduction of desalinated water for landscape irrigation in the UAE. The methodology of this Doctorate in Sustainable Built Environment (D.SBE) action research project, designed, developed and implemented by the first author, uses a mixed method. The case study is a 364 beds hospital located in Abu Dhabi, capital city of the UAE, with a vegetated open space and decorative water features representing more than 50% of the building footprint. The primary source of the medical facility landscape irrigation and water feature is designed to be air conditioning condensate water to avoid usage of any desalinated water in an arid environment. For four months of the year, the irrigation demand will not be met by the condensate water in winter because peak condensate formation occurs in summer. This shortfall availability during the winter months is proposed to be met by soil amendment and by use of other alternative water types. The soil test results show rapid plant growth with one of the soil conditioner solution whereas water savings is inconclusive due to irrigation system hydraulic irregularities and the lack of irrigation standardized rating for building operation. The next steps are to firstly balance the soil pH with a gypsum solution, to secondly reprogram the irrigation system controller with tested and audited hydraulic building parameters and to thirdly include all adequate parameters including ETo and rainfall to estimate the irrigation demand so that water savings can be accurately monitored. This intervention study will help understand the correlation between soil water quality together with irrigation rate and irrigation distribution system’s audit and how these factors impact on the environment, operation and maintenance cost and practices, greenhouse gas emissions, and building systems water and energy consumption. The results may be relevant to local authorities responsible for making and adjusting standards for outdoor irrigation strategy for all types of building.
Journal/conference proceeding
Ecological Engineering;
Citation
Seguela, G., Littlewood, J.R. and Karani, G. (2017) 'Eco-engineering strategies for soil restoration and water conservation: Investigating the application of soil improvements in a semi-arid climate in a medical facility case study, Abu Dhabi', Ecological Engineering.
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10369/9381
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2017.07.020
Description
This article was published in Ecological Engineering, Corrected proof online on 21 July 2017 available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2017.07.020
Sponsorship
Cardiff Metropolitan University (Grant ID: Cardiff Metropolian (Internal))
Collections
  • Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment group (SuRBe) [65]
  • Un-themed [113]

Related items

Showing items related by title, author, subject and abstract.

  • Thumbnail

    A study to assess alternative water sources for reducing energy consumption in a medical facility case study, Abu Dhabi 

    Seguela, Geraldine; Littlewood, John; Karani, George (Elsevier, 2017-10-23)
    This paper presents the case for water and energy conservation in a desert type climate healthcare environment, which is based on the need for Abu Dhabi to decrease potable water and energy consumption to reduce environmental ...
  • Thumbnail

    Onsite Food Waste Processing as an Opportunity to Conserve Water in a Medical Facility Case Study, Abu Dhabi 

    Seguela, Geraldine; Littlewood, John; Karani, George (Elsevier, 2017-03-28)
    This paper presents the case for soil and water conservation combined with waste recycling strategies in a desert type climate healthcare environment, which is based on the need for Abu Dhabi to decrease desalinated potable ...
  • Thumbnail

    Energy and Environmental Performance of the ‘Abertridwr Community’ – First Winter Season 

    Littlewood, John; Smallwood, I.; Davies, G. (Elsevier, 2014)
    This paper discusses initial findings from the first eight months (July 2013 to February 2014) of the environmental performance monitoring as part of a Technology Strategy Board funded Building Performance Evaluation ...

Browse

DSpace at Cardiff MetCommunities & CollectionsBy issue dateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis collectionBy issue dateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

My Account

Login

Statistics

Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

DSpace software copyright © 2002-2015  DuraSpace
Contact us | Send feedback | Administrator