Environmental Chlorine Pollution Mitigation Using Material–Pollutant Interactions and Field-Scale Applications

Nature-based solutions, including green infrastructure (GI), are considered sustainable tools for stormwater treatment. GI elements (rain gardens, green roofs, etc.) are increasingly applied as integrated approaches for climate change mitigation and environmental pollution reduction. This study focused on investigations of rain gardens for reducing stormwater polluted by residual chlorine after the disinfection of outdoor spaces. Laboratory (column test) and field tests were carried out to evaluate the infiltration capacities of an experimental rain garden model, as well as its efficiency for retaining residual chlorine. The experiments were conducted using simulated rain garden layers composed of waste materials that remained after different production processes. The average infiltration coefficient values obtained were 2.55 × 10^-5 m/s, 2.45 × 10^-5 m/s, 2.24 × 10^-5 m/s, 3.4 × 10^-5 m/s, 1.28 × 10^-5 m/s, 1.84 × 10^-5 m/s (laboratory test), and 1.39 × 10^-5 m/s (field test). These values correspond to the characteristics of sand-gravel substrates. A chlorine retention efficiency of 82.5-87% was obtained. Granulometric analysis confirmed fraction size suitability for rain garden filtration. This research indicates the potential of rain gardens for reducing stormwater pollution, providing a basis for future research and practical implementation.