Rainwater collection and treatment on green roofs using aromatic plants in a Mediterranean region.

For modern cities, green roofs provide important economic, environmental and social possibilities. They are a sustainable ecological technology. The present research study assesses the use of two substrates with different compositions for the growth of two aromatic plants (Lavandula dentata and Origanum majorana) in an extensive green roof implemented in a Mediterranean region (island of Lesvos, Greece). Growing substrates mixtures filled with perlite, vermiculite, expanded clay and compost, with the only difference in the amount of compost. Additionally, water runoff quality parameters -pH, turbidity, conductivity, COD and TP- and plant growth traits monitored during the experiment. The present research shows that aromatic vegetation combined with double amount of compost are suitable for green roofs located in countries of the Mediterranean region. 5. Acknowledgements The research work was supported by “Center of Sustainable and Circular Bioeconomy [Aegean_Bioeconomy]” (MIS5045851), which is implemented under the Action “Reinforcement of the Research and Innovation Infrastructure”, funded by the Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” (NSRF2014-2020) and co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund).