Hydraulic conductivity and phosphorus adsorption preference of various waste bricks used as storm-water bio-filter media

Urbanization can generate large amounts of construction waste including waste bricks, in which there are few suitable methods to solve. Thus, in this study, three common waste bricks were used as potential media for bioretention bonds. The hydraulic conductivity and phosphorus adsorption capacity of the waste bricks used were discussed. The results show that the hydraulic conductivity of the waste bricks decreased with the increase in added soil. When the phosphorus concentration was 5 mg/L, the adsorption rate of waste bricks with a size of less than 1 mm (red bricks, concrete blocks, and burn-free bricks) was 1%, 66%, 91.8%, respectively. The adsorption experiments proved that the adsorption rate of the three types of waste bricks does not change with the change in size. However, the adsorption capacity of red brick is proportional to the particle size, whereas the other bricks decrease with the increase in particle size. Such performances illustrate that waste bricks are effective materials that are used in bio-filter systems, and that a new approach regarding the treatment and disposal of construction and demolition waste in urban areas was found.