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2026 Vol.13, Issue 2

Original Article

Physico-Chemical Characterization of Substrate Materials for Green Roof Greening

인공지반 녹화를 위한 토양개량제의 이화학적 특성 분석

Junyoung Cho1
,
Hyomin Kim2*
,
Minseo Kim3
조 준영1
,
김 효민2*
,
김 민서3
1Master’s Degree Researcher, Department of Building and Urban Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Gyeonggi-Do 10223, Korea
2Senior Researcher, Department of Building and Urban Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Gyeonggi-Do 10223, Korea
3Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Building and Urban Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Gyeonggi-Do 10223, Korea
1한국건설기술연구원 건축도시연구본부 석사후연구원
2한국건설기술연구원 건축도시연구본부 수석연구원
3한국건설기술연구원 건축도시연구본부 박사후연구원
*Corresponding Author
30 June 2026. pp. 83-92
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Abstract

As urban densification intensifies and climate change continues to erode city sustainability, green roofs have emerged as a promising form of green infrastructure capable of enhancing urban ecological functions in land-constrained environments. This study analyzed the physicochemical and carbon-related properties of engineered soils and substrate component materials used in green roof systems, with the aim of establishing baseline data for substrate material selection to support material sustainability and stable plant growth. Eleven materials classified into organic, carbon-based, and inorganic categories were examined: peat moss, cocopeat, leaf mold, bark, high- and low-temperature biochar, carbonized rice hull, bottom ash, vermiculite, zeolite, and perlite. Carbon fractions derived from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)—total carbon (TC), organic carbon (OC), black carbon (BC), and inorganic carbon (IC)—were assessed alongside elemental composition and standard physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and available phosphate (P2O5). Baseline measurements collected in 2023 were compared with follow-up measurements obtained in 2024 to evaluate temporal changes over a one-year period. The results revealed measurable shifts in physicochemical properties across multiple materials over time. Organic and carbon-based materials generally demonstrated higher total carbon contents and greater nutrient retention capacity, whereas inorganic materials were characterized by lower total carbon and CEC values but higher porosity, rendering them suitable as drainage-promoting amendments within substrate mixtures. These results quantitatively characterize the distinct physicochemical and carbon-related profiles of organic, carbon-based, and inorganic substrate materials, providing baseline data that may serve as a reference for future green roof growing media research.

Keywords
Artificial soil
Carbon stocks
Green roof
Physicochemical properties
Substrate materials

도시 고밀화가 심화되고 기후변화에 따른 지속가능성이 약화되고 있다, 옥상녹화는 토지 이용이 제한된 도시공간에서 적용 가능성이 높은 도시 생태 기능을 높이는 그린 인프라로서 주목받고 있다. 본 연구는 옥상녹화 시스템 자재의 지속가능성을 향상시키고 안정적인 식물 생육을 위한 재료 선정에 필요한 기초자료를 확보하고자, 옥상녹화 시스템에 활용되는 인공토양 및 토양개량제 구성 재료의 이화학적 특성과 탄소 관련 특성을 분석하였다. 분석 대상은 유기계, 탄소계, 무기계로 구분되는 총 11종의 재료로, 피트모스, 코코피트, 부엽토, 바크, 고온 및 저온 바이오차, 훈탄, 바텀애시, 버미큘라이트, 제올라이트, 펄라이트를 포함한다. 열중량분석으로 산정한 탄소 분획(TC, OC, BC, IC)과 원소 및 이화학 분석(pH, EC, CEC, P2O5)을 통해 초기 특성(2023)과 1년 후(2024)의 변화를 비교하였다. 분석 결과, 다수 재료에서 시간 경과에 따른 이화학 특성 변화가 확인되었다. 유기계 및 탄소계 재료는 전반적으로 총탄소와 양분 보유 능력이 높게 나타났다. 반면, 무기계 재료는 총탄소와 양이온교환용량이 낮고 공극이 많아 배수성이 큰 토양개량제로서 이용될 수 있다. 연구의 결과는 유기계, 탄소계, 무기계 재료군별로 pH, EC, CEC, 탄소저장량 등 이화학적 특성이 다르며, 1년간 옥상 노출 후에도 재료별로 상이한 변화 양상을 보임을 정량적으로 제시하였다.

키워드
인공토양
토양개량재료
옥상녹화
이화학분석
탄소저장량
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Ecology and Infrastructure Engineering
  • Publisher(Ko) :응용생태공학회
  • Journal Title :Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
  • Journal Title(Ko) :응용생태공학회 논문집
  • Volume : 13
  • No :2
  • Pages :83-92
  • Received Date : 2026-03-11
  • Revised Date : 2026-03-29
  • Accepted Date : 2026-05-13
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.17820/eri.2026.13.2.083
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