Long-Term Geophysical Monitoring of a Bioswale along I-95: Implications for Future Monitoring, Design, and Maintenance

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Geology

University at Buffalo

Interstate-95 is currently undergoing expansion, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is implementing stormwater control measures to prevent increased combined sewer outflow. Specifically, PennDOT is installing a series of bioswales adjacent to I-95, with 20 out of 80 total currently constructed. Understanding how stormwater infiltrates through these bioswales is key for understanding their longevity, updating future designs, and maintenance planning. Soil sensors can provide excellent temporal data, but are only point measurements, and cannot provide extensive spatial coverage needed for an entire bioswale. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a non-invasive geophysical survey method that is sensitive to changes in water content and pore fluid conductivity, and can provide a spatial component to bioswale monitoring. Using an on-site ERT monitoring station, we were able to image over 100 storm events, providing details on deeper infiltration that lead to improved bioswale pre-construction plans. Additionally, we studied how road salt dynamics affected plant growth, allowing us to provide guidance on landscaping plans for future bioswales.

Gina Pope received her BS in geology from SUNY Brockport in 2015, her MS in geology from Baylor University in 2017, and her PhD in geoscience from Temple University in 2023. Before joining UB, she was an adjunct professor at both SUNY Geneseo and Rochester Institute of Technology. Currently, she is a clinical assistant professor here at UB in the Geology Department. Her field of specialty is hydro-geophysics, where she focuses on using long-term electrical resistivity tomography and in-situ soil sensors to image how water flows through the subsurface. Dr. Pope brings her perspective of how geophysics can be used to monitor soil and water in urban environments.