SITE CHARACTERISTICS AND HYDROLOGY OF SEA LED AEREAS

Soil physical and chemical properties of typical sealed urban sites in Berlin were measured. Water components were determined using lysimete rs with differently sealed surfaces. Water storage and infiltration is small and depends on sealing materials. Evapotranspiration and draina ge are reduced whereas runoff is increased. During summer time high su rface temperatures might occur on sealed surfaces. Because of high dus t input, infiltration of old sealed sites is reduced by an order of ma gnitude compared to sites which have been sealed recently. Long-term i nput of dust resulted in an increase of clay, silt, organic material a nd heavy metals. Finally specific recommendations for land planners ar e given.