How does a bioslope, ecology embankment, or media filter drain work?

Bio-slopes are designed to treat sheet flow from adjacent impervious surfaces such as roads. Stormwater sheet flow moves off of the roadway, sometimes through another filter treatment, over a bio-slope. Runoff is filtered through the bio-slope and the bio-slope media. The bio-slope media is composed a combination of coarse aggregate and permeable soil particles with high water retention capability. Bioslope mix may include aggregates, perlite, dolomite, and gypsum. The dolomite and gypsum components help treat stormwater and act as a buffer for acidic pH conditions and provide treatment for heavy metals. Perlite aids in the treatment of particulates, metals, and nutrients with it primary function being to retain moisture.  Treated runoff exits the bioslope system through a granular drain backfill material and sometimes with a perforated drain pipe. The overall effect filters stormwater to reduce the amount of runoff and improve water quality from runoff.