Effects of PVC, cast iron and concrete conduit on concentrations of copper in stormwater

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Architectural applications of copper on roofs, gutters and facades exposes it to weathering forces, such as wind and all forms of precipitation. This leads to the dissolution of copper from these surfaces and its introduction into local watersheds. The potential for exposure in local watersheds is a function of the amount of copper entering the watershed and the assimilation capacity of a wide variety of natural and manmade substrates that transform and sequester copper, thus reducing exposure of sensitive organisms to bioavailable copper. This study investigates one type of manmade substrate, stormwater conduit, commonly used to transport stormwater away from buildings. Conduits made of PVC and cast iron did not significantly remove copper from a synthetic stormwater spiked with copper averaging 2391 μg Cu/L. Concrete conduit significantly removed copper from the synthetic water and at high rates (12 – 18%) over a short distance (610 cm). A high percentage (81 – 100%) of the copper removed from the water was from the dissolved copper fraction. Once adsorbed to the concrete, copper did not readily leach back into copper-free water subsequently pumped into the conduit. These characteristics have significant implications for watershed management and best management practices for reducing concentrations of copper in stormwater runoff.