Pollutant Washoff Research Articles

Stormwater runoff microplastics: Polymer types, particle size, and factors controlling loading rates

Stormwater runoff is a pathway of entry for microplastics (MPs, plastics <5 mm) into aquatic ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to determine MP size, morphology, chemical composition, and loading across urban storm events. Particles were extracted from stormwater samples collected at outfall locations using wet peroxide oxidation and cellulose digestion followed by analysis via attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR. Concentrations observed were 0.99 ± 1.10 MP/L for 500–1000 μm and 0.41 ± 0.30 MP/L for the 1000–5000 μm size ranges. Seventeen different polymer types were observed. MP particle sizes measured using a FTIR-microscope camera indicated non-target size particles based on sieve-size classification, highlighting a potential source of error in studies reporting concentration by size class. A maximum MP load of 38.3 MP/m2 of upstream catchment was calculated. MP loadings had moderate correlations with both rainfall accumulation and intensity (Kendall τ = 0.54 and 0.42, respectively, both p ≤ 0.005). First flush (i.e. rapid wash-off of pollutants from watershed surfaces during rainfall early stages) was not always observed, and antecedent dry days were not correlated with MP abundance, likely due to the short dry periods between sampling events. Overall, the results presented provide data for risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

Releases of micropollutants from building surface materials into rainwater and snowmelt induced runoff

Building surface materials, exposed to wash-off by rainwater or snowmelt, are recognised as one of the significant urban diffuse pollution sources contributing to the impairment of stormwater quality. The pollution conveyed by roof runoff originates from two potential sources, migration of surface material constituents, or wash-off of pollutants deposited on the surface by atmospheric deposition. This study investigated the releases of metals and several groups of contaminants of emerging concern: alkylphenols, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and phthalates, from commercially available materials, which are commonly used on buildings and structure surfaces in the urban environment. The materials tested included the following: metal sheets of stainless steel, copper, zinc, galvanised steel, corten steel, corrugated and coated steel, coated zinc; and bitumen-based roofing felt and shingles, as well as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from two manufacturers. The stainless steel was considered a control material serving to estimate pollutant contributions deposited on the pilot panels from the surrounding environment. Moreover, this study presents novel data on roof snowmelt induced runoff quality, not reported in the previous literature. The experimental setup consisted of 2-m2 rectangular panels mounted in triplicates of each material and placed in an open-air setting on the campus of Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. Runoff leaving the gently sloping material panels was collected during 11 rain and three snowmelt driven runoff events occurring over a five-year period. The results showed that, in general, the micropollutant concentrations and loads were lower in snowmelt than rain induced runoff, and no decreasing trend was detected in the releases of phthalates or metals during the study period. Moreover, on a yearly basis, copper sheets were estimated to release 0.6 g/m2 Cu to runoff, zinc and galvanised sheets 1.3 and 0.7 g/m2 Zn, respectively, and, PVC sheets were estimated to release up to 78 mg/m2 of diisononyl phthalate (DINP).

Modeling washoff in temperate and tropical urban catchments

Modeling the washoff of pollutants from urban catchments is a difficult task. Although the exponential washoff model has been in use for decades, there is a general lack of data on model parameters and much less is known about how the model parameters are influenced by storm and climate characteristics. This study was done to understand how model parameters vary between different catchments having vastly different rainfall characteristics. Such a study will elucidate model response to rainfall, which in turn provides better knowledge on model function. High quality rainfall, runoff, and water quality data for a total of 117 storm events were sourced from the literature, which included 48 storm events from temperate (Bellevue, Washington, US; Dublin, Ireland) and 69 storm events from tropical (Skudai, Malaysia; Singapore; Pampano Beach, Florida, US) catchments, respectively. All the data were sourced from catchments with residential land use. This dataset was supplemented by additional measurements done in two residential catchments in Geelong (temperate) where a total of 16 storm events were monitored. Monte Carlo analysis was used to obtain the best-fit values of the washoff model parameters consisting the washoff coefficient, C3, washoff exponent, C4, and the initial mass on surface, Bin. It was found that the spread of these parameter values was greater for the dissolved pollutants ortho-phosphate (OP) and ammonium- nitrogen (NH4 - N) than for total suspended solids (TSS). There are strong suggestions that Bin represents the mass available on the surface at the start of a washoff event, as evidenced by observations that Bin is significantly higher for the tropical dataset, a reflection of the greater storm energy associated with tropical rainfall. The small variation in C4 across all (temperate and tropical) sites is related to its dependence on local flow conditions, linked with the friction velocity and critical shear stress conditions. The parameters C3 and Bin on the other hand, are correlated with rainfall, with C3 having a larger uncertainty. Of all the rainfall characteristics investigated, the rainfall depth for the current event, d was found to be the single parameter that correlated well with Bin and C3 for TSS. The strength of this dependence diminished for pollutants in mixed and dissolved forms. In temperate regions, Bin correlates strongly with both the average and maximum intensities whereas in tropical catchments, maximum intensity and depth were found to be significant. This correlation for the temperate catchments can be understood by the dependence of rainfall energy on intensity. Rainfall energy ceases to increase once intensity exceeds 3 in/hr (76.2 mm/hr), which is uncommon in temperate catchments, but is common in the tropics.

Rainfall Washoff of Spores From Concrete and Asphalt Surfaces.

After a biological terrorist attack, understanding the migration of agents such as Bacillus anthracis is critical due to their deadly nature. This is important in urban settings with higher likelihood of human exposure and a large fraction of impervious materials contributing to pollutant washoff. The study goals were to understand the removal of spores from urban surfaces under different rainfall conditions, to compare washoff of two B. anthracis surrogate spores, and to compare two empirical fits for the first flush of spores from small areas. Concrete and asphalt were inoculated with either Bacillus atrophaeus or Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki spores and exposed to simulated rainfall. The study assessed goodness-of-fit for the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM)'s exponential washoff function compared to an alternative two-stage exponential function. The highest average washoff of spores was 15% for an hour-long experiment. Spore washoff was not significantly different for the two spore types, but there were significant differences in washoff from asphalt versus concrete with more occurring from asphalt. Average kinetic energy of the storm event impacted washoff from asphalt, but not concrete. The two-stage function had a better goodness-of-fit than the SWMM exponential function. As such, emergency responders should be aware that the spread of contamination is impacted by the droplet characteristics of the storm event and the surface material type in the contaminated area; modelers should be aware that different data-fitting approaches may be more appropriate for first-flush calculations of small washoff areas than those used for continuous long-term simulation of large subcatchments.

Examination of Surface Water Along River-Rima Floodplain in Wamakko, Sokoto State, Nigeria

This study examined the hydrochemistry of surface water along the River-Rima floodplain area. Five sampling locations were purposively selected, and, in each point, three samples were taken from surface water (river).The sampling was repeated after 20 days. Thus, a total of 30 samples werecollected. Water samples obtained were subjected to laboratory tests. Results revealed that BOD, TDS, Mg2+, and Fe3+ are above the World HealthOrganization (WHO) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) reference guidelines for drinking water quality. Isolates detected from the coliform bacteriological analysis include Enterobacter aerogene, Escherichiacoli, and Citrobacter freundii with most of the samples showing coliform bacteria growth above the SON standard for drinking water. Hence, the water in the River-Rima floodplain of the Wamakko area is of low quality and unsafe for drinking. Results of principal component analysis (PCA)revealed external influences such as pollutant wash off and rock weatheringas controls on hydrochemistry of surface water. There is some indication of anthropogenic inputs (Cl- , NO3- , and PO4 2-) based on hierarchical cluster analysis. Elements including Cl-, NO3-, and PO42- are increasingly added into surface water from human activities, mainly agriculture, and municipal sewage.

Modelling the washoff of pollutants in various forms from an urban catchment

The exponential washoff model was originally developed based on observations of particulate pollutants, however, its applicability when applied to different forms of pollutants is not well understood. Data from a previous study of 6 stormwater pollutants from 126 events at 12 sites in Singapore was used for event based model parameter calibration using a Monte Carlo technique. The accuracy of the calibrated exponential washoff model was clearly best for particulate pollutant total suspended solids (TSS), and worst for dissolved pollutants Ortho-Phosphate (PO4), nitrate (NO3) and ammonium-nitrogen (NH4). Model accuracy for mixed forms of pollutants total Phosphorus (TP) and total Nitrogen (TN) were in between these two extremes. Relationships between model parameters with rainfall and flow characteristics were also investigated. Statistically significant relationships could only be found for TSS, where the total rainfall depth was identified as being the most significant variable to explain model parameter behaviour. Antecedent dry period (ADP) was shown to have little or no importance across all land uses and pollutant forms. The results showed that the model parameter behaviour could be explained only for particulate pollutants and small (≤10 ha) sub-catchments, and that replicating washoff of mixed or dissolved forms of pollutants as a fraction of solids is likely to lead to misleading results.

Characterization of wash-off from urban impervious surfaces and SuDS design criteria for source control under semi-arid conditions

Knowledge about pollutant wash-off from urban impervious surfaces is a key feature for developing effective management strategies. Accordingly, further information is required about urban areas under semi-arid climate conditions at the sub-catchment scale. This is important for designing source control systems for pollution. In this study, a characterization of pollutant wash-off has been performed over sixteen months, at the sub-catchment scale for urban roads as impervious surfaces. The study was conducted in Valencia, Spain, a city with a Mediterranean climate. The results show high event mean concentrations for suspended solids (98mg/l), organic matter (142mgCOD/l, 25mgBOD5/l), nutrients (3.7mgTN/l, 0.4mgTP/l), and metals (0.23, 0.32, 0.62 and 0.17mg/l for Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively). The results of the runoff characterization highlight the need to control this pollution at its source, separately from wastewater because of their different characteristics. The wash-off, defined in terms of mobilized mass (g/m2) fits well with both process-based and statistical models, with the runoff volume and rainfall depth being the main explanatory variables. Based on these results and using information collected from hydrographs and pollutographs, an approach for sizing sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), focusing on water quality and quantity variables, has been proposed. By setting a concentration-based target (TSS discharged to receiving waters <35mg/l), the results indicate that for a SuDS type detention basin (DB), an off-line configuration performs better than an on-line configuration. The resulting design criterion, expressed as SuDS volume per unit catchment area, assuming a DB type SuDS, varies between 7 and 10l/m2.

Experimental study of pollutant washoff on a full-scale street section physical model.

This study analyses the mobilization of total suspended solids (TSS) for different spatial distributions of sediment load located over the roadway surface of a full-scale street section physical model. At the sewer network outlet, flow discharges were measured and TSS pollutographs were determined with manual grab samples and inferred from turbidity records. In all the tests, the rain duration was 5 min and its averaged intensity was 101 mm/h. In addition, solids that were not washed off at the end of the experiments were collected from the street surface, gully pots and pipes and the mass balance error was checked. The experiments were configured to assess the influence of the initial load, spatial distribution method, distance from gully pot and distribution area dimensions on the TSS washoff. The study showed that sediment initial load and distribution cannot explain completely pollutant washoff processes because other variables such as the spatial rainfall distribution or the runoff depth also affect to the outlet pollutographs and system mass balances.

An Investigation of the Relationships between Rainfall Conditions and Pollutant Wash-Off from the Paved Road

Stormwater runoff monitoring was carried out from 2011 to 2015 to investigate the relationships between rainfall conditions (antecedent dry days (ADDs), rainfall intensity, depth and duration), and water quality parameters of stormwater from a paved road in Korea. Factor analysis suggested that the effect of rainfall conditions on the concentrations of selected pollutants varied depending on the pollutant. As total COD (total chemical oxygen demand) concentration increased, the level of heavy metals increased and resulted in a decrease of BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand) because of their toxicity. In addition, ADDs had a significant impact on the wash-off of solids from paved road. The predominant particles in stormwater were 30 μm and smaller, and increased in concentration as ADDs increased. Thus, the initial load of accumulated particles became a major factor in the wash-off process. The mass of particle-related pollutants was also subject to the effect of ADDs due to the affinity between pollutants and predominant particles (&lt;30 μm). However, the effect of ADDs on the mass of organic matter and nitrogen was relatively weak. ADDs contributed to the decrease of some pollutants by photo-oxidation, volatilization and natural decay over dry days, as well as desorption from solids during rainfall.

A multi criteria analog model for assessing the vulnerability of rural catchments to road spills of hazardous substances

Road spills of hazardous substances are common in developing countries due to increasing industrialization and traffic accidents, and represent a serious threat to soils and water in catchments. There is abundant literature on equations describing the wash-off of pollutants from roads during a storm event and there are a number of watershed models incorporating those equations in storm water quality algorithms that route runoff and pollution yields through a drainage system towards the catchment outlet. However, methods describing catchment vulnerability to contamination by road spills based solely on biophysical parameters are scarce. These methods could be particularly attractive to managers because they can operate with a limited amount of easily collectable data, while still being able to provide important insights on the areas more prone to contamination within the studied watershed. The purpose of this paper was then to contribute with a new vulnerability model. To accomplish the goal, a selection of medium properties appearing in wash-off equations and routing algorithms were assembled and processed in a parametric framework based on multi criteria analysis to define the watershed vulnerability. However, parameters had to be adapted because wash-off equations and water quality models have been developed to operate primarily in the urban environment while the vulnerability model is meant to run in rural watersheds. The selected parameters were hillside slope, ground roughness (depending on land use), soil permeability (depending on soil type), distance to water courses and stream density. The vulnerability model is a spatially distributed algorithm that was prepared to run under the IDRISI Selva software, a GIS platform capable of handling spatial and alphanumeric data and execute the necessary terrain model, hydrographic and thematic analyses. For illustrative purposes, the vulnerability model was applied to the legally protected Environmental Protection Area (APA), located in the Uberaba region, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In this region, the risk of accidents causing chemical spills is preoccupying because large quantities of dangerous materials are transported in two important distribution highways while the APA is fundamental for the protection of water resources, the riverine ecosystems and remnants of native vegetation. In some tested scenarios, model results show 60% of vulnerable areas within the studied area. The most sensitive parameter to vulnerability is soil type. To prevent soils from contamination, specific measures were proposed involving minimization of land use conflicts that would presumably raise the soil's organic matter and in the sequel restore the soil's structural functions. Additionally, the present study proposed the preservation and reinforcement of riparian forests as one measure to protect the quality of surface water.

Assessing the Effect of Uncertainties in Pollutant Wash-Off Dynamics in Stormwater Source-Control Systems Modeling: Consequences of Using an Inappropriate Error Model

This study investigates the effect of uncertainties associated with pollutant wash-off dynamics in the context of stormwater management practices modelling. A formal Bayesian approach is adopted for the calibration and the uncertainty analysis of a commonly used wash-off model, under (1) the unverified assumption of homoscedastic, independent and normally distributed residuals and (2) using a more correct heteroscedastic and autoregressive error model. The results obtained for each of these approaches are compared and the uncertainty associated with water quality modelling is later propagated through a conceptual Best Management Practices (BMP) model, for various stormwater management scenarios, so as to assess the effect of this uncertainty for BMP modelling and clarify the benefits of a robust description of error structure. This study indicates that the violation of the statistical asumptions about the residuals may result in unreliable estimation of model parameters and total predictive uncertainty. The effect of the uncertainty in the intra-event variability of concentations in runoff is however found to have only a limited effect on the outputs of the BMP model, regadless of the error model adopted for calibration.

Effects of Rainfall Intensity and Duration on the First Flush from Parking Lots

Urban stormwater with large impervious (paved) areas often produces runoff with a variety of contaminants. Although southern California is among the most urbanized coastal areas in the United States, the effect of rainfall variations on washoff efficiency of contaminants from pervious and impervious surfaces is largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of varying rainfall intensities and duration on runoff composition from highly impervious parking lots. In order to control the tremendous natural variability in precipitation of the arid climate in southern California, rainfall simulators were used to generate and quantify pollutant washoff at changing intensities and durations. Washoff of suspended solids, total and dissolved trace metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was strongly inversely correlated with rainfall duration. Rainfall intensity only affected washoff at the smallest measured duration; higher intensities produced decreased concentrations. The effect of rainfall duration was a reflection of the first flush observed in pollutographs for every duration and intensity sampled. Peak concentrations, up to an order of magnitude higher than concentrations later in the event, occurred during the first 10 min after the onset of rainfall. Longer simulated storms effectively diluted the first flush.

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) ON SURFACE RUNOFF AND TSS IN A CALIBRATED HYDRODYNAMIC MODEL

The land development and increase in urbanization in a watershed affect water quantity and water quality. On one hand, urbanization provokes the adjustment of geomorphic structure of the streams, ultimately raises peak flow rate which causes flood; on the other hand, it diminishes water quality which results in an increase in Total Suspended Solid (TSS). Consequently, sediment accumulation in downstream of urban areas is observed which is not preferred for longer life of dams. In order to overcome the sediment accumulation problem in dams, the amount of TSS in streams and in watersheds should be taken under control. Low Impact Development (LID) is a Best Management Practice (BMP) which may be used for this purpose. It is a land planning and engineering design method which is applied in managing storm water runoff in order to reduce flooding as well as simultaneously improve water quality. LID includes techniques to predict suspended solid loads in surface runoff generated over impervious urban surfaces. In this study, the impact of LID-BMPs on surface runoff and TSS is investigated by employing a calibrated hydrodynamic model for Sazlıdere Watershed which is located in Istanbul, Turkey. For this purpose, a calibrated hydrodynamic model was developed by using Environmental Protection Agency Storm Water Management Model (EPA SWMM). For model calibration and validation, we set up a rain gauge and a flow meter into the field and obtain rainfall and flow rate data. And then, we select several LID types such as retention basins, vegetative swales and permeable pavement and we obtain their influence on peak flow rate and pollutant buildup and washoff for TSS. Consequently, we observe the possible effects of LID on surface runoff and TSS in Sazlıdere Watershed.

Influence of uncertainty inherent to heavy metal build-up and wash-off on stormwater quality

Uncertainty inherent to heavy metal build-up and wash-off stems from process variability. This results in inaccurate interpretation of stormwater quality model predictions. The research study has characterised the variability in heavy metal build-up and wash-off processes based on the temporal variations in particle-bound heavy metals commonly found on urban roads. The study outcomes found that the distribution of Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were consistent over particle size fractions <150 μm and >150 μm, with most metals concentrated in the particle size fraction <150 μm. When build-up and wash-off are considered as independent processes, the temporal variations in these processes in relation to the heavy metals load are consistent with variations in the particulate load. However, the temporal variations in the load in build-up and wash-off of heavy metals and particulates are not consistent for consecutive build-up and wash-off events that occur on a continuous timeline. These inconsistencies are attributed to interactions between heavy metals and particulates <150 μm and >150 μm, which are influenced by particle characteristics such as organic matter content. The behavioural variability of particles determines the variations in the heavy metals load entrained in stormwater runoff. Accordingly, the variability in build-up and wash-off of particle-bound pollutants needs to be characterised in the description of pollutant attachment to particulates in stormwater quality modelling. This will ensure the accounting of process uncertainty, and thereby enhancing the interpretation of the outcomes derived from modelling studies.

A Rationale for Pollutograph Evaluation in Ungauged Areas, Using Daily Rainfall Patterns: Case Studies of the Apulian Region in Southern Italy

In the context of the implementation of sustainable water treatment technologies for soil pollution prevention, a methodology that try to overcome the lack of runoff quality data in Puglia (Southern Italy) is firstly tackled in this paper. It provides a tool to obtain total suspended solid (TSS) pollutographs in areas without availability of monitoring campaigns. The proposed procedure is based on the relationship between rainfall characteristics and pollutant wash-off. In particular, starting from the evaluation of the observed regional rainfall patterns by using a rainfall generator model, the storm water management model (SWMM) was applied on five case studies located in different climatic subareas. The quantity SWMM parameters were evaluated starting from the drainage network and catchments characteristics, while the quality parameters were obtained from results of a monitoring campaign conducted for quality model calibration and validation with reference to the pollutograph’s shape and the peak-time. The research yields a procedure useful to evaluate the first flush phenomenon in ungauged sites and, in particular, it provides interesting information for designing efficient and sustainable drainage systems for first flush treatment and diffuse pollution treatment.

Influence of rainfall characteristics on pollutant wash-off for road catchments in urban Shanghai

The influence of different rainfall characteristics on pollutant wash-off was investigated in stormwater runoff from three road surfaces in a highly urbanized area of Shanghai, China. The relationships between rainfall characteristics and pollutant wash-off were analyzed using sectional analysis, an innovative concept of using sector parameters to investigate the relationship between the pollutant wash-off process and different sectors of the runoff hydrograph and rainfall hyetograph. Results indicated that the rainfall intensity of the initial phase of a rainfall event was critical to the magnitude of the first flush. Rainfall duration and the antecedent dry period also influenced pollutant load washed-off during intermediate and final phases of a rainfall event. No influence of rainfall depth on first flush was observed. Several rainfall characteristics played important roles in pollutant wash-off processes. These findings are critical for designing and implementing low impact development practices.

Caracterização do carreamento de poluentes de superfícies asfálticas urbanas utilizando chuva simulada

The wash-off of pollutants from asphaltic surfaces by runoff is one of the main sources of water quality degradation in urban water bodies. However, little is known about the potential of these pollutants to be transported by runoff. In this regard, this research aims tocharacterize the runoff water and quantifying the mass of washed-off pollutants from asphaltic surfaces relating it with rainfall intensity and traffic load. Therefore, three streets with different traffic loads have been selected.in the city of Goiânia, Goias, Brazil. Over an asphaltic surface of 3 m2 two 15 minutes duration rainfall events were simulated (115 and 25mm/h) considered of high and low intensity. Water samples were collected every 3 minutes interval by means of a collecting system (frame, collecting tray and vacuuming system) and analyzed according to its contents of TSS, TDS, COD, conductivity, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe and Mn. Rainfall and flowrate were measured by the volumetric method. Results show that all the analyzed parameters, except for Cr, have been detected in the runoff of all three studied areas. Generally, greater washed-off masses of Fe > Mn ≈ Zn > Pb ≈Cu > Cdwere found, listed in decreasing order of magnitude. Regards to the influence of rainfall, it has been noticed that the greater the rainfall intensity the greater the washed-off mass of solids and metals. However, no clear relationship has been found between the traffic load and the washed-off mass of metals

Build-up and wash-off dynamics of atmospherically derived Cu, Pb, Zn and TSS in stormwater runoff as a function of meteorological characteristics

Atmospheric pollutants deposited on impermeable surfaces can be an important source of pollutants to stormwater runoff; however, modelling atmospheric pollutant loads in runoff has rarely been done, because of the challenges and uncertainties in monitoring their contribution. To overcome this, impermeable concrete boards (≈1m2) were deployed for 11months in different locations within an urban area (industrial, residential and airside) throughout Christchurch, New Zealand, to capture spatially distributed atmospheric deposition loads in runoff over varying meteorological conditions. Runoff was analysed for total and dissolved Cu, Zn, Pb, and total suspended solids (TSS). Mixed-effect regression models were developed to simulate atmospheric pollutant loads in stormwater runoff. In addition, the models were used to explain the influence of different meteorological characteristics (e.g. antecedent dry days and rain depth) on pollutant build-up and wash-off dynamics. The models predicted approximately 53% to 69% of the variation in pollutant loads and were successful in predicting pollutant–load trends over time which can be useful for general stormwater planning processes. Results from the models illustrated the importance of antecedent dry days on pollutant build-up. Furthermore, results indicated that peak rainfall intensity and rain duration had a significant relationship with TSS and total Pb, whereas, rain depth had a significant relationship with total Cu and total Zn. This suggested that the pollutant speciation phase plays an important role in surface wash-off. Rain intensity and duration had a greater influence when the pollutants were predominantly in their particulate phase. Conversely, rain depth exerted a greater influence when a high fraction of the pollutants were predominantly in their dissolved phase. For all pollutants, the models were represented by a log–arctan relationship for pollutant build-up and a log–log relationship for pollutant wash-off. The modelling approach enables the site-specific relationships between individual pollutants and rainfall characteristics to be investigated.

Sectional analysis of the pollutant wash-off process based on runoff hydrograph

The validity of using rainfall characteristics as lumped parameters for investigating the pollutant wash-off process such as first flush occurrence is questionable. This research study introduces an innovative concept of using sector parameters to investigate the relationship between the pollutant wash-off process and different sectors of the runoff hydrograph and rainfall hyetograph. The research outcomes indicated that rainfall depth and rainfall intensity are two key rainfall characteristics which influence the wash-off process compared to the antecedent dry period. Additionally, the rainfall pattern also plays a critical role in the wash-off process and is independent of the catchment characteristics. The knowledge created through this research study provides the ability to select appropriate rainfall events for stormwater quality treatment design based on the required treatment outcomes such as the need to target different sectors of the runoff hydrograph or pollutant species. The study outcomes can also contribute to enhancing stormwater quality modelling and prediction in view of the fact that conventional approaches to stormwater quality estimation is primarily based on rainfall intensity rather than considering other rainfall parameters or solely based on stochastic approaches irrespective of the characteristics of the rainfall event.

A high resolution application of a stormwater management model (SWMM) using genetic parameter optimization

Low Impact Development (LID) tools and green infrastructure approaches have been developed and applied to mitigate the urbanization impacts on increasing runoff and pollutant washoff. The present work is the first part of a larger effort to simulate LID scenarios for a large scale urban catchment through up-scaling of high-resolution study catchments using the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM). In this study we present the setup, calibration, validation, and the results of a parameter sensitivity analysis of a high-resolution SWMM model for a highly urbanized small catchment located in Southern Finland. The homogenous subcatchments and associated narrow parameter boundaries, which are allowed by the high spatial resolution, result in insensitivity of SWMM to the fraction of impervious cover. The model optimization, using only the two identified key parameters “depression storage” and “Manning's roughness n for conduit flow”, yielded good performance statistics for both calibration and validation of the model.