Stormwater Retention Ponds Research Articles

A new water column profiler for shallow aquatic systems

Coupled physical and biogeochemical processes in shallow (<2 m deep) productive systems must be observed on fine temporal and spatial scales with automated sampling and monitoring devices. We developed a pump profiler system that can sample six to eight depths at 10-cm resolution every 30 min. The system is economical, secure from vandalism, portable, and capable of integration with a real-time remote monitoring system. Solenoid valves select the suction depth, and a diaphragm pump delivers water to a flow cell where temperature, oxygen, pH, specific conductivity, turbidity, oxidation reduction potential, and fluorescence are measured with probes mounted on a water quality sonde. A microcontroller is used to direct the operation of the system. Water column disturbance and maintenance requirements are minimized by eliminating exposed moving parts. The data can be retrieved remotely and graphically displayed on the Internet in real time. The system has been deployed successfully in two freshwater ponds and a tidal saltwater system. The pump profiler is used to study coupled physical biogeochemical processes in shallow systems with strong diel cycles and large density and chemical gradients. Applications may include studies in aquaculture ponds, storm water retention ponds, shallow lakes, and small estuaries.

Contaminant Exposure and Effects in Red-Winged Blackbirds Inhabiting Stormwater Retention Ponds

Stormwater wetlands are created to retain water from storms and snow melt to reduce sediment, nutrient, and contaminant pollution of natural waterways in metropolitan areas. However, they are often a source of attractive habitat to wetland-associated wildlife. In this study of 12 stormwater wetlands and a larger, older reference site, elevated concentrations of zinc and copper were found in sediments and carcasses of 8-day-old red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) nestlings inhabiting stormwater sites. Although nesting success in the stormwater wetlands was comparable to national averages, sediment zinc concentrations correlated with clutch size, hatching success, fledgling success, and Mayfield nest success, suggesting that the nestlings may have been stressed and impaired by elevated zinc. This stress may have been direct on the nestlings or indirect through effects on the availability of food organisms.

Metals in pond sediments as archives of anthropogenic activities: a study in response to health concerns

An environmental geochemistry approach was applied in response to health concerns about present day and past exposure to pollutants within Broome County, New York by determining historical records of anthropogenic activities as preserved in sediment cores. Sediment was collected from a stormwater retention pond adjacent to a warehouse complex in the urban community of Hillcrest as well as from 3 other ponds in rural locations in Broome County. Metal concentrations and decay products of 210Pb and 137Cs were measured to determine the timing of source specific differences in the distribution of metals in the sediment cores. Concentrations of Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd and As were elevated in the retention pond sediments when compared to sediment from other locations. Topography influenced atmospheric transport and deposition of pollutants within incised river valleys and enhanced runoff from impervious surfaces within an urban watershed contributed to the elevated metal concentrations at Hillcrest. Temporal changes in Pb deposition within retention pond sediment mimic the rise and fall in use of leaded gasoline. Arsenic concentrations decreased following placement of emission controls on nearby coal-fired power plant sources. Superimposed over the temporal trends of Pb and As are co-varying Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr and Cd concentrations; a suite of metals commonly used in metal plating processes by local industries. Analysis of sediment in stormwater retention ponds in other urban areas may provide opportunities for detailed records of pollution history to be obtained in many communities. Residents in urban communities located in incised river valley locations similar to Hillcrest may be particularly prone to enhanced exposure to metals from anthropogenic sources.

65 Nutrient responses of harmful algal blooms in south carolina brackish lagoonal systems

The widespread occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in South Carolina brackish lagoons has recently been documented. Over the last 2 years, dense blooms of raphidophytes, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria, and prymnesiophytes were commonly observed, mostly in storm water retention ponds associated with housing developments or golf courses. As part of an effort to understand the physiological ecology of these blooms, bioassays were performed testing the effects of nutrients on HAB population growth. The first bioassay was conducted on a mixed bloom of Heterosigma akashiwo and Chattonella verruculosa, and the second on a mixed bloom of Fibrocapsa japonica, Karlodinium micrum and C. verruculosa. The growth of all species but F. japonica could be stimulated by the addition of DIN or DON substrates, including nitrate, ammonium, urea, and glycine. F. japonica was only stimulated by the addition of a fertilizer (Miracle Grow™) or an inhibitor of photosynthesis (DCMU). Stimulation by the fertilizer, but not N or P substrates, suggests that this response was related to trace metal (e.g. Fe) use. Growth stimulation by DCMU may reflect a high heterotrophic capability or insensitivity of F. japonica's photosynthetic system to this inhibitor. The results suggest that the nutritional versatility of these species may contribute to their widespread occurrence and ability to form blooms in these low flow, nutrient‐ and organic‐rich systems. Also, the responses of F. japonica infer that contaminant loading (e.g. herbicides with similar effects as DCMU) should be considered as a selective factor in HAB initiation or maintenance.

Heavy metal contamination of sediments in stormwater management systems: the effect of land use, particle size, and age

Sediments from stormwater retention ponds, roadside swales and street sweepings have to be disposed of or reused periodically. Information on their pollution is needed to establish reuse and disposal regulations and to schedule clean out and street-sweeping activities. This study examines the heavy metal contamination in these sediments and the factors that affect this contamination. Results show that the particle size distribution of the sediments depends on differential erosion processes of natural soils, land use, and technical limitations of street sweepers. Pond and swale sediments are more polluted with heavy metals than natural soils, but street sweepings are not. This can be explained by the high clay contents of sediments in ponds and swales and the very low clay content of sweepings. Land use is an important factor for the heavy metal pollution of ponds and swales, but does not considerably affect heavy metals in street sweepings. Within a given type of land use, heavy metal concentrations in pond sediments increase with age.

NUTRIENT REMOVAL FROM A STORMWATER DETENTION POND USING DUCKWEED

Different species of Lemnaceae (duckweed) were grown in pure and mixed cultures to examine nutrient absorption capacity in a stormwater detention pond. The duckweed was grown in 0.4 m2 equilateral triangular floating Pens in a stormwater retention pond, which is part of a constructed wetland in Roseville, Minnesota. Both biomass productivity and nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) removal were measured for each species. It was concluded that: (1) monoculture Lemna minor consistently removed the largest amount of ammonia from stormwater and had the largest biomass density; and (2) a polyculture of Lemna minor and Spirodela polyrhiza was the most stable nutrient sink and removed the largest amount of phosphorus from stormwater in eight weeks.

Mutagenic potential of environmental samples before and after remediation of a solvent‐contaminated site

AbstractSoil, sediment, and paint sludge samples were collected during a 4‐year period from an abandoned solvent recovery site prior to and after site remediation. Samples were sequentially extracted with methylene chloride and methanol and redissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide for biological analysis. The mutagenic potential of the extracts was evaluated using the Salmonella/microsome assay with and without metabolic activation. Noncontaminated background soil samples collected off‐site induced specific mutagenic activities that ranged from below detection to 28 net revertants per milligram of residue. Although several sludge samples induced specific activities that were relatively low, the maximum mutagenic response induced by a sludge sample was 1,258 net revertants per milligram of residue. Compared to background soil, elevated levels of mutagenic activity were also detected in the extracts of several samples collected from a drainage area downgradient from the waste storage pad and in the extract of sediment samples from a downgradient storm‐water retention pond. The weighted activity of the noncontaminated background soil samples ranged from below detection to 15 revertants per gram of soil. The combined weighted activity of the sludge sample extracts ranged from below detection to 43,567 revertants per gram. The combined weighted activity of the extracts of samples collected after site remediation ranged from below detection to 1,273 revertants per gram. A visual inspection of the site following remediation suggested that all obvious signs of chemical contamination had been removed. However, the results from biological analysis indicate that soil collected following site remediation induced a weighted activity more than 30 times the maximum weighted activity observed in the noncontaminated background soil. These data suggest that additional site remediation is required if the genotoxic potential of soil is to be reduced to levels approximating those of noncontaminated background soil.

Use of toxicity identification evaluation procedures in the assessment of sediment pore water toxicity from an urban stormwater retention pond in Madison, Wisconsin

Use of toxicity identification evaluation procedures in the assessment of sediment pore water toxicity from an urban stormwater retention pond in Madison, Wisconsin

Design and Analysis of Stormwa Ter Retention Ponds Based on Water Quality Objectives

Design and Analysis of Stormwa Ter Retention Ponds Based on Water Quality Objectives

Wildlife in Urban Landscapes: Use of Golf Course Ponds by Wetlands Birds

This document describes the numbers and types of wetland-dependent birds, collectively referred to as “waterbirds,” recorded using golf course ponds during a study of 183 ponds on 12 golf courses over a 2-year period in Southwest Florida. We also provide recommendations based on this study that can be implemented to improve habitat on golf course and stormwater retention ponds for waterbirds. This document is WEC 188, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida. Publication date: December 2004.&#x0D; WEC 188/UW207: Wildlife in Urban Landscapes: Use of Golf Course Ponds by Wetlands Birds (ufl.edu)