Urban Non-point Source Research Articles

Snowmelt Runoff: A New Focus of Urban Nonpoint Source Pollution

Irregular precipitation associated with global climate change had been causing various problems in urban regions. Besides the runoff due to rainfall in summer, the snowmelt runoff in early spring could also play an important role in deteriorating the water quality of the receiving waters. Due to global climate change, the snowfall has increased gradually in individual regions, and snowstorms occur more frequently, which leads to an enhancement of snowmelt runoff flow during the melting seasons. What is more, rivers just awaking from freezing cosntitute a frail ecosystem, with poor self-purification capacity, however, the urban snowmelt runoff could carry diverse pollutants accumulated during the winter, such as coal and/or gas combustion products, snowmelting agents, automotive exhaust and so on, which seriously threaten the receiving water quality. Nevertheless, most of the research focused on the rainfall runoff in rainy seasons, and the study on snowmelt runoff is still a neglected field in many countries and regions. In conclusion, due to the considerable water quantity and the worrisome water quality, snowmelt runoff in urban regions with large impervious surface areas should be listed among the important targets in urban nonpoint source pollution management and control.

Characterization of runoff from various urban catchments at different spatial scales in Beijing, China

In order to investigate the characterization of runoff in storm sewer from various urban catchments, three monitoring systems at different spatial scales have been installed separately. They have been held since July 2010 in urban area of Beijing (China). The monitoring data revealed that chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and NH(3)-N values significantly exceed the Class V surface water quality standard developed by Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China (MEP). A surface solids buildup and wash off model for small watershed was adopted to analyze and discuss the process of a runoff pollutant discharge. More than a half of pollutant parameters presented a good fit to the model. However, a slightly worse-fit to the wash off model appeared in less than half of the data. Due to the influence of sewer sediments, sewer system characteristics, catchment characteristics, and other reasons, first flush was seldom observed in storm sewer runoff from these three survey areas. Meanwhile, the correlation between TSS and any other pollutant was analyzed according to cumulative load of pollutants in runoff events. An event mean concentrations (EMCs) approach was adopted to quantify the pollution of runoff. EMCs of various pollutants in storm sewer runoff between different rainfall events were slightly higher than the typical values observed in similar areas at home and abroad, according to other studies reported in literature. Based on quantitative analysis, it can be concluded that urban non-point source pollution is recognized as the major causes of quality deterioration in the receiving water bodies. This is after the point source pollution has been controlled substantially in Beijing. An integrated strategy, which combines centralized and decentralized control, along with the conditions of meteorology, hydrology, urban planning, existing drainage system, etc., will be an effective and economic approach to urban runoff pollution control.

Toxicity of Chloride Under Winter Low-Flow Conditions in an Urban Watershed in Central Missouri, USA

Deicers such as sodium chloride and calcium chloride are used to treat snow and ice on road surfaces and have been identified as potential stressors on aquatic life. Hinkson Creek is an urban stream on the Missouri 303(d) list of impaired waters and is classified as impaired due to urban non-point source pollution. A 7-day toxicity test using Ceriodaphnia dubia was conducted to assess the toxicity of stream water during snowmelt at seven sites within the Hinkson Creek watershed. Chloride concentrations at two sites (Site 6, 1252 mg Cl/L; Site 4, 301 mg Cl/L) exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chronic criterion (230 mg Cl/L). Survival (30 %) and total reproduction (6.9 young/adult) of C. dubia at Site 6 was significantly lower than survival (100 %) and total reproduction (30.4 young/adult) at Site 1 (reference site). Results indicate that chloride concentrations are elevated above water-quality criteria and that chloride may be a significant chemical stressor for macroinvertebrate communities during winter low-flow conditions in the Hinkson Creek watershed.

绿色屋顶径流氮磷浓度分布及赋存形态

为了解绿色屋顶暴雨径流的氮磷浓度分布及赋存形态,在重庆大学构建了两种绿色屋顶,于2009年9月至2011年10月期间进行了绿色屋顶和对照屋面的暴雨径流水质监测。研究结果表明,绿色屋顶暴雨径流pH值在7.7左右,氨氮浓度满足地表水环境质量标准Ⅲ类标准;总氮、总磷、硝酸根的平均浓度分别为3.6-4.4 mg/L、0.17-0.28 mg/L和3.1-3.7 mg/L,均高于降雨雨水浓度;与对照屋面暴雨径流相比,同时期的绿色屋顶暴雨径流中总氮、氨氮和总磷浓度较低,而硝酸根、磷酸根浓度较高。绿色屋顶暴雨径流水质的季节差异明显,夏季污染物浓度较低,而春秋季节污染物浓度较高;总体上看,随绿色屋顶运行时间的延长,暴雨径流中总氮和硝酸根浓度逐渐降低,而总磷和磷酸盐浓度则呈现出一定的波动性。气象因素、降雨雨水水质与绿色屋顶暴雨径流水质的相关性分析表明,气温越高、前期干旱时间越长,越有利于绿色屋顶径流中氨氮浓度的降低;绿色屋顶径流中的总磷和氨氮主要来自降雨。研究结果为绿色屋顶的科学构建和城市暴雨径流管理提供了重要参考。;With the development of urbanization, urban nonpoint source pollution has become the main reason for deterioration of water quality in receiving water body. Green roof is one of the important technologies for controlling urban nonpoint source pollution, which has been taken as an important component of technical system in many advanced concepts for the management of urban stormwater runoff. Green roofs not only provide many general environmental and associated aesthetic, but also play an important role in increasing the green space in densely populated urban areas. So, with increasing of research interests in vegetated roof, more and more such installations are being built in urban regions. However, the water quality of runoff from green roof has been paid little attention so far, and always been consumed clean. Results from recent studies show that green roofs always become source of some pollutants, especially nitrogen and phosphor. The water quality of green roof runoff can be influenced by many factors, such as green roof media, plants vegetated, rainfall intensity, and so on. As long as the water quality issues remain outside the design phase, there is a large potential for green roofs to become pollution sources. So, it is very important to investigate runoff water quality from green roofs under different environment and installation methods. In this paper, in order to investigate the concentrations distribution and composition of nitrogen and phosphor in stormwater runoff from green roofs, two types of green roofs were constructed in Chongqing University and the water quality of storm runoff from them and the reference roof were monitored from September 2009 to October 2011. Results show that green roofs can improve pH of rainwater from 5.5 to 7.7, which indicates the rapid neutralization for the acid depositions and an environmental benefit in case roof runoff is directly discharged to natural water recipients. The concentrations of NH₃-N in runoff from green roof are lower than the value as requested in standard Ⅲ of Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water, so, nitrification occurs when rainwater flows through green roofs. The mean concentrations of TN, TP and NO₃^--N in storm runoff are 3.6-4.4mg/L, 0.17-0.28 mg/L and 3.1-3.7mg/L respectively, which are higher than that in rain water. Compared with the water quality of contemporaneous stormwater runoff from reference roof, the concentrations of TN, NH₃-N and TP in runoff from green roofs are lower relatively, while the concentrations of NO₃^--N and PO₄^3--P are higher. The water quality of stormwater runoff from green roofs varies significantly with seasons, which is better in summer and worse in spring and autumn. Overall, the concentrations of TN and NO₃^--N in runoff from green roofs decrease gradually when they are operated for long term, while that of TP and PO₄^3--P shows fluctuations. Analysis of Pearson correlations among meteorological factors indicates that the higher temperature and longer drying period, the more decrease of concentration of NH₃-N. The TP and NH₃-N of runoff in green roofs come from rain water primarily. This study can give an important reference for the construction of green roofs and the management of urban stormwater runoff.

Impacts of urbanization on groundwater quality and recharge in a semi-arid alluvial basin

► We sampled and analyzed groundwater wells previously analyzed for tritium in the late 1980s to early 1990s. ► We analyzed groundwater samples for tritium ( 3 H), helium-3 ( 3 H/ 3 He), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and water quality. ► 3 H– 3 He groundwater ages ranged from 22 years before 2009 to modern recharge. ► CFCs were anomalously high. ► Non-point source pollution in runoff and/or leaky infrastructure is the most plausible source of this contamination. The management of groundwater resources is paramount in semi-arid regions experiencing urban development. In the southwestern United States, enhancing recharge of urban storm runoff has been identified as a strategy for augmenting groundwater resources. An understanding of how urbanization may impact the timing of groundwater recharge and its quality is a prerequisite for mitigating water scarcity and identifying vulnerability to contamination. We sampled groundwater wells along the Rillito Creek in southern Arizona that had been previously analyzed for tritium in the late 1980s to early 1990s and analyzed samples for tritium ( 3 H) and helium-3 ( 3 H/ 3 He) to evaluate changes in 3 H and age date groundwaters. Groundwater samples were also analyzed for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and basic water quality metrics. Substantial changes in 3 H values from waters sampled in the early 1990s compared to 2009 were identified after accounting for radioactive decay and indicate areas of rapid recharge. 3 H– 3 He groundwater ages ranged from 22 years before 2009 to modern recharge. CFC-11, -12 and -113 concentrations were anomalously high across the basin, and non-point source pollution in runoff and/or leaky infrastructure was identified as the most plausible source of this contamination. CFCs were strongly and positively correlated to nitrate ( r 2 = 0.77) and a mobile trace metal, nickel ( r 2 = 0.71), suggesting that solutes were derived from a similar source. Findings from this study suggest new waters from urban non-point sources are contributing to groundwater recharge and adversely affecting water quality. Reducing delivery of contaminants to areas of focused recharge will be critical to protect future groundwater resources.

Mechanism Analysis and Experimental Research on the Interception of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Pollutants by Gullies in Northern China

The discharge of urban sewage and agricultural non-point source pollutants is the main reason causing eutrophication in gullies in most cities of northern China. Based on a careful analysis on the ecological structure and ecological characteristics of a gully, this article preliminarily studies the interception and degradation mechanisms of nitrogen pollutants by the gully. Meanwhile, to take gullies in Changchun as the object of the study, this article carries out an experiment on the interception effect of nitrogen pollutants by gullies. This experiment respectively establishes a control section in the upper and lower reaches of a gully, and takes water samples four times in each section from May to August to determine total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and salinity. The result shows: the gully plays some role in the interception of pollutants; total phosphorus accounts for the largest interception in pollutants in the experimented gully section, with the relative interception rate of 27.46%, followed by ammonia nitrogen, with the interception rate of 21.80%, which is the result of the combined effects of aquatic plants, microorganisms and sediment in the gully.

Urban nonpoint source pollution buildup and washoff models for simulating storm runoff quality in the Los Angeles County

Many urban nonpoint source pollution models utilize pollutant buildup and washoff functions to simulate storm runoff quality of urban catchments. In this paper, two urban pollutant washoff load models are derived using pollutant buildup and washoff functions. The first model assumes that there is no residual pollutant after a storm event while the second one assumes that there is always residual pollutant after each storm event. The developed models are calibrated and verified with observed data from an urban catchment in the Los Angeles County. The application results show that the developed model with consideration of residual pollutant is more capable of simulating nonpoint source pollution from urban storm runoff than that without consideration of residual pollutant. For the study area, residual pollutant should be considered in pollutant buildup and washoff functions for simulating urban nonpoint source pollution when the total runoff volume is less than 30 mm.

Management practices for the amelioration of urban stormwater

Urban runoff has been identified as a non-point source (NPS) contributor. The most effective mechanism for controlling urban NPS pollution is to reduce the amount of runoff through infiltration and storage on the landscape. Traditional infiltration best management practices (BMPs) have lacked long-term effectiveness because of clogging. The addition of vegetation to the system enhances the longevity of infiltration BMPs by enhancing soil structure. In order to better understand the design and function of vegetated, infiltration-based BMPs, Kansas State University is monitoring several sites in Kansas. Results indicate that vegetation enhances the ability of stormwater systems to store water and reduce down channel erosion and flooding.

Grain size distribution of road-deposited sediment and its contribution to heavy metal pollution in urban runoff in Beijing, China

Pollutant washoff from road-deposited sediment (RDS) is an increasing problem associated with the rapid urbanization of China that results in urban non-point source pollution. Here, we analyzed the RDS grain size distribution and its potential impact on heavy metal pollution in urban runoff from impervious surfaces of urban villages, colleges and residences, and main traffic roads in the Haidian District, Beijing, China. RDS with smaller grain size had a higher metal concentration. Specifically, particles with the smallest grain size (<44 μm) had the highest metal concentration in most areas (unit: mg/kg): Cd 0.28–1.31, Cr 57.9–154, Cu 68.1–142, Ni 25.8–78.0, Pb 73.1–222 and Zn 264–664. Particles with smaller grain size (<250 μm) contributed more than 80% of the total metal loads in RDS washoff, while suspended solids with a grain size <44 μm in runoff water accounted for greater than 70% of the metal mass in the total suspended solids (TSS). The heavy metal content in the TSS was 2.21–6.52% of that in the RDS. These findings will facilitate our understanding of the importance of RDS grain size distribution in heavy metal pollution caused by urban storm runoff.

Characteristics of Non-Point Pollution from Road Surface Runoff

Pollutants from urban pavement consists various kinds of substances which are originated from dry deposition, a grind out tire, corrosive action of rain to pavement and facilities and raw materials of the road etc.. These are major pollutants of urban NPS (Non-point source) during rainfall period. However there is not enough information to control such pollutants for appropriate management of natural water quality. In this study of transportation areas, three monitoring stations were set up at trunk road, urban highway and national road in Gyeongnam province. Runoff flow rate was measured at every 15minutes by automatic flow meters installed at the end of storm sewer pipe within the road catchment area for water quality analysis. Data was collected every 15 minutes for initial two hours of rainfall. Additional samples were collected 1-4 hours interval till the end of rainfall. The monitoring parameters were CODMn, SS, T-N & T-P and heavy metals. The average EMCs of TSS and CODMn were 62.0 mg/L and 24.2 mg/L on the city trunk road, which were higher than those of urban highway and national road, indicating higher pollutant loads due to activities in the city downtown area beside the vehicle. On the other hand, the average EMC of T-N and T-P were in the range of 2.67-3.23 mg/L and 0.19-3.21 mg/L for all the sampling sites. Heavy metals from the roads were mainly Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn, showing variable EMCs by the type of road. From the TSS wash-off analysis in terms of FF(first flush) index, first flush phenomenon was clearly observed in the trunk road(FF : 0.89-1.43). However, such mass delivery behavior was not apparently shown in urban highway(FF : 0.90-1.11) and national road(FF : 0.81-1.41).

An evaluation of nutrient nonpoint offset trading in Virginia: A role for agricultural nonpoint sources?

Many advocates of water quality trading in the United States frequently assume that agricultural nonpoint sources will be the primary trading partner for regulated point sources. Virginia requires regulated point sources to offset new nutrient discharges. Nutrient offsets generated by agricultural nonpoint source reductions are compared against urban nonpoint source and nutrient assimilation offsets. Evidence suggests that agricultural nonpoint source offsets may not be a technically feasible or particularly cost effective compliance option for regulated point sources.

Field Applications of Urban Non-Point Source Pollutant Reducing Treatment System with the Expanded Polypropylene(EPP) Media for Treating PAHs from Road Runoff

Since the non point source is unspecified and estimating the degree of occurrence or identifying causing factors are difficult, it is not easy to control. Road runoff is considered a major source of pollution in developed urban sites. Road surfaces accumulate significant quantities of pollutants including nutrients, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs). Many studies have characterized the constituents of stormwater. These constituents include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs). Urban non-point source pollutant reducing treatment System is a part of the road runoff treatment which expanded polypropylene(EPP) media with a large surface area to treating the first flush of stormwater from road in field. Urban non-point source pollutant reducing treatment System consist of a container, a total 8.89m2 volume(3.6m(L), 1.3m(W), 1.9m(H)) which is made up of two element; sedimentation chamber of storage tank and filter tank. Under the operating conditions with 0.55h hydraulic retention time(HRT) and a capable of treating a maximum road runoff of 9.5m3/hr, the mean residual total PAHs were 0.699~1.339 µg /L and the percentage mean removal values were 61.4~69.7%, respectively.

Modeling Phosphorus in the Lake Allatoona Watershed Using SWAT: II. Effect of Land Use Change

Lake Allatoona is a large reservoir northeast of metropolitan Atlanta, GA, threatened by excessive algal growth. We used the calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models developed in our companion paper to estimate the annual P load to Lake Allatoona in 1992 and in 2001 after significant changes occurred in land use. Land use data in 1992 and 2001 from the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium showed that forest land use decreased during this period by about 20%, urban land use increased by about 225%, and pasture land uses increased by about 50%. Simulation results showed that the P load to Lake Allatoona increased from 176.5 to 207.3 Mg, which were 87.8% and 103.1%, respectively, of the total P (TP) annual cap (201 Mg) set by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) for discharge into Lake Allatoona. In the early 1990s, the greatest sources of the TP load to Lake Allatoona (and their percentages of the total load) were pasture (33.6%), forest (27.5%), and point sources (25.0%). Urban land uses contributed about 6.0% and row-crop agriculture contributed about 6.8%. A decade later, the greatest two TP sources were pasture (52.7%) and urban (20.9%) land uses. Point-source P loads decreased significantly to 11.6%. Permit limits on poultry processing plants reduced the point-source P loads, but increasing urban and pasture land uses increased nonpoint sources of P. To achieve further reductions in the P load to Lake Allatoona, contributions from pasture and urban nonpoint sources will need to be addressed.

Perspectives on the eutrophication of the Yahara lakes

Eutrophication of the four Yahara lakes—Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa—near Madison, Wisconsin, has been dramatic since the mid-1800s. For Lake Mendota, the erosion of sediments from higher water levels established by the damming of the lake's outlet, plus the agricultural expansion of its watershed, resulted in blue-green algal growths. These impacts, however, were dwarfed by water quality problems stemming from Madison's wastewater inputs that directly entered Lake Monona from the late 1800s through 1936, and then Lake Waubesa until 1958. Blue-green algal blooms were so bad in the lower Yahara lakes that the Madison Public Health Department conducted major copper sulfate treatments during 1925–1954. During the wastewater input years, inorganic nitrogen (N) and especially dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentrations in the surface waters were very high (particularly in Waubesa and Kegonsa), indicating neither nutrient was limiting algal growth. No P legacy from the wastewater inputs was found in Waubesa and Kegonsa's sediments; minimal P-binding potential due to low iron (Fe) availability is the hypothesized reason. Mendota's algal blooms were not a problem until the mid-1940s when wastewater inputs from upstream communities increased as well as the agricultural use of N and P fertilizers. This increase in eutrophication symptoms coincided with an increase in indices of DRP and inorganic N concentrations in the lake. After wastewater diversion in 1971, blue-green algal blooms persisted in Lake Mendota, and the onus of the problem shifted to agricultural and urban nonpoint source pollution. While much progress has been made in recent years to control these pollution sources to Mendota, manure runoff during late winter continues as a management problem. As evidence, P loadings during January to March constituted 48% of total loadings measured for 1990–2006 in the Yahara River subwatershed. Much of this runoff P was dissolved and not associated with high sediment loads, whereas during other months, more of the runoff P was bound to sediments that could settle out in lower stream reaches prior to entering the lake. However, low P-binding potential of recently deposited sediments in Mendota along with signs of water quality improvements following periods of drought indicate the lake could respond rapidly to nutrient input reductions. Finally, DRP and inorganic N concentrations since 1980 have indicated that algal growth in the Yahara lakes during July–August may have been limited by not only P, but N (especially in the lower Yahara lakes). Aggressive programs to reduce inputs from both nutrients will be important to prevent scum-forming blue-green algal blooms and filamentous algal growths that could become problematic once zebra mussels become established in the Yahara lakes.

Effects of Impervious Cover at Multiple Spatial Scales on Coastal Watershed Streams1

Abstract: The spatial scale and location of land whose development has the strongest influence on aquatic ecosystems must be known to support land use decisions that protect water resources in urbanizing watersheds. We explored impacts of urbanization on streams in the West River watershed, New Haven, Connecticut, to identify the spatial scale of watershed imperviousness that was most strongly related to water chemistry, macroinvertebrates, and physical habitat. A multiparameter water quality index was used to characterize regional urban nonpoint source pollution levels. We identified a critical level of 5% impervious cover, above which stream health declined. Conditions declined with increasing imperviousness and leveled off in a constant state of impairment at 10%. Instream variables were most correlated (0.77 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.92, p &lt; 0.0125) to total impervious area (TIA) in the 100‐m buffer of local contributing areas (∼5‐km2 drainage area immediately upstream of each study site). Water and habitat quality had a relatively consistent strong relationship with TIA across each of the spatial scales of investigation, whereas macroinvertebrate metrics produced noticeably weaker relationships at the larger scales. Our findings illustrate the need for multiscale watershed management of aquatic ecosystems in small streams flowing through the spatial hierarchies that comprise watersheds with forest‐urban land use gradients.

Dry Weather Water Quality Loadings in Arid, Urban Watersheds of the Los Angeles Basin, California, USA1

Abstract: Dry weather runoff in arid, urban watersheds may consist entirely of treated wastewater effluent and/or urban nonpoint source runoff, which can be a source of bacteria, nutrients, and metals to receiving waters. Most studies of urban runoff focus on stormwater, and few have evaluated the relative contribution and sources of dry weather pollutant loading for a range of constituents across multiple watersheds. This study assessed dry weather loading of nutrients, metals, and bacteria in six urban watersheds in the Los Angeles region of southern California to estimate relative sources of each constituent class and the proportion of total annual load that can be attributed to dry weather discharge. In each watershed, flow and water quality were sampled from storm drain and treated wastewater inputs, as well as from in‐stream locations during at least two time periods. Data were used to calculate mean concentrations and loads for various sources. Dry weather loads were compared with modeled wet weather loads under a range of annual rainfall volumes to estimate the relative contribution of dry weather load. Mean storm drain flows were comparable between all watersheds, and in all cases, approximately 20% of the flowing storm drains accounted for 80% of the daily volume. Wastewater reclamation plants (WRP) were the main source of nutrients, storm drains accounted for almost all the bacteria, and metals sources varied by constituent. In‐stream concentrations reflected major sources, for example nutrient concentrations were highest downstream of WRP discharges, while in‐stream metals concentrations were highest downstream of the storm drains with high metals loads. Comparison of wet vs. dry weather loading indicates that dry weather loading can be a significant source of metals, ranging from less than 20% during wet years to greater than 50% during dry years.

Study on Management and Control of Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Surface Runoff

Abstract Urbanization is the dominant form of land-use change in terms of impacts on water quality, hydrology, physical properties of watersheds and their nonpoint source (NPS) pollution potential at present. Urbanization has changed the source, process and sink of urban NPS pollution, especially raised the pollution load of urban runoff NPS in receiving water. Urban runoff pollution is a hot spot of research on NPS. This paper analyzed type, source and harm of the NPS pollutants of urban runoff and its influence on the receiving water. Through estimating NPS pollution load of urban runoff and summarizing the law and characteristics of urban runoff NPS systemically, study on management and control of urban runoff NPS pollution was focused on the application of BMPs (best management practices). It is a fresh methodology that management and control on NPS pollution from urban surface runoff was analyzed by methods of landscape ecology, environmental economics and environmental management. The paper provided a scientific reference for mitigating urban water environment pressure and an effective method for management and control of NPS pollution from urban surface runoff.

Application of mulch for treating metals in urban runoff: batch and column test

Among the many methods available for the removal of heavy metals in urban nonpoint source pollution (NSP), adsorption has been shown to be an economically feasible alternative. To adsorb the amount of heavy metals in runoff, filtration of runoff through a specially constructed filter system is one possible treatment method. The mulch layer in a specially constructed filter system functions through adsorptive-filtration, where some pollutants are immobilised through sorption and some pollutants associated with suspended solids are immobilised through filtration. Therefore, the major interest of this study was to investigate the possibility of utilising mulch for the adsorption of heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead and zinc for a solution typical of those found in urban runoff using the flask-type adsorption batch tests and laboratory column tests. From the equilibrium sorption batch tests, it was observed that the adsorption of heavy metals on mulch with the same initial concentrations of metals in the solution decreased in the order Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Cd(II) regardless of changes in pH. In column tests, the breakthrough curves for various heavy metals' adsorption by mulch showed that the binding strength of the following metal ions onto mulch was as follows: Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Cd(II).

Application of Media Manufactural by Waste Plastic to Stormwater Treatment in Urban Drainage System

While more attention has been paid in recent years to urban point source pollution control, no considerable measures have been taken to control urban non-point source pollution. Contaminants from non-point sources deposited on urban impermeable surfaces such as road and highway are easily released to the public waters by rainfall, leading to the deterioration in water quality in urban area. Experiments were performed using a reactor and real rainwater runoff obtained from road surfaces at various pollutant loading and rainfall intensity to determine the criteria for the first flush rainwater and to evaluate the applicability of the reactor for treating road runoff. The results at different rainfall intensities show that the medium PPB is superior to the other media for water permeability. PPB was not blocked at 10 mm/hr rainfall, and its permeability was stable. On the other hand, PVS and PPF resulted in a substantial overflow ratio even at 1 mm/hr rainfall intensity. Comparison of treatment efficiencies for suspended solids showed that all media showed similar removal efficiency ranging from 91% to 95%. However, PPB seems to be better than the other media considering its higher water permeability. PPB and PPF, both hydrophobic, yielded over 76% of heavy metal removal. But the hydrophilic media PVS showed much smaller removal efficiency ranging from 26% to 47%. The treatment efficiencies over PAHs (Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons) showed the similar removal efficiency ranging from 66% to 97% for all three media. In this study a reactor using filter media was investigated to reduce the level of contamination in urban road runoff.

Genotoxicity and toxicity assessment in urban hydrographic basins

The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of water in small urban basins was evaluated by the Salmonella/microsome assay and micronucleus test in V79 cells. The results showed that the cytotoxic effect was the most significant response in areas with medium to heavy urban occupation for both assays evaluated. Water samples from these areas include different concentrations of chloroform, bromodichloromethane, toluene, ethylbenzene, m, p-xylene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene. As to genotoxic damage, the presence of mainly direct-acting frameshift mutagens was detected in areas with less urban concentration and showed genotoxic activity in V79 cells in more heavily urbanized areas. Water organic extracts, evaluated using a microsuspension procedure, showed frameshift mutagenic activity in the presence of hepatic metabolization that increased as the population density grow. Chronic toxicity studies of sediment samples with the microcrustacean Daphnia magna showed that, while survival was not highly affected, reproductive inhibition was found in 92% of the observations. A retrospective diagnosis of water quality using traditional physicochemical parameters that defined the differential contribution of urban wastes at the three sites was associated with the biological assays. It became clear that the biological assays were of significant benefit in the diagnosis of risks of contamination of hydrographic basins by pollutants from urban non-point sources.