Colloidal contaminants in urban runoff

[摘要] The role of various particle size fractions in determining urban storm water quality (pH, suspended solids, total organic carbon, turbidity, metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and pesticide) has been evaluated in a series of field sampling efforts and laboratory experiments. Water quality during two storm events was monitored over time and changes in contaminant fractionation recorded. The potential for aggregation of suspended matter in the runoff stream and the importance of aggregation on partitioning of the polyaromatic hydrocarbon fluoranthene in various size fractions has been tested in laboratory experiments. Results confirmed the polluting nature of urban runoff and showed a considerable increase in the contaminants loading during storm events. Different pollutants reached their peak concentration during different stages of the storm. It was concluded that the rate and extent of aggregation processes are sufficient to significantly affect the apparent partitioning, fate and transport of associated contaminants.

[发布机构] Rice University