Use of a Biofilter for Treatment of Heavy Metals in Highway Runoff

Anthropogenic constituents in highway runoff include metal elements and suspended solids which result from traffic activities, atmospheric deposition, roadway degradation and highway maintenance. A best management practice (BMP) for immobilizing heavy metals and suspended solids is a partial exfiltration trench (PET). A PET is designed to exfiltrate a percentage of infiltrated runoff to subsoil with the balance discharged through an underdrain. The PET functions through adsorptive-filtration, where dissolved metals are immobilized through sorption and metals associated with suspended solids are immobilized through filtration. An important PET design consideration is potential association of heavy metals with suspended solids. This paper investigates the correlation between heavy metals and suspended solids in highway runoff. Results indicate a strong positive correlation between heavy metal and suspended solid concentrations for snow washoff events and a poor correlation for rainfall-runoff events. Similar results are observed for correlations between metals and suspended particle sizes. From these findings, it is argued that a PET holds promise as a device for immobilizing metals associated with suspended solids transported during snow washoff and long duration rainfall events.

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Dynamic behavior of suspended pollutants and particle size distribution in highway runoff

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2002.0771 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 46 (11-12) ◽

pp. 413-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 104

Author(s):

H. Furumai ◽

H. Balmer ◽

M. Boller

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Particle Size ◽

Particle Size Distribution ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Suspended Solids ◽

Dynamic Change ◽

First Flush ◽

Highway Runoff ◽

Runoff Rate ◽

Highway Drainage

Continuous runoff quality monitoring was conducted for one month at urban highway drainage with an area of 8.4 ha. Dynamic change of suspended solids and heavy metal concentrations were investigated during first flush periods, taking the particle size distribution into consideration. Except for Pb, the concentrations of TSS and heavy metals in runoff were within the range of the EMC reported in recent highway runoff research. Particle-bound heavy metals (Zn, Pb, and Cu) accounted for more significant pollutant loads than soluble fractions. Their content decreased with increasing total SS concentration in runoff samples. The results of particle size distribution (PSD) analysis of runoff samples indicate that high TSS concentration samples contained coarser particles. Based on the PSD results, a stepwise wash-off phenomenon of TSS under varying runoff rate conditions was explained by the different washoff behavior of fine (< 20 mm) and coarser particles.

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Treatment of suspended solids and heavy metals from urban stormwater runoff by a tree box filter

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2014.150 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 69 (12) ◽

pp. 2460-2467 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

F. K. F. Geronimo ◽

M. C. Maniquiz-Redillas ◽

J. A. S. Tobio ◽

L. H. Kim

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Suspended Solids ◽

Stormwater Runoff ◽

Storm Events ◽

High Concentration ◽

Urban Stormwater ◽

Korean Ministry ◽

Parking Lot ◽

Urban Stormwater Runoff ◽

Cadmium And Lead

Particulates, inorganic and toxic constituents are the most common pollutants associated with urban stormwater runoff. Heavy metals such as chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead are found to be in high concentration on paved roads or parking lots due to vehicle emissions. In order to control the rapid increase of pollutant loads in stormwater runoff, the Korean Ministry of Environment proposed the utilization of low impact developments. One of these was the application of tree box filters that act as a bioretention treatment system which executes filtration and sorption processes. In this study, a tree box filter located adjacent to an impervious parking lot was developed to treat suspended solids and heavy metal concentrations from urban stormwater runoff. In total, 11 storm events were monitored from July 2010 to August 2012. The results showed that the tree box filter was highly effective in removing particulates (up to 95%) and heavy metals (at least 70%) from the urban stormwater runoff. Furthermore, the tree box filter was capable of reducing the volume runoff by 40% at a hydraulic loading rate of 1 m/day and below.

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Copper, Zinc and Iron Contamination in Wellington Streams After Rainfall Events

10.26686/wgtn.16993450.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Omar Ahmed Alsager

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

New Zealand ◽

Base Flow ◽

Storm Runoff ◽

Dissolved Metals ◽

Roof Runoff ◽

Wet Weather ◽

Wet Weather Flow ◽

Runoff Events ◽

Cu And Zn

<p>This work set out to determine the concentrations of dissolved copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) during base and wet weather flow at streams throughout the Wellington region. The secondary objective was to investigate possible sources of heavy metals during rainfall events. The concentrations of the three dissolved trace metals Cu, Zn and Fe were measured at 13 sites on five streams during base flow conditions and during runoff events (wet weather flow) in the Wellington region between January and July 2011. More than 240 base flow and 100 wet weather flow samples have been analysed for the three dissolved metals. Additionally, rainfall, roof runoff and paved surface runoff samples have been collected and analysed. The analysis was performed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). A pre-concentration procedure using Chelex-100, a chelating polymeric resin bead, was developed and successfully used to enhance the concentrations of dissolved Cu and dissolved Zn. The recorded data were compared to the recommended long-term (chronic) toxicity triggers; the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council freshwater toxicity trigger values (ANZECC (2000) TV) for dissolved Cu and Zn, and the Canadian trigger value (CTV) for dissolved Fe. Additionally, the concentrations of dissolved Cu and Zn in storm water samples were compared against the recommended short-term (acute) toxicity triggers, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA 2006) Criteria Maximum Concentrations (CMC). The medians of dissolved heavy metals concentrations; Cu, Zn, and Fe, all of which are potentially toxic to aquatic life, exceeded the long-term (chronic) toxicity guidelines at one of the studied sites for Fe, nine sites (69%) for Cu and 10 sites (77%) for Zn in base flow conditions. Comparison of base flow monitoring data to previous reports showed that the concentrations of the studied metals have increased over the last five years. Storm water (wet weather flow conditions) contained elevated levels of dissolved heavy metals in comparison to base flow concentrations which is consistent with what has been reported previously. Dissolved Cu and Zn exceeded the acute toxicity criteria at sites of suburban residential areas. The median of dissolved Fe concentration exceeded the sustained toxicity exposure trigger at eight of the studied sites (61%). Distinct catchment type contaminant concentrations (dissolved Cu and Zn) were observed during storm runoff events with a concentration pattern of suburban residential > commercial > light residential > rural catchment. Dissolved Fe exhibited a similar pattern but in this case the concentration in rural catchments was higher than in light residential catchments. These observations were attributed to the high traffic of vehicles passing nearby the area; accumulated particulate materials; and corrosion of materials containing heavy metals, such as galvanised and copper roofs, gutter systems and building construction materials. The strongest and most obvious first flush effect was observed with dissolved Cu followed by Zn where the phenomenon was observed in six storm runoff events for Cu and five events for Zn. The first flush effect of dissolved Fe was present in three out of eight storm runoff events. The concentrations of dissolved metals were of the same order of magnitude as those previously reported for the Wellington region, but this work recorded the highest expected concentrations, particularly, for dissolved Fe. The reported data are consistent with data sets from other New Zealand regions. The investigation of possible sources of dissolved heavy metals in storm runoff samples showed that rainfall water contained markedly elevated concentrations of dissolved Zn and smaller Cu concentrations, 0.04-0.075 and 0.0018-0.01 mg/L respectively, in comparison to the ANZECC (2000) TVs, 0.008 and 0.0014 mg/L respectively. The concentrations of dissolved Fe were below the CTV level of 0.3 mg/L. Most studies conducted in New Zealand did not take into account the atmospheric precipitation contribution to the elevated concentrations of dissolved metals during runoff events. Roof runoff samples had similar dissolved Cu and Fe concentration to those recorded in atmospheric rainfall water, but Zn was found to be higher in galvanised roof runoff. First flush samples from roof runoff had higher concentrations of all three metals than the delayed runoff samples, indicating the presence of accumulated particles containing metals. Paved surface runoff samples had concentrations of dissolved Cu and Zn higher than the chronic toxicity triggers, but the medians did not exceed the acute toxicity guidelines. The value of the median for the concentrations of dissolved Fe was below the CTV criteria. Similar results have been published for surface runoff in New Zealand and the international literature related to this field.</p>

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Feasibility of Stormwater Treatment by Conventional and Lamellar Settling With and Without Polymeric Flocculant Addition

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2004.052 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 406-416 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jim Wood ◽

Samir Dhanvantari ◽

Mingdi Yang ◽

Quintin Rochfort ◽

Patrick Chessie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Suspended Solids ◽

Stormwater Runoff ◽

Total Suspended Solids ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Urban Site ◽

Stormwater Treatment ◽

Runoff Events ◽

The U.S ◽

Surface Loads

Abstract Stormwater treatment by lamellar and conventional clarification, with and without flocculant addition, was investigated in Toronto, Ontario, using a pilot-scale rectangular clarifier vessel with removable lamellar plates. During the 2001 to 2003 field seasons, 76 stormwater runoff events were characterized with respect to flow and quality, and further investigated for stormwater treatment. Most stormwater constituent concentrations at this site exceeded those for the U.S. NURP median urban site. A cationic polymeric flocculant dosed at 4 mg/L, with lamellar clarification, provided the best results with a total suspended solids (TSS) removal of 83% at total vessel surface loads up to 36 m/h. The clarification processes produced a concentrated sludge, which was strongly polluted by heavy metals and would require special disposal procedures.

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Metal fluxes in the Mersey Narrows

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ◽

10.5194/hess-5-103-2001 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 103-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

J. A. Cole ◽

K. Whitelaw

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Water Samples ◽

Suspended Solids ◽

Quality Data ◽

Tidal Range ◽

Dissolved Metals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Water Quality Data ◽

North West ◽

Mersey Estuary

Abstract. Surveys of the Mersey estuary in north-west England were undertaken near the mouth of the estuary in the region known as the Mersey Narrows. Tidal fluxes of suspended and dissolved matter, particularly heavy metals, through the Mersey Narrows were investigated. This paper gives results of conducting four intensive cross-sectional surveys of the Narrows, during which currents, salinities, turbidity and water samples were obtained systematically at numerous positions, throughout selected tidal cycles. Over 300 water samples per survey were analysed to yield suspended and dissolved concentrations of the elements As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn, at all states of the tide. Suspended solids, concentrations and salinities were also measured. Suspended particulates account for the majority of each element present, except for cadmium, which was present in roughly equal dissolved and suspended fractions. From the tidal current and water quality data, calculations were made of hour-by-hour fluxes of each component, to show the detailed ebb and flow of heavy metals and the net tidal transport of each component. Although some differences between landward transport on the flood tide and seaward transport on the ebb were not significant, the more definite results consistently showed a seawards net transport. For spring tides of high tidal range, there was an indication of an opposite tendency, reducing the seawards transport or even reversing it, for certain suspended components. Keywords: Mersey estuary, surveys, tidal flux, dissolved metals, particulate metals, salinity, suspended particulate matter, suspended solids

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Copper, Zinc and Iron Contamination in Wellington Streams After Rainfall Events

10.26686/wgtn.16993450 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Omar Ahmed Alsager

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

New Zealand ◽

Base Flow ◽

Storm Runoff ◽

Dissolved Metals ◽

Roof Runoff ◽

Wet Weather ◽

Wet Weather Flow ◽

Runoff Events ◽

Cu And Zn

<p>This work set out to determine the concentrations of dissolved copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) during base and wet weather flow at streams throughout the Wellington region. The secondary objective was to investigate possible sources of heavy metals during rainfall events. The concentrations of the three dissolved trace metals Cu, Zn and Fe were measured at 13 sites on five streams during base flow conditions and during runoff events (wet weather flow) in the Wellington region between January and July 2011. More than 240 base flow and 100 wet weather flow samples have been analysed for the three dissolved metals. Additionally, rainfall, roof runoff and paved surface runoff samples have been collected and analysed. The analysis was performed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). A pre-concentration procedure using Chelex-100, a chelating polymeric resin bead, was developed and successfully used to enhance the concentrations of dissolved Cu and dissolved Zn. The recorded data were compared to the recommended long-term (chronic) toxicity triggers; the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council freshwater toxicity trigger values (ANZECC (2000) TV) for dissolved Cu and Zn, and the Canadian trigger value (CTV) for dissolved Fe. Additionally, the concentrations of dissolved Cu and Zn in storm water samples were compared against the recommended short-term (acute) toxicity triggers, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA 2006) Criteria Maximum Concentrations (CMC). The medians of dissolved heavy metals concentrations; Cu, Zn, and Fe, all of which are potentially toxic to aquatic life, exceeded the long-term (chronic) toxicity guidelines at one of the studied sites for Fe, nine sites (69%) for Cu and 10 sites (77%) for Zn in base flow conditions. Comparison of base flow monitoring data to previous reports showed that the concentrations of the studied metals have increased over the last five years. Storm water (wet weather flow conditions) contained elevated levels of dissolved heavy metals in comparison to base flow concentrations which is consistent with what has been reported previously. Dissolved Cu and Zn exceeded the acute toxicity criteria at sites of suburban residential areas. The median of dissolved Fe concentration exceeded the sustained toxicity exposure trigger at eight of the studied sites (61%). Distinct catchment type contaminant concentrations (dissolved Cu and Zn) were observed during storm runoff events with a concentration pattern of suburban residential > commercial > light residential > rural catchment. Dissolved Fe exhibited a similar pattern but in this case the concentration in rural catchments was higher than in light residential catchments. These observations were attributed to the high traffic of vehicles passing nearby the area; accumulated particulate materials; and corrosion of materials containing heavy metals, such as galvanised and copper roofs, gutter systems and building construction materials. The strongest and most obvious first flush effect was observed with dissolved Cu followed by Zn where the phenomenon was observed in six storm runoff events for Cu and five events for Zn. The first flush effect of dissolved Fe was present in three out of eight storm runoff events. The concentrations of dissolved metals were of the same order of magnitude as those previously reported for the Wellington region, but this work recorded the highest expected concentrations, particularly, for dissolved Fe. The reported data are consistent with data sets from other New Zealand regions. The investigation of possible sources of dissolved heavy metals in storm runoff samples showed that rainfall water contained markedly elevated concentrations of dissolved Zn and smaller Cu concentrations, 0.04-0.075 and 0.0018-0.01 mg/L respectively, in comparison to the ANZECC (2000) TVs, 0.008 and 0.0014 mg/L respectively. The concentrations of dissolved Fe were below the CTV level of 0.3 mg/L. Most studies conducted in New Zealand did not take into account the atmospheric precipitation contribution to the elevated concentrations of dissolved metals during runoff events. Roof runoff samples had similar dissolved Cu and Fe concentration to those recorded in atmospheric rainfall water, but Zn was found to be higher in galvanised roof runoff. First flush samples from roof runoff had higher concentrations of all three metals than the delayed runoff samples, indicating the presence of accumulated particles containing metals. Paved surface runoff samples had concentrations of dissolved Cu and Zn higher than the chronic toxicity triggers, but the medians did not exceed the acute toxicity guidelines. The value of the median for the concentrations of dissolved Fe was below the CTV criteria. Similar results have been published for surface runoff in New Zealand and the international literature related to this field.</p>

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SSUIS – a research model for predicting suspended solids loads in stormwater runoff from urban impervious surfaces

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2012.131 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 65 (12) ◽

pp. 2140-2147

Author(s):

Ian M. Brodie

Keyword(s):

Suspended Solids ◽

Stormwater Runoff ◽

Source Area ◽

Storm Event ◽

Impervious Surfaces ◽

Research Model ◽

Treatment Efficiency ◽

Particle Accumulation ◽

Car Park ◽

Urban Impervious Surfaces

Suspended solids from urban impervious surfaces (SSUIS) is a spreadsheet-based model that predicts the mass loading of suspended solids (SS) in stormwater runoff generated from impervious urban surfaces. The model is intended to be a research tool and incorporates several particle accumulation and washoff processes. Development of SSUIS is based on interpretation of storm event data obtained from a galvanised iron roof, a concrete car park and a bitumen road located in Toowoomba, Australia. SSUIS is a source area model that tracks the particle mass balance on the impervious surface and within its lateral drain to a point of discharge. Particles are separated into two groups: free and detained, depending on the rainfall energy required for surface washoff. Calibration and verification of SSUIS against the Toowoomba SS data yielded R2 values ranging from 0.60 to 0.98. Parameter sensitivity analysis and an example of how SSUIS can be applied to predict the treatment efficiency of a grass swale are also provided.

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