scholarly journals Urban Street Pollutants

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano POLETO ◽  
GUSTAVO HENRIQUE MERTEN
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Sediment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Suspended Sediments ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Urban Street ◽  
Street Sediments ◽  
High Enrichment ◽  
High Concentrations

The sediments carried by runoff water are an important part of this process because their presence in the bodies of water not only cause sedimentation problems but, mainly, they contaminate the water due to the presence of the pollutants found associated with sediments. The urban subwatershed under study is located in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre city, Brazil. This paper aims to present the relation between pollutants on the street sediments and in suspended sediment sampled in the river. The collections of suspended sediment samples begun in the end of 2003 and finished in the end of 2006. Collections of urban dust samples (47 samples per km²) were taken in the main diffuse sources of the urban environment, represented by paved and non-paved streets, beyond the area with remaining vegetation, in some points of the bed river and in its margins. During these analyses, it was studied 29 samples of fluvial suspended sediments. The elements selected for this study are some of the most frequently found in high concentrations in urban areas (Zn, Pb and Cu). The results suggest it is occurring a high enrichment of the local sediment with these metals. The concentrations of these elements vary temporally during storms due the input of road runoff containing elevated concentrations of elements associated with vehicular traffic and other anthropogenic activities. In general, they have their most concentrations on the streets but they are carried to the channel during the storms.

scholarly journals CLIMATE-ORIENTED ASSESSMENT OF MAIN STREET DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT IN BUDAPEST

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria CSETE ◽  
Attila BUZASI
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Street Design ◽  
Urban Street ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Island Effect ◽  
Urban Heat ◽  
Planning And Construction ◽  
Main Streets

Main streets play pivotal role in urban areas in terms of economic, social, moreover environmental contexts. Such streets are generally situated in densely built-up areas, where the adverse effects of climate change, such as rising temperature and changing precipitation patterns occur emphatically. Increasing urban heat island effect or extreme amount of runoff water during severe storms and floods significantly decrease the adaptive capacity of a city, consequently its residents becoming more vulnerable. Therefore involving climate-oriented design principles into planning and construction phase contributes to reach more sustainable and climate-friendly open spaces what are strongly relevant especially in main streets which are designed for a great amount of people. Present study provides a criteria matrix for assessing the climate-friendly level of recently renewed main streets in Budapest. Due to this assessment tool the adaptation and mitigation performance of the selected projects can be evaluated. For identifying strengths and weaknesses of a given project, a rating scheme has been applied by selecting and using 42 indicators grouped into mitigation, adaptation and awareness raising categories. Thus planners, decision-makers and other stakeholders can easily define future opportunities and challenges, accordingly this study may contribute to take urban street design practices toward climate-friendliness by paying more attention on changing local weather patterns and related consequences.

Hydrogeological setting and hydrogeochemical characteristics of the Durban Metropolitan District, eastern South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-316
Author(s):  
M.S. Ndlovu ◽  
M. Demlie ◽  
M. Butler
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
The State ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Environmental Isotope ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract Population and economic growth within the Durban Metropolitan region in eastern South Africa have increased the demand for water supply. Though the region’s water supply comes mainly from surface water sources, the ever-increasing demand means that all available water supply sources including groundwater will be looked at, particularly in the peri-urban areas. However, the state of the groundwater resource in the region is poorly understood. This study aims to contribute towards improved understanding of the state of groundwater resources in the Metropolitan District through an integrated hydrogeological, hydrochemical and environmental isotope investigations. Results of the hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characterization identified at least five hydrostratigraphic units of varying hydraulic and hydrochemical characteristics: the weathered and fractured basement aquifers of the Mapumulo Group, Oribi Gorge, Mzimlilo and Mkhomazi Suites characterized by average borehole yield and transmissivity (T) of 1.2 l/s, and 3.9 m2/day, respectively, and hydrochemical facies of Ca-Mg-HCO3;the fractured Natal Group sandstone characterised by average borehole yield and hydraulic conductivity (K) of 5.6 l/s and 2.8 m/day, respectively and with Na-Mg-HCO3-Cl dominant water type;the fractured aquifers of the Dwyka Group diamictite and tillite characterized by average borehole yield of 0.4 l/s, transmissivity of 1.3 m2/day and Na-Cl-HCO3 dominant water type;the Vryheid Formation of the Ecca Group characterized by average borehole yield of 2.5 l/s, T of 4.9 m2/day, K values 0.17 m/day, and Na-Cl-HCO3 water type. The Pietermaritzburg Formation of the Ecca Group is characterized by a shale lithology with very low borehole yields and average transmissivity of 0.28 m2/d with Na-Ca-Cl dominant water type. It is considered as an aquiclude than an aquifer;the intergranular aquifer of the Maputaland Group which comprises the Bluff, Berea type sands and harbour beds (recent alluvium and estuarine deposits). These units collectively have average borehole yield of 14.8 l/s, transmissivity of up to 406 m2/day and a mainly Na-Cl-HCO3 hydrochemical signature. The region receives mean annual precipitation (MAP) of 935 mm/yr of which an estimated 6.6% recharges the various aquifers. Environmental isotope data (2H, 18O and 3H) indicated that groundwater is recharged from modern precipitation. High concentrations of tritium, as high as 92 T.U., measured around landfill sites, indicates groundwater contamination from leachate leakage posing a risk to human and environmental health.

scholarly journals Hindcasting and Forecasting Total Suspended Sediment Concentrations Using a NARX Neural Network

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 363
Author(s):  
Vladimir J. Alarcon
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Suspended Sediment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Input Data ◽  
Suspended Sediments ◽  
Efficiency Index ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Creek Watershed ◽  
Suspended Sediment Concentrations

Estimating and forecasting suspended sediments concentrations in streams constitutes a valuable asset for sustainable land management. This research presents the development of a non-linear autoregressive exogenous neural network (NARX) for forecasting sediment concentrations at the exit of Francia Creek watershed (Valparaiso, Chile). Details are presented on input data selection, data splitting, selection of model architecture, determination of model structure, NARX training (optimization of model parameters), and model validation (hindcasting and forecasting). The study explored if the developed artificial neural network model is valid for forecasting daily suspended sediment concentrations for a complete year, capturing seasonal trends, and maximum and baseflow concentrations. Francia Creek watershed covers approximately 3.24 km2. Land cover within the catchment consists mainly of native and exotic vegetation, eroded soil, and urban areas. Input data consisting of precipitation and stream flow time-series were fed to a NARX network for forecasting daily suspended sediments (SST) concentrations for years 2013–2014, and hindcasting for years 2008–2010. Training of the network was performed with daily SST, precipitation, and flow data from years 2012 and 2013. The resulting NARX net consisted of an open-loop, 12-node hidden layer, 100 iterations, using Bayesian regularization backpropagation. Hindcasting of daily and monthly SST concentrations for years 2008 through 2010 was successful. Daily SST concentrations for years 2013 and 2014 were forecasted successfully for baseflow conditions (R2 = 0.73, NS = 0.71, and Kling-Gupta efficiency index (K-G) = 0.84). Forecasting daily SST concentrations for year 2014 was within acceptable statistical fit and error margins (R2 = 0.53, NS = 0.47, K-G = 0.60, d = 0.82). Forecasting of monthly maximum SST concentrations for the two-year period (2013 and 2014) was also successful (R2 = 0.69, NS = 0.60, K-G = 0.54, d = 0.84).

scholarly journals Assessment of Urban Contamination by Sewage in Sediments from Ipojuca River in Caruaru City, Pernambuco, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Flávia de Oliveira ◽  
Bruna Gomes ◽  
Rebeca França ◽  
Alex Moraes ◽  
Giovana Bataglion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Total Concentration ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽  
Remedial Actions ◽  
Advanced Analysis ◽  
High Concentrations

The Ipojuca River is considered the third most polluted river in Brazil due to the intense anthropogenic activities in the surrounding urban areas. The most important effluent is sewage discharge, which is responsible for considerable contamination. Traditional analyses (infrared spectroscopy, organic matter (OM), elemental analysis and granulometry) and advanced analysis of sterols by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were applied to evaluate the levels of urban contamination from sewage in 10 surface sediment samples from the Ipojuca River, in a stretch located in the Caruaru city, Pernambuco, Brazil. The results pointed to sandy sediments, rich in OM from anthropogenic sources (predominant). Eight different sterols were detected with a total concentration in a range between < limit of quantification (LOQ) and 1,634.4 µg g-1. Coprostanol (fecal biomarker) was detected in high concentrations (557.3 µg g-1) in the sediment collected close to an open-air market (considered the largest in the world), making it the most contaminated in the region. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed areas tending towards contamination and that 90% of sediments were contaminated by sewage. These results can be considered useful for preventive and remedial actions toward promoting human health in this region.

The implications of climate change on residential water use: a micro-scale analysis of Portland (OR), USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Shandas ◽  
Meenakshi Rao ◽  
Moriah McSharry McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Residential Water Use ◽  
Residential Water

Social and behavioral research is crucial for securing environmental sustainability and improving human living environments. Although the majority of people now live in urban areas, we have limited empirical evidence of the anticipated behavioral response to climate change. Using empirical data on daily household residential water use and temperature, our research examines the implications of future climate conditions on water conservation behavior in 501 households within the Portland (OR) metropolitan region. We ask whether and how much change in ambient temperatures impact residential household water use, while controlling for taxlot characteristics. Based on our results, we develop a spatially explicit description about the changes in future water use for the study region using a downscaled future climate scenario. The results suggest that behavioral responses are mediated by an interaction of household structural attributes, and magnitude and temporal variability of weather parameters. These findings have implications for the way natural resource managers and planning bureaus prepare for and adapt to future consequences of climate change.

Spatiotemporal clustering, social inequities and the risk of leptospirosis in an endemic area of Brazil: a retrospective spatial modelling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katyucia O C de Souza ◽  
José Augusto P Góes ◽  
Matheus S Melo ◽  
Paula M G Leite ◽  
Lucas A Andrade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spatial Regression ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
The State ◽  
Scan Statistics ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Social Inequities

Abstract Background Leptospirosis is an endemic disease in Brazil of social and economic relevance related to behavioural and socioenvironmental factors. This study aimed to analyse the spatiotemporal distribution of the incidence of leptospirosis and its association with social determinants in health in a state of northeastern Brazil. Methods An ecological study of temporal series with techniques of spatial analysis using secondary data of the cases of leptospirosis notified in the Information System of Notifiable Diseases of the state of Sergipe (2008–2017) was conducted. The analysis of temporal trends was performed using Poisson regression. Spatial analyses were performed using the Moran index, the local empirical Bayesian model, scan statistics and spatial regression. Results The incidence rate decreased from 3.66 to 1.44 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in 2008 and 2017, respectively. Leptospirosis was associated with social inequities, mostly affecting males aged 20–49 y living in urban areas. The space-time scan indicated the formation of a risk cluster in municipalities in the metropolitan region of the state. Conclusions The data indicated the persistence of leptospirosis transmission, maintaining a pattern of high endemicity in some municipalities associated with social inequities. The study showed the temporal and spatial dynamics of the disease to better target specific actions for prevention and control.

scholarly journals Community Perceptions and Knowledge of Modern Stormwater Treatment Assets

Urban Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Hadi Zamanifard ◽  
Edward A. Morgan ◽  
Wade L. Hadwen
Keyword(s):  
Urban Design ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Urban Runoff ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Community Acceptance ◽  
Water Sensitive Urban Design

Modern stormwater treatment assets are a form of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) features that aim to reduce the volumes of sediment, nutrients and gross pollutants discharged into receiving waterways. Local governments and developers in urban areas are installing and maintaining a large number of stormwater treatment assets, with the aim of improving urban runoff water quality. Many of these assets take up significant urban space and are highly visible and as a result, community acceptance is essential for effective WSUD design and implementation. However, community perceptions and knowledge about these assets have not been widely studied. This study used a survey to investigate community perceptions and knowledge about stormwater treatment assets in Brisbane, Australia. The results suggest that there is limited community knowledge of these assets, but that communities notice them and value their natural features when well-maintained. This study suggests that local governments may be able to better inform residents about the importance of these assets, and that designing for multiple purposes may improve community acceptance and support for the use of Council funds to maintain them.

scholarly journals Insights on the Impacts of Hydroclimatic Extremes and Anthropogenic Activities on Sediment Yield of a River Basin

Earth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-50
Author(s):  
Rocky Talchabhadel ◽  
Jeeban Panthi ◽  
Sanjib Sharma ◽  
Ganesh R. Ghimire ◽  
Rupesh Baniya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Sediment ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Extreme Precipitation ◽  
Suspended Sediment Concentration ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Sediment Flux ◽  
Mountain River ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Precipitation Indices

Streamflow and sediment flux variations in a mountain river basin directly affect the downstream biodiversity and ecological processes. Precipitation is expected to be one of the main drivers of these variations in the Himalayas. However, such relations have not been explored for the mountain river basin, Nepal. This paper explores the variation in streamflow and sediment flux from 2006 to 2019 in central Nepal’s Kali Gandaki River basin and correlates them to precipitation indices computed from 77 stations across the basin. Nine precipitation indices and four other ratio-based indices are used for comparison. Percentage contributions of maximum 1-day, consecutive 3-day, 5-day and 7-day precipitation to the annual precipitation provide information on the severity of precipitation extremeness. We found that maximum suspended sediment concentration had a significant positive correlation with the maximum consecutive 3-day precipitation. In contrast, average suspended sediment concentration had significant positive correlations with all ratio-based precipitation indices. The existing sediment erosion trend, driven by the amount, intensity, and frequency of extreme precipitation, demands urgency in sediment source management on the Nepal Himalaya’s mountain slopes. The increment in extreme sediment transports partially resulted from anthropogenic interventions, especially landslides triggered by poorly-constructed roads, and the changing nature of extreme precipitation driven by climate variability.

scholarly journals Dissolved organic nutrients at the interface of fresh and marine waters: flow regime changes, biogeochemical cascades and picocyanobacterial blooms—the example of Florida Bay, USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia M. Glibert ◽  
Cynthia A. Heil ◽  
Christopher J. Madden ◽  
Stephen P. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Florida Bay ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Regime Changes ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Organic Nutrients ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Chemical Conditions ◽  
Favorable Conditions

AbstractThe availability of dissolved inorganic and organic nutrients and their transformations along the fresh to marine continuum are being modified by various natural and anthropogenic activities and climate-related changes. Subtropical central and eastern Florida Bay, located at the southern end of the Florida peninsula, is classically considered to have inorganic nutrient conditions that are in higher-than-Redfield ratio proportions, and high levels of organic and chemically-reduced forms of nitrogen. However, salinity, pH and nutrients, both organic and inorganic, change with changes in freshwater flows to the bay. Here, using a time series of water quality and physico-chemical conditions from 2009 to 2019, the impacts of distinct changes in managed flow, drought, El Niño-related increases in precipitation, and intensive storms and hurricanes are explored with respect to changes in water quality and resulting ecosystem effects, with a focus on understanding why picocyanobacterial blooms formed when they did. Drought produced hyper-salinity conditions that were associated with a seagrass die-off. Years later, increases in precipitation resulting from intensive storms and a hurricane were associated with high loads of organic nutrients, and declines in pH, likely due to high organic acid input and decaying organic matter, collectively leading to physiologically favorable conditions for growth of the picocyanobacterium, Synechococcus spp. These conditions, including very high concentrations of NH4+, were likely inhibiting for seagrass recovery and for growth of competing phytoplankton or their grazers. Given projected future climate conditions, and anticipated cycles of drought and intensive storms, the likelihood of future seagrass die-offs and picocyanobacterial blooms is high.

scholarly journals Modelling Pluvial Flooding in Urban Areas Coupling the Models Iber and SWMM

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2647
Author(s):  
Esteban Sañudo ◽  
Luis Cea ◽  
Jerónimo Puertas
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Flow Model ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Urban Drainage ◽  
Dynamic Link Library ◽  
Storm Water Management Model ◽  
Urban Street ◽  
Sewer Network ◽  
Overland Flow Model

Dual urban drainage models allow users to simulate pluvial urban flooding by analysing the interaction between the sewer network (minor drainage system) and the overland flow (major drainage system). This work presents a free distribution dual drainage model linking the models Iber and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), which are a 2D overland flow model and a 1D sewer network model, respectively. The linking methodology consists in a step by step calling process from Iber to a Dynamic-link Library (DLL) that contains the functions in which the SWMM code is split. The work involves the validation of the model in a simplified urban street, in a full-scale urban drainage physical model and in a real urban settlement. The three study cases have been carefully chosen to show and validate the main capabilities of the model. Therefore, the model is developed as a tool that considers the main hydrological and hydraulic processes during a rainfall event in an urban basin, allowing the user to plan, evaluate and design new or existing urban drainage systems in a realistic way.

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