Integrated Simulation of Particle-Bound Contaminants in Urbanised Catchments Using High-Resolution Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Rojas-Gómez ◽  
Jakob Benisch ◽  
Julian D. Reyes-Silva ◽  
Renato Mariano ◽  
Soohyun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Transport Mechanisms ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Integrated Simulation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Urbanised Catchments

<p>During heavy rainfall events, the large amounts of generated runoff in urban areas mobilise particulate matter from different surfaces. These particles have attached other contaminants such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and, faecal microorganisms. In urbanised areas, particle-bound contaminants (PBCs) may reach rivers through surface runoff, combined sewer overflows or storm water discharges. This may affect the water quality of receiving water bodies and creates health risks to humans and ecosystems. Due to the spatial variability of PBCs, associated to different land uses and pollution sources, the quantification and characterisation of contaminant pathways remain a challenge. Despite high investments, the implemented management alternatives to improve river water quality are still inefficient due to late identification of pressures and lack of a real paradigm shift towards holistic approaches. Therefore, it is necessary to better understand and describe the main factors controlling PBCs pathways in urban areas. This is expected to facilitate the selection of appropriate technologies and strategies to reduce the impact of urban discharges on receiving water bodies.</p><p>In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of spatial and temporal variability of sediments and PBCs sources on river water quality in an urbanised catchment, considering land-use distribution within the sewersheds. This is expected to provide a better understanding of the relationship between drivers of relevant PBCs and the response of the urban water system under dynamic conditions (i.e. variable sediment load, urban runoff, storm water discharge and river flow). </p><p>Data for this study is obtained from an integrated monitoring network in a small watershed (Lockwitzbach) located in Dresden, Germany. This urban observatory consists of four water quality monitoring stations within the stream and in the sewer network. High-resolution (1min) discharge and turbidity data are collected. This allows to understand the dynamic transport mechanisms of sediments in the catchment, providing insights in complex runoff and discharge processes.</p><p>Integrated simulation of sediments and PBCs (i.e. heavy metals) is done by using EPA SWMM to evaluate surface build-up and wash-off. Additionally, the impact of sedimentation, accumulation and re-suspension of sediments and heavy metals within the sewer network and river are analysed using a simplified block developed in Simba#. Calibration and validation of the integrated model was done using online monitoring data and water samples taken during the period 2018-2020. Turbidity was used as a proxy for total suspended solids and PBCs. We identified and prioritised urban areas that are hotspots for high sediment and PBCs loads. Those represent potential locations for an optimal control and reduction of water pollution strategies. Results suggest that integrated simulation is an effective approach to analyse transport mechanisms and pathways of sediments and PBCs within urbanised catchments. Furthermore, high-resolution discharge and turbidity data are especially useful to represent the wash-off of contaminants associated to the first flush process during rainfall events.</p>

scholarly journals Spatial Variation of Water Chemistry in Aries River Catchment Western Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6592
Author(s):  
Ana Moldovan ◽  
Maria-Alexandra Hoaghia ◽  
Anamaria Iulia Török ◽  
Marius Roman ◽  
Ionut Cornel Mirea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Pollution Indices ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to investigate the quality and vulnerability of surface water (Aries River catchment) in order to identify the impact of past mining activities. For this purpose, the pollution and water quality indices, Piper and Durov plots, as well vulnerability modeling maps were used. The obtained results indicate that the water samples were contaminated with As, Fe, Mn, Pb and have relatively high concentrations of SO42−, HCO3−, TDS, Ca, K, Mg and high values for the electrical conductivity. Possible sources of the high content of chemicals could be the natural processes or the inputs of the mine drainage. Generally, according to the pollution indices, which were correlated to high concentrations of heavy metals, especially with Pb, Fe and Mn, the water samples were characterized by heavy metals pollution. The water quality index classified the studied water samples into five different classes of quality, namely: unsuitable for drinking, poor, medium, good and excellent quality. Similarly, medium, high and very high vulnerability classes were observed. The Durov and Piper plots classified the waters into Mg-HCO3− and Ca-Cl− types. The past and present mining activities clearly change the water chemistry and alter the quality of the Aries River, with the water requiring specific treatments before use.

Can management improve the lawn’s functioning in the conditions of multiple anthropogenic stressors?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Gavrichkova ◽  
Dario Liberati ◽  
Viktoriya Varyushkina ◽  
Kristina Ivashchenko ◽  
Paolo De Angelis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Heterotrophic Respiration ◽  
Sand Mixture ◽  
Anthropogenic Stressors ◽  
Unplanted Soil ◽  
The Impact

<p>Release of heavy metals, salts and other toxic agents in the environment is of increasing concern in urban areas. Contaminants not solely decline the quality of the local environment and affect the health of human population and urban ecosystems but are also spread through runoff and leaching into non-contaminated areas. Urban lawns are the most distributed green infrastructure in the cities. Management of lawn system may either exacerbate the negative effects of contaminants on lawn functioning either help to withstand the toxic effects and maintain the lawn ecosystem health and the efficient release of ecosystem services.  </p><p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the interactions between the lawn management, the lawn functioning, and the release into the soil of typical urban contaminants. For this purpose, <em>Festuca arundinacea</em> grass was planted in a turf-sand mixture with and without amendment addition (zeolite + vermicompost). To reproduce the impact of traffic-related contaminants in proximity of the road, pots were treated with a solution containing de-icing salt (NaCl) and 6 heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni), imitating road runoff solution. After contamination, half of pots was maintained at optimum soil water content (Smart irrigation), another half was left to periodical drying in order to simulate conditions with discontinuous watering (Periodical irrigation). The same experimental scheme was reproduced for unplanted soil. CO<sub>2</sub> net ecosystem exchange (NEE), soil and ecosystem respiration as well as flux from unplanted soil (heterotrophic respiration) were measured shortly after the treatment (short-term) and up 3 months since the treatment start (long-term).</p><p>Soil amendment stimulated plant productivity and increased the efficiency of the system in C uptake (+56% NEE). A relevant reduction of NEE was observed from 14 to 40 days after the application of traffic-related contaminants in both amended and non amended pots. During this period the contaminants had the greatest impact on lawn NEE subjected to Periodic irrigation (-49% and -66% in amended and non amended pots, respectively), while lawn under Smart irrigation was less affected (-35% and -26% in amended and non amended pots, respectively). Different respiration sources (ecosystem respiration, soil respiration, heterotrophic respiration) were characterized by different sensitivity to management and contamination. Heterotrophic flux was not sensitive to soil amending but declined with contamination with enhanced negative effect under Smart irrigation. Response of ecosystem respiration to contamination was less pronounced in confront to soil respiration suggesting leaf-level buffering.    </p><p>Three months later,  the effect of contaminants on lawn gas exchange ceased for all treated pots. Instead, the irrigation effect persisted depending on whether pots were amended or not. In non amended pots NEE was reduced by 18% under Periodic irrigation, while this effect was not present in amended pots. We conclude, that performance of such green infrastructure as lawns in terms of C sequestration under multiple anthropogenic stressors could be efficiently improved through soil amending and irrigation control.</p><p>Current research was financially supported by RFBR No. 19-29-05187 and RSF No. 19-77-30012.</p>

Use of permeable, reservoir pavement constructions for stormwater treatment and storage for re-use

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Permeable surfaces for roads and footpaths have been used as a means of disposal of stormwater in developed urban areas. Such surfaces provide an alternative to impermeable concrete or tarmacadam surfaces which would otherwise produce rapid stormwater runoff, leading to possible flooding and degeneration of receiving water quality through the uncontrolled discharge of polluted urban waters. A further advantage may be obtained from such constructions by undersealing them so as to retain stormwater for re-use for non-potable uses. The potential for general introduction of this type of storage and re-use system in residential areas is discussed and possible alternative designs for the drainage infrastructure proposed. To have widespread impact such a strategy must deliver cost savings as well as reduce the impact on the water environment of anticipated water usage demands. The source of such cost savings and the general environmental benefits of such systems will be presented. The materials used in such a sealed construction and the beneficial changes to the stored water quality are outlined. Recent work has also shown that where the pavement is used for car parking any oils dropped on the surface and washed into the structure by the stormwater may also be degraded. Details will be given of a site in the UK where the above construction is to be used to provide stormwater storage for re-use in flushing toilets at a Youth Hostel.

scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of spatial resolution on tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> column comparisons within urban areas using high-resolution airborne data

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 6091-6111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Judd ◽  
Jassim A. Al-Saadi ◽  
Scott J. Janz ◽  
Matthew G. Kowalewski ◽  
R. Bradley Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. NASA deployed the GeoTASO airborne UV–visible spectrometer in May–June 2017 to produce high-resolution (approximately 250 m×250 m) gapless NO2 datasets over the western shore of Lake Michigan and over the Los Angeles Basin. The results collected show that the airborne tropospheric vertical column retrievals compare well with ground-based Pandora spectrometer column NO2 observations (r2=0.91 and slope of 1.03). Apparent disagreements between the two measurements can be sensitive to the coincidence criteria and are often associated with large local variability, including rapid temporal changes and spatial heterogeneity that may be observed differently by the sunward-viewing Pandora observations. The gapless mapping strategy executed during the 2017 GeoTASO flights provides data suitable for averaging to coarser areal resolutions to simulate satellite retrievals. As simulated satellite pixel area increases to values typical of TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution), TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument), and OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument), the agreement with Pandora measurements degraded, particularly for the most polluted columns as localized large pollution enhancements observed by Pandora and GeoTASO are spatially averaged with nearby less-polluted locations within the larger area representative of the satellite spatial resolutions (aircraft-to-Pandora slope: TEMPO scale =0.88; TROPOMI scale =0.77; OMI scale =0.57). In these two regions, Pandora and TEMPO or TROPOMI have the potential to compare well at least up to pollution scales of 30×1015 molecules cm−2. Two publicly available OMI tropospheric NO2 retrievals are found to be biased low with respect to these Pandora observations. However, the agreement improves when higher-resolution a priori inputs are used for the tropospheric air mass factor calculation (NASA V3 standard product slope =0.18 and Berkeley High Resolution product slope =0.30). Overall, this work explores best practices for satellite validation strategies with Pandora direct-sun observations by showing the sensitivity to product spatial resolution and demonstrating how the high-spatial-resolution NO2 data retrieved from airborne spectrometers, such as GeoTASO, can be used with high-temporal-resolution ground-based column observations to evaluate the influence of spatial heterogeneity on validation results.

scholarly journals ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS EFFLUIENT (CHROMIUM & NICKEL) RELEASED INTO ROMI RIVER, KADUNA STATE: A CASE STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 704-707
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mudassir Usman ◽  
Muhammad Nuruddeen Abdulkareem ◽  
Abdullahi Muhammad ◽  
Kabiru Hamza
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Industrial Effluents ◽  
World Health ◽  
Refinery Effluent ◽  
Iron Nickel ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Industrial effluents discharged into the river poses a serious threat to our environment; the research examines the impact of some heavy metals of Kaduna refinery effluent into the Romi River. It asserts the nature of effluent released into the water body and also the impact of effluent on water quality. However the important water quality became relatively slowly as early human could only judge water quality through the physical senses of sight, taste and smell, now a days there is an increase of contamination of natural water bodies by industrial effluents in developing and densely populated countries like Nigeria, because rivers are major means of waste disposal and especially effluents from industries nearby. The data used in this research were generated from direct field measurement of pH, Conductivity, and Turbidity, heavy metal profiles (Chromium & Nickel) from Kaduna Refinery Effluent. The mean concentrations of the metals; chromium, iron, nickel, and zinc with the standard deviation were found to be: < 0.01 ± 0.1 mg/kg, and 0.06 ± 0.1 mg/kg. This study has shown that the mean concentration of chromium and Nickel found to be lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) acceptable limits while the concentration values of nickel 0.06 ± 0.1 mg/kg and iron 0.06 ± 0.1 mg/kg as found to be higher than the WHO, acceptable limits of the metals) obtained at the effluent points and this implicate the industry adjacent to the area as one of the sources of heavy metals in the river.

scholarly journals The role of urban boundary layer investigated by high resolution models and ground based observations in Rome area: a step for understanding parameterizations potentialities

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 5297-5344
Author(s):  
E. Pichelli ◽  
R. Ferretti ◽  
M. Cacciani ◽  
A. M. Siani ◽  
V. Ciardini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Sonic Anemometer ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The urban forcing on thermo-dynamical conditions can largely influences local evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer. Urban heat storage can produce noteworthy mesoscale perturbations of the lower atmosphere. The new generations of high-resolution numerical weather prediction models (NWP) is nowadays largely applied also to urban areas. It is therefore critical to reproduce correctly the urban forcing which turns in variations of wind, temperature and water vapor content of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). WRF-ARW, a new model generation, has been used to reproduce the circulation in the urban area of Rome. A sensitivity study is performed using different PBL and surface schemes. The significant role of the surface forcing in the PBL evolution has been verified by comparing model results with observations coming from many instruments (LiDAR, SODAR, sonic anemometer and surface stations). The crucial role of a correct urban representation has been demonstrated by testing the impact of different urban canopy models (UCM) on the forecast. Only one of three meteorological events studied will be presented, chosen as statistically relevant for the area of interest. The WRF-ARW model shows a tendency to overestimate vertical transmission of horizontal momentum from upper levels to low atmosphere, that is partially corrected by local PBL scheme coupled with an advanced UCM. Depending on background meteorological scenario, WRF-ARW shows an opposite behavior in correctly representing canopy layer and upper levels when local and non local PBL are compared. Moreover a tendency of the model in largely underestimating vertical motions has been verified.

scholarly journals The oxbow lakes of the central part of the River Labe - comparative study of water quality and heavy metals concentrations in sediment

Geografie ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-242
Author(s):  
Dagmar Chalupová ◽  
Bohumír Janský
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Oxbow Lakes ◽  
Water Loading ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Water Analyses ◽  
The Impact

In the years 2000 and 2002, the research of three fluvial lakes of the central part of the River Labe was carried out. All three localities were chosen to evaluate the environmental state and the impact of human activity. The research included physical, chemical, hydrobiological analyses of water, analyses of sediments and bathymetric measurements. In spite of the identical origin of these lakes, major differences were found e.g. oxygen saturation, BOD5, water loading with nutrients, calcium and chlorides concentrations. Considering the heavy metals in sediments significant differences in concentration - depth relation were determined at each locality as well.

scholarly journals Experimental results of the hydrological performance of a permeable pavement laboratory rig

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki G. Ioannidou ◽  
Scott Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Concrete Block ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Quality Aspects ◽  
The Impact

Abstract There is an increasing number of everyday flood incidents around the world, the impact of which poses a challenge to society, the economy and the environment. Under the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), green infrastructure through the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) is the recommended policy to manage and treat storm water runoff. Given the limited published experimental information on permeable interlocking concrete block pavements (PICPs), this paper presents novel results from an experimental laboratory study on a permeable interlocking concrete block pavement rig, investigating the short-term hydrology of the pavement, and water quality aspects related to the retention capacity of suspended solids (SS) through the pavement structure. Results of the volume analysis demonstrate high capability of the permeable structure to reduce the concentration time and attenuate the storm. Water quality testing was employed mainly as an indicator of the tendency of the suspended solids retention by the structure, indicating increasing tendency in the sediment mass retention progressively after each rainfall event. Experimental results obtained in the present study have direct application on the implementation of PICPs in car parking lots, urbanised pavement structures and pedestrianised walkways.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Correlations Between Water Quality And Microbial Community of Typical Inflow River Into Taihu Lake, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajie Zhang ◽  
Ye Zhang ◽  
Lecheng Wei ◽  
Mengyan Li ◽  
Weitang Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Taihu Lake ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Urban Wastewater Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Changxing River, which is a typical inflow river into the Taihu Lake and occurs severe algae invasion, is selected to study the effect of different pollution sources on the water quality and ecological system. Four types of pollution sources, including the estuary of Taihu Lake, discharge outlets of urban wastewater treatment plants, storm water outlets, and non-point source agricultural drainage areas are chosen, and next-generation sequencing and multi-variate statistical analyses are used to characterize the microbial communities and reveal their relationship with water physicochemical properties. Results showed that ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) are the main pollutant in Changxing River, especially at storm water outlets. At the same time, the diversity of microbial communities was the highest in the summer, and dominant phyla included Proteobacteria (40.9%), Bacteroidetes (21.0%) and Euryarchaeota (6.1%) under the condition of algal bloom. Water temperature (T), air pressure (P), concentrations of TP and CODMn were the important variables for the succession of microbial community. From the perspective of different pollution types, relative abundances of Microcystis and Nostocaceae at the estuary of Taihu Lake were correlated positively with dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH, and Pseudomonas and Arcobacter were correlated positively with concentrations of TN and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) at storm water outlets. The results provide a reference for the impact of pollution types on river microbial ecosystem under complex hydrological condition and a guidance for the selection of restoration techniques for polluted rivers entering an important lake.

Overview of Federal Law and USEPA Regulations for Urban Runoff

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 445-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry A. Roesner ◽  
Paul Traina
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Urban Runoff ◽  
The United States ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Water Quality Control ◽  
Drainage Systems ◽  
Wet Weather

Within the last three years, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has taken two significant steps with respect to regulating the quality of storm water discharges from urban areas. The first of these is the development of Final Rules and Regulations for Storm Water Discharges from urban areas with separated waste water and storm drainage systems. Published in late 1990, the rule requires all municipalities with populations over 100,000 to apply for a permit to discharge storm water under the USEPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The permit application must include, among other things, a plan to reduce the pollutants in urban runoff to the “Maximum Extent Practicable”. The second step is the publication in January, 1993, of a draft policy regulating discharges from combined sewer systems. These two initiatives for water quality control of wet weather discharges from urban drainage systems are significant steps forward in a national program to reduce pollution contributions to receiving waters in urban areas. This paper provides an overview of the requirements of these two wet weather water quality management programs.

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