Characterization and Assessment of Stormwater Runoff Quality from Automobile Workshops in Nigeria Using Multivariate Linear Regression

An investigation into the pollution of stormwater runoff from automobile workshops in Nigeria was performed. Also, multivariate regression was used to predict the pH, oil, and grease (O&G) as well as the electrical conductivity (EC) in relation to the characteristics of the solids and metals pollutants of the untreated automobile workshop stormwater. The results indicated that automobile workshops contributed notable amounts of pollutants to stormwater runoff. Results were compared with Nigerian and USEPA standards. It was found that most of the parameters had mean value ranges far greater than standard limits. The multivariate regression showed variations in the results obtained from different automobile workshops. These variations could be due to the influence of factors such as the volume of automobile servicing activities and the waste generated from these activities that flow in the stormwater runoff. However, the bulk of the EC and pH of the stormwater were associated with the concentrations of the total dissolved solids and copper while the bulk of the O&G concentration was associated with the concentrations of lead and cadmium. It is recommended to treat automobile workshop stormwater to prevent detrimental effects in aquatic systems. Future research is aimed at modeling such treatment using multivariate regression techniques is warranted.

Impacts of forest cover on surface runoff quality in small catchments

Forest cover influences not only the amount of surface runoff, but also its quality. The concentrations of chemicals in surface runoff differ between forest catchments and non-forest catchments (agricultural areas). The authors investigated the chemical compositions of surface runoff in two small neighboring catchments (forest, non-forest), by analyzing and summarizing data over a period of 26 years from 1986 to 2012. During this period, the stock and absorption area of forest stands increased, air quality improved, the agricultural landscape was partly regenerated, and global climate change became apparent. The authors observed differences in surface runoff between forest- and non-forest catchments. However, these differences were not mainly caused by the influence of the forest cover, but by changes in agricultural land management. Since 2006, agricultural land has been managed without the use of artificial fertilizers, which reduced the contents of pollutants in surface runoff from the non-forest catchment. The existence of the forest as such excludes or noticeably eliminates the use of fertilizers and chemical substances that affect water quality.

Review of tools for road runoff quality prediction and application to European roads

Pollutants discharged by roads may impact water bodies and soils. The best method to characterize road runoff is by monitoring, which is not always possible due to human or material constraints. Therefore, prediction tools can be a valuable method to manage road runoff discharges and protect the environment. The present work reviewed and evaluated international tools for road runoff quality prediction, in order to assess if an existing tool could be suitable for wide usage by stakeholders in Europe. Four tools from the USA and Europe were selected and tested at 22 road sites located in regions with annual precipitation values ranging from 500 to 1,000 mm, from 7 European countries. The results for the SMC of TSS, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd showed coefficients of determination (R2) from 0.0,004 to 0.2890 for the different pollutants and tools. It was concluded that none of the tools could predict the road runoff pollutant concentrations, except for the country where it has been calibrated. The findings support practitioners and researchers all over the world, pointing out directions, and gaps to be filled, regarding the management of road runoff discharges and use of prediction tools.

Stormwater management by low impact development practices

Due to the effects of climate change, urban and suburban expansion, and urban pollutants on runoff quality and quantity, applying contemporary stormwater management approaches in urban areas have become more critical. Low impact development (LID) practices are environmentally friendly stormwater management methods, seeking to replicate the natural hydrologic regimes in urban areas. They have become popular methods to reduce/prevent adverse stormwater runoff impacts in urban catchments, mainly by improving on-site infiltration or harvesting and reusing runoff. This study introduces LID practices and the importance of using them. Thereafter, the structure, benefits, and limitations of common LID practices are explained to help water resource engineers and urban planners have a better understanding of these practices, and choose the most suitable LID practice based on the needs of the project and features of the site.

Developing an evaluation tool for green roof typologies

Green roofs possess the potential to provide a plethora of benefits in the urban environment. The variability among the green roof typologies (intensive, extensive, and agriculture) leads to different benefits when one system is selected over another. By the collection and analyzing of metadata, an evaluation tool is developed to assist green roof designers to meet the goals of their specific project. Included criteria for evaluation are: water runoff quantity, water runoff quality, maintenance, amenity, and irrigation. The evaluation tool is designed to be compartmentalized, with each criteria treated independently, allowing further expansion, alteration, or refinement of the tool in the future.

Developing an evaluation tool for green roof typologies

Green roofs possess the potential to provide a plethora of benefits in the urban environment. The variability among the green roof typologies (intensive, extensive, and agriculture) leads to different benefits when one system is selected over another. By the collection and analyzing of metadata, an evaluation tool is developed to assist green roof designers to meet the goals of their specific project. Included criteria for evaluation are: water runoff quantity, water runoff quality, maintenance, amenity, and irrigation. The evaluation tool is designed to be compartmentalized, with each criteria treated independently, allowing further expansion, alteration, or refinement of the tool in the future.

Sistema Santa Fé auxilia na redução do escoamento superficial e melhoria da qualidade da água?

The cover crop on the soil surface is a fundamental practice for the establishment of soil and water conservation systems.The Santa Fé System consists of the inclusion of forage species in the grain production system, mainly by intercropping. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of cultivation of single maize and maize in consortium with U. brizantha cv. marandu, in runoff and qualityof runoffusing a rainfall simulator.The experiment was carried out at the School Farm of the IF Goiano Campus Iporá in a Quartzipsament, in a Brazilian Savanna region.The following land coverwere evaluated: uncoveredsoil, single hybrid corn and SantaFé System. For the determination of the runoff volume and the runoff quality, three tests were performed in each treatment, using a pendulum rainfall simulator built at the IF Goiano Campus Iporá. In each test, the total volume of runoffwas counted and every five minutes samples were collected to characterize the runoffquality, in which turbidity, pH and electrical conductivity were analyzed.Water losses were reduced by 82% and turbidity by 96% in the Santa Fé system, compared to uncoveredsoil.The Santa Fé System showed better performance with less runoff volume and better quality of runoff when turbidity was evaluated, which demonstrates its high potential in minimizing soil water erosion.