Colloidal contaminants in urban runoff
- Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)
Rivers typically account for the largest single sediment input to lacustrine and estuarine systems. Pesticides, metals, chlorinated hydrocarbons and other contaminants sorbed to particles carried by rivers may be transported to the sediments of lakes and estuaries. Urban runoff is often an important non-point source of particles to surface waters. For example, under average conditions, over 40% of the suspended solids entering Galveston Bay are estimated to originate from high density urban and residential non-point sources. While many studies have been done on urban runoff, in only a few instances has the role of specific particle fractions as transport vectors for pollutants in urban runoff been considered. In this paper, we summarize field data on particle size distributions and contaminant concentrations in urban runoff and streams obtained over a 2-year period. Much of the previous research done in this area has concentrated on particles, larger than 10 {mu}m in diameter. While larger particles may represent a significant fraction of suspended materials, we show that the majority of the particles and particle surface area in runoff from one urban center resides within the smaller size fractions. Inextricably linked to the problem of pollutant transport is the question of whether or not there is significant aggregation of particles in the runoff stream. The degree of aggregation that occurs in the runoff stream will directly affect the fate and transport of the particles, and thus the pollutants sorbed to them. For example, if sub-micron particles aggregate significantly in the runoff stream, particle settling rates will be accelerated in lakes and estuaries, as will the transport of particles and associated contaminants to the sediments.
- OSTI ID:
- 111507
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9504110-; TRN: 95:005009-0050
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 21. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) annual Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory research symposium, Cincinnati, OH (United States), 4-6 Apr 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of 21st Annual RREL research symposium: Abstract proceedings; PB: 398 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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