Toxicity assessment of urban stormwater runoff

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:85944

Jacher, K A; Burton, Jr, G A ^[1]

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1. Wright State Univ., Dayton, OH (United States)

Organic compounds such as petroleum derivatives, fuels, greases, and oil are considered major pollutants of nonpoint source runoff. Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been shown to have carcinogenic effects. A compounding problem of PAH`s in runoff is that they exhibit a photoinduced toxicity to aquatic organisms. Stormwater runoff from urban areas was assessed using Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia magna, Pimephales promelas and Hyalella azteca laboratory test methods. Photoreactive responses of runoff water from parking lots was measured in the laboratory and field validated using Hyalella azteca in situ assessment. Organism exposure to urban runoff showed significantly depressed survival compared to laboratory and base flow conditions. Photoreactive responses show a 50% increase in toxicity during laboratory and in situ exposures. Due to the widespread loadings of PAHs and increased solar UV levels due to the depletion of the ozone layer, potential exists for impacts on aquatic ecosystems and must be incorporated into nonpoint source pollution assessments.

• OSTI ID: 85944
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410273--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
CRUSTACEANS
DAPHNIA
FATHEAD MINNOW
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
RUNOFF
SENSITIVITY
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
URBAN AREAS