Stormwater discharges are a major cause of sediment contamination in receiving waters. Because of this, there is a strong desire to reduce the magnitude and concentration of chemicals being discharged in stormwater runoff. Stormwater management systems can be helpful in reducing the contaminant load from waters that are treated within them. Historically, stormwater assessment has focused on contaminant loads to receiving waters as a function of particle settling. The focus of this work is to gain a better understanding on how different stormwater management facilities influence physical and chemical characteristics of loads to receiving waters as well as their implications for sediment recontamination.<br/>Several different stormwater management systems were sampled including a retention pond, bioswale, bio infiltration + media filter and hydro cyclone + cartridge filter. Automatic samplers were deployed in the inlet and outlet of each management system and stormwater samples were collected during rain events. Samples were then split, filtered, and analyzed for PAHs, heavy metals and PFAS. The contaminant concentrations were measured in dissolved phase as well as in various particle size fractions. The stormwater flow intensity, volume and rain characteristics were also measured or estimated. The magnitude of influent and effluent particle/contaminant concentration and loads were compared to determine the effectiveness of each system in removing contaminants depending upon the size fraction with which the contaminants were associated.<br/>The data analysis showed that most stormwater management systems are effective in removal of settleable solids while dissolved contaminants and contaminants associated with fine solids are generally not effectively removed in most systems. The performance of the various stormwater management systems was summarized and compared. Some systems designed to remove dissolved contaminants showed uneven performance. Results suggest this is likely a result of insufficient maintenance to keep removal performance at a high level.

Evaluation of effectiveness and performance of different stormwater management systems to limit sediment recontamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.