A Survey of Metal and Pesticide Levels in Stormwater Retention Pond Sediments in Coastal South Carolina

Abstract

During the summer of 2007, sediment samples were collected from 16 stormwater detention ponds and 2 reference ponds located in coastal South Carolina. The sediments were analyzed for more than 30 pesticides with current and historical uses, six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and seven metals. The results are compared with established screening assessment parameters, with copper found to be the contaminant of highest concern. Lead levels were found to correlate well with pond drainage area, while copper and zinc levels correlated with both pond drainage area and pond surface area. Chlorpyrifos levels were found to correlate with pond surface area. Our results also show that ponds draining commercial areas were likely to have higher levels of zinc and lead in the sediments compared to other pond classes.

Screening-level ecological and human health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in stormwater detention pond sediments of Coastal South Carolina, USA

“…We recently characterized the chemical contaminants in the sediments of a variety of suburban stormwater detention ponds in coastal South Carolina (USA) [5,15,16]. Our results demonstrate that the sediments of stormwater ponds surrounded by commercial development had significantly elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compared to those ponds surrounded by golf courses, low density residential development, and high density residential development.…”

“…Mean, TOC-normalized PAH 16 values ranged widely in stormwater pond sediments from 64 g/kg in Pond 100 to 26,288 g/kg in Pond 87 (Fig. 2).…”

“…The approach based upon consensus-based sediment quality criteria indicated that, in general, the sediment from reference ponds, golf course ponds and the majority of residential ponds did not exceed the TEC values for either PAH 16 or the individual PAH analytes (Fig. 3, Table 3).…”

“…All aliquots were transported to the laboratory on ice. Aliquots designated for pesticide and metals analyses, and their subsequent results, have been described elsewhere [16].…”

Mitigation of Wastewater-Borne Chorpyrifos in Constructed Wetlands: an Ecological Suitability Assessment by Macrophyte and Microbial Responses

“…Chlorpyrifos, a broad spectrum organophosphate insecticide, is applied on a large scale in croplands for the control of foliar insects [1][2][3]. Approximately 140,000 t of chlorpyrifos are applied annually on a global scale, accounting for 1/3 of total organophosphorus pesticide use.…”