Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban stormwater in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

This paper reports the distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in wash-off in urban stormwater in Gold Coast, Australia. Runoff samples collected from residential, industrial and commercial sites were separated into a dissolved fraction (<0.45 microm), and three particulate fractions (0.45-75 microm, 75-150 microm and >150 microm). Patterns in the distribution of PAHs in the fractions were investigated using Principal Component Analysis. Regardless of the land use and particle size fraction characteristics, the presence of organic carbon plays a dominant role in the distribution of PAHs. The PAHs concentrations were also found to decrease with rainfall duration. Generally, the 1- and 2-year average recurrence interval rainfall events were associated with the majority of the PAHs and the wash-off was a source limiting process. In the context of stormwater quality mitigation, targeting the initial part of the rainfall event is the most effective treatment strategy. The implications of the study results for urban stormwater quality management are also discussed.

Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solution using plant residue materials as a biosorbent

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mainly formed from the incomplete combustion of fossil and biomass, which have been detected at elevated concentrations in municipal sewage and surface water [1,2]. PAHs, typical persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are among toxic pollutants of most concern due to their high bioaccumulation and adverse health effects such as mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic properties [1,3].…”

Understanding the uncertainty associated with particle-bound pollutant build-up and wash-off: A critical review

“…Therefore, it is expected that particles with different characteristics would exhibit different behaviour, which in turn creates process variability. For example, particles of different size ranges exhibit significantly different behaviour over the antecedent dry period and the duration of storm events, generating variations in particulate build-up and wash-off (Badin et al, 2008;Ball et al, 1998;Herngren et al, 2010;Mahbub et al, 2011a;Vaze and Chiew, 2002). In this review, the term 'behaviour of particles' refers to all mechanisms of particle movement which are influenced by natural and anthropogenic activities that take place over the period of time corresponding to build-up and wash-off.…”

Removing of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by constructed wetlands

“…Nažalost, povećan iznos duboke degradacije u regularne metabolite ćelije, ili u ugljendioksid i vodu (potpuna mineralizacija), moguć je jedino u slučaju linearne, ili nisko molekularne strukture kontaminanata. Proces kompartmentalizacije predstavlja konačno uklanjanje toksičnih delova iz metaboličkih tkiva u tačno definisanim pregradama u biljnoj ćeliji (vakuole, ili ćelijski zid) [4,6,21,22].…”