Alternative sorption filter materials effectively remove non-particulate organic pollutants from stormwater
Journal article, 2020

Urban runoff contains a mixture of both particulate and non-particulate organic pollutants (OPs). Hydrophobic OPs such as higher petroleum hydrocarbons, phthalates, and polycyclic organic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are not exclusively bound to particles, but also present in runoff in colloidal and truly dissolved forms. These hydrophobic compounds can also form nano- and microsized emulsions that may carry pollutants in stormwater. Hence, it is of great importance to develop treatment technologies such as sorption filters that can remove non-particulate OPs from contaminated stormwater. A pilot plant using column bed-filters of sand as a pre-filter, in combination with granulated activated carbon, Sphagnum peat or Pinus sylvestris bark, was used to investigate the removal of non-particulate OPs from urban stormwater. Samples from the filter effluents were collected weekly; during or after rain events; and during stress tests when incoming water was spiked with contaminated sediment and petrol or diesel. All sorption filters showed efficient reduction of aliphatic diesel hydrocarbons C16–C35, benzene, and the PAHs phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene during most of the operation time, which was 18 months. During the stress test events, all sorption filters showed 100% reduction of PAH-16, petrol and diesel aliphatics C5–C35. All sorption filters released DOC and nanoparticles, which may explain some of the transportation of OPs through the filter beds. The recommendation is to use a combination of sand pre-filtration and all the studied sorption materials in stormwater filters in series, to achieve effective removal of different types of OPs. It is also important to improve the hydraulic conditions to obtain sufficient water flows through the filters.

Author

Anna Markiewicz

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Ann-Margret Hvitt Strömvall

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Karin Björklund

Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Science of the Total Environment

00489697 (ISSN) 18791026 (eISSN)

Vol. 730 139059

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Materials Engineering

Civil Engineering

Nano Technology

Environmental Sciences

DOI

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139059

More information

Latest update

1/3/2024 9