Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2012
Abstract
Many storm water best management practice (BMP) devices function primarily by capturing particulate matter to take advantage of the well-documented association between storm water particles and pollutants. The hydrodynamic separation or settling methods used by most BMP devices are most effective at capturing medium to large particles; however, these may not be the most predominant particles associated with urban runoff. The present study examined particle size distribution in storm water runoff from an urban watershed in southern California and investigated the pollutant-particle associations of metals (Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn) and bacteria (enterococci and Escherichia coli). During small storm events (≤0.7cm rain), the highest concentration of pollutants were associated with a 35μm size particles during a 5-cm rain event. These results suggest that much of the contaminant load in storm water runoff will not be captured by the most commonly used BMP devices, because most of these devices (e.g., hydrodynamic separators) are unable to capture particles smaller than 75μm. © 2012 SETAC.
Recommended Citation
Brown, J.S., Stein, E.D., Ackerman, D., Dorsey, J.H., Lyon, J. and Carter, P.M. (2013), Metals and bacteria partitioning to various size particles in Ballona creek storm water runoff. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 32: 320-328.
