The Impact of Temperature on the Removal of Inorganic Contaminants Typical of Urban Stormwater

Abstract

Appropriate management of urban stormwater requires consideration of both water quantity, resulting from flood control requirements, and water quality, being a consequence of contaminant distribution via runoff water. This article focuses on the impact of temperature on the efficiency of stormwater treatment processes in permeable infiltration systems. Studies of the removal capacity of activated carbon, diatomite, halloysite, limestone sand and zeolite for select heavy metals (Cu and Zn) and biogenes (NH4-N and PO4-P) were performed in batch conditions at 3, 6, 10, 15, 22, 30 and 40 °C at low initial concentrations, and maximum sorption capacities determined at 3, 10, 22 and 40 °C. A decrease in temperature to 3 °C reduced the maximum sorption capacities (Qmax) of the applied materials in the range of 10% for diatomite uptake of PO4-P, to 46% for halloysite uptake of Cu. Only the value of Qmax for halloysite, limestone sand and diatomite for NH4-N uptake decreased slightly with temperature increase. A positive correlation was also observed for the equilibrium sorption (Qe) of Cu and Zn for analyses performed at low concentrations (with the exception of Zn sorption on limestone sand). In turn, for biogenes a rising trend was observed only in the range of 3 °C to 22 °C, whereas further temperature increase caused a decrease of Qe. Temperature had the largest influence on the removal of copper and the smallest on the removal of phosphates. It was also observed that the impact of temperature on the process of phosphate removal on all materials and ammonium ions on all materials, with the exception of zeolite, was negligible.

Treatment Assessment of Road Runoff Water in Zones filled with ZVI, Activated Carbon and Mineral Materials

“…The highest efficiency, similar to the efficiency of filter beds proposed by Hatt et al [33] and Fuerhacker et al [6], was noted for a mixture composed of zero valent iron, activated carbon and zeolite (S2) and not for a mixture containing limestone (S3). This is consistent with the results presented by Fronczyk and Mumford [47], which, in laboratory conditions, showed a much greater efficiency of ammonium ion removal by zeolite than limestone. Moreover, silica spongolite and limestone, materials that distinguish systems 1 and 3, are both carbonate in character.…”

“…Each of the materials constituted 33% of the mixture; therefore, the percentage of ZVI in the mixture did not exceed the threshold value of 52% proposed by Care et al [48]. Additionally, both silica spongolite and limestone showed similarity in terms of mineral composition (calcite accompanied by a small amounts of quartz) [46,47], but silica spongolite is about 20 times cheaper than limestone. When deciding on these two materials, the writers wanted to investigate whether the effectiveness of contaminants removal of the cheaper material is comparable to that of limestone.…”

“…These relationships were valid in the temperature range from 5.3 to 23.5 • C, because such values were measured for effluent water from pilot-scale treatment zones. Laboratory studies conducted by Fronczyk and Mumford [47] showed that the removal of Cu and Zn on activated carbon, zeolite and limestone, as well as NH 4 removal on zeolite increased with rising temperature. However, the maximum sorption capacity of activated carbon and limestone relative to ammonium ions slightly changed with increasing temperature.…”

“…The authors' previous laboratory studies (batch and column tests) have shown the possibility of removing heavy metals using ZVI and zeolite [44,45], with the multilayered treatment zone consisting of activated carbon, silica spongolite and zeolite [46]. The studies of Fronczyk and Mumford [47] have shown the possibility of removing ammonium ions and phosphates on zeolite and limestone, respectively. Taking into account the complex composition of runoff water from roads and the selectivity of materials in relation to individual types of contaminants, the components of the mixtures were selected to remove heavy metals (silica spongolite, limestone, zeolite, activated carbon), organic compounds (activated carbon), ammonium ions (zeolite) and nitrates (ZVI).…”

Reduction in Nitrogen Exports from Stormflow after Conversion of a Dry Detention Basin to a Stormwater Wetland

“…As the global population increases, so too will the coverage of impervious surface [3]. Runoff can cause flooding to downstream properties and transport various contaminants that accumulate on surfaces between storms, including animal waste and fertilizers, which are enriched with nitrogen [4][5][6]. Excess nitrogen loading has resulted in overstimulation of algal growth, eutrophication and impairment of surface waters in many regions around the world [7].…”