The fate of the aqueous phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fraction in a detention pond system

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 159; no. 10; pp. 2882 - 2890
• Main Authors: Neary, Kevin, Boving, Thomas B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Best management practices; Constraining; Detention; Dissolution; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Effluents; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Influents; Models, Chemical; molecular weight; Natural water pollution; Nonpoint source pollution; Organic chemicals; PAH; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Polyallylamine hydrochloride; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - chemistry; Ponds; Ponds - chemistry; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Runoff; sediments; storms; Stormwater management; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water treatment and pollution; Rhode Island; United States; North America; America; Organic chemicals; Nonpoint source pollution; Runoff; PAH; Best management practices; Stormwater management; Sewerage; Hydrocarbon; Urban area; Runoff water; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Mutagen; Persistent organic pollutant; Carcinogen; Diffuse source; Impoundment; Pollution source; Rain water; Water pollution; Pollution abatement; Code of practice; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.04.046

The concentration of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in influent, effluent, and within a detention pond system was measured. The "soluble fraction" was operationally defined as the PAHs in solution that passed through a 1.2 μm filter. The results show that influent and effluent PAH concentrations were similar, indicating that dissolved PAH moved essentially unhindered through the detention pond system. In general, low molecular weight PAH were present at the highest concentrations and the highest PAH concentrations were measured in Summer. Also, year-to-year variations in PAH concentration were observed. At the end of sufficiently large storms, the pond was comparably unpolluted. During dry periods, the dissolved PAH concentration rose, possibly due to evapoconcentration and by partitioning of PAH from trapped contaminated sediment in the detention pond system. This study provides evidence that aqueous-phase PAH concentrations in runoff water were relatively unaffected by the passage through a conventional detention pond system. ► We measured concentration of dissolved PAH in detention pond influent and effluent. ► Dissolved PAH moved essentially unhindered through the detention pond system. ► In general, low molecular weight PAH were present at the highest concentrations. Aqueous-phase PAH concentrations in stormwater are relatively unaffected by treatment in a conventional detention pond system.