From streets to streams: Assessing the toxicity potential of urban sediment by particle size

摘要: Urban sediment can act as a transport mechanism for variety of pollutants to move towards receiving water body. The concentrations these oftentimes exceed levels that are toxic aquatic organisms. Many treatment structures designed capture coarse but do not work well similarly the fines. This study measured select trace metals and PAHs in both silt sand fractions urban from four sources: stormwater bed, suspended, street dirt, streambed. Concentrations were used assess potential based on published quality guidelines. All sources showed some level with bed highest followed by Both metal PAH concentration distributions highly correlated between sampling locations suggesting presence one or perhaps only few which remain persistent is transported stream. Comparison other forms combustion- vehicle-related revealed coal tar sealants have strongest correlation, fractions, at all sites. information important environmental managers when selecting most appropriate Best Management Practice (BMP) way mitigate pollution conveyed source sink.