A novel modelling framework to prioritize estimation of non-point source pollution parameters for quantifying pollutant origin and discharge in urban catchments

A novel modelling framework to prioritize estimation of non-point source pollution parameters for quantifying pollutant origin and discharge in urban catchments

Stormwater runoff in urban catchments contains heavy metals (zinc, copper, lead) and suspended solids (TSS) which can substantially degrade urban waterways. To identify these pollutant sources and quantify their loads the MEDUSA (Modelled Estimates of Discharges for Urban Stormwater Assessments) mod...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental management Vol. 167; pp. 75 - 84
Main Authors: Fraga, I., Charters, F.J., O'Sullivan, A.D., Cochrane, T.A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2016
Subjects:
Cities
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Environmental Pollution
Freshwater
Metals, Heavy - analysis
Models, Theoretical
Non-point-source pollution
Rain
Rainfall runoff
Sensitivity analysis
Stormwater modelling
Urban drainage
Water Movements
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Urban drainage
Sensitivity analysis
Rainfall runoff
Non-point-source pollution
Stormwater modelling
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Summary:Stormwater runoff in urban catchments contains heavy metals (zinc, copper, lead) and suspended solids (TSS) which can substantially degrade urban waterways. To identify these pollutant sources and quantify their loads the MEDUSA (Modelled Estimates of Discharges for Urban Stormwater Assessments) modelling framework was developed. The model quantifies pollutant build-up and wash-off from individual impervious roof, road and car park surfaces for individual rain events, incorporating differences in pollutant dynamics between surface types and rainfall characteristics. This requires delineating all impervious surfaces and their material types, the drainage network, rainfall characteristics and coefficients for the pollutant dynamics equations. An example application of the model to a small urban catchment demonstrates how the model can be used to identify the magnitude of pollutant loads, their spatial origin and the response of the catchment to changes in specific rainfall characteristics. A sensitivity analysis then identifies the key parameters influencing each pollutant load within the stormwater given the catchment characteristics, which allows development of a targeted calibration process that will enhance the certainty of the model outputs, while minimizing the data collection required for effective calibration. A detailed explanation of the modelling framework and pre-calibration sensitivity analysis is presented. •A model was developed to predict event based urban stormwater pollutants.•The model can be optimally calibrated using a sensitivity analysis procedure.•The model considers roof, car park, and road pollutant sources.•A sensitivity analysis was used to identify key processes in pollutant dynamics.•The model helps optimize non-point source pollution management decisions.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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content type line 23
ISSN:0301-4797
1095-8630
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.003