Urban stormwater: An overlooked pathway of extensive mixed contaminants to surface and groundwaters in the United States
Environmental Science & Technology
By: Jason R. Masoner, Dana W. Kolpin, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Larry B. Barber, D.S. Burden, William T. Foreman, Kenneth J. Forshay, Edward Furlong, Justin F. Groves, Michelle L. Hladik, Matthew E. Hopton, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Steffanie H. Keefe, David Krabbenhoft, Richard Lowrance, Kristin Romanok, David L. Rus, William R. Selbig, Brad Williams, and Paul Bradley
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Abstract
Increasing global reliance on stormwater control measures to reduce discharge to surface water, increase groundwater recharge, and minimize contaminant delivery to receiving waterbodies necessitates improved understanding of stormwater-contaminant profiles. A multi-agency study of organic and inorganic chemicals in urban stormwater from 50 runoff events at 21 sites across the United States demonstrated that stormwater transports substantial mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bioactive contaminants (pesticides and pharmaceuticals), and other organic chemicals known or suspected to pose environmental health concern. Numerous organic-chemical detections per site (median number of chemicals detected = 73), individual concentrations exceeding 10,000 ng/L, and cumulative concentrations up to 263,000 ng/L suggested concern for potential environmental effects during runoff events. Organic concentrations, loads, and yields were positively correlated with impervious surfaces and highly developed urban catchments. Episodic storm-event organic concentrations and loads were comparable to and often exceeded those of daily wastewater plant discharges. Inorganic chemical concentrations were generally dilute in concentration and did not exceed chronic aquatic life criteria. Methylmercury was measured in 90% of samples with concentrations that ranged from 0.05 to 1.0 ng/L.
Suggested Citation
Masoner, J.R., Kolpin, D., Cozzarelli, I.M., Barber, L.B., Burden, D., Foreman, W.T., Forshay, K.J., Furlong, E., Groves, J.F., Hladik, M.L., Hopton, M.E., Jaeschke, J.B., Keefe, S.H., Krabbenhoft, D., Lowrance, R., Romanok, K., Rus, D.L., Selbig, W.R., Williams, B., Bradley, P., 2019, Urban stormwater: An overlooked pathway of extensive mixed contaminants to surface and groundwaters in the United States: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 53, no. 17, p. 10070-10081, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b02867.
ISSN: 1520-5851 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Urban stormwater: An overlooked pathway of extensive mixed contaminants to surface and groundwaters in the United States |
| Series title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/acs.est.9b02867 |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue | 17 |
| Publication Date | August 21, 2019 |
| Year Published | 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Environmental Science and Technology |
| Contributing office(s) | California Water Science Center, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Iowa Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Oklahoma Water Science Center, Wisconsin Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center, Illinois-Iowa-Missouri Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| First page | 10070 |
| Last page | 10081 |
| Country | United States |