Simulation of the transport of suspended particles and dissolved pollutants by runoff on impervious surfaces: a contribution to urban sanitation

ABSTRACT

One of the impacts of urbanization on the environment is the changes in the rainfall-runoff process, causing changes in water resources quality. The objective of this project was to simulate the transport of suspended particles and pollutants dissolved on runoff, an impermeable surface at laboratory scale. The experimental model consisted on a simulator for the application of artificial rainfall on an impermeable surface with 8,40 m², in which sodium chloride and fine sand were distributed in four defined regions, simulating sources of diffuse pollution. The results showed differences between peak transport times of dissolved and suspended pollutants, depending on their position. The first-flush effect was observed for the dissolved pollutants independently of the source position, whereas for the pollutants transported in suspension the same effect was only found when the source was closer to the outlet of the impervious surface.

Keywords:
artificial rainfall; rainfall-runoff process; particle transport; pollutant transport; physical modelling