Influence of uncertainty in heavy metal build-up and washoff

What is it about?

The primary objective of the current study was to characterize the variability in particle-bound heavy metal build-up and wash-off as the basis to assess process uncertainty. The research investigation was based on understanding the build-up and wash-off of heavy metals commonly associated with road deposited particles <150 mm and >150 mm. The study outcomes presented in this paper are expected to contribute to the more efficient design of stormwater pollution mitigation strategies.

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Why is it important?

Heavy metals are common stormwater pollutants found in urban environments. The toxicity and the bioavailability of heavy metals discharged to urban waters exert significant impacts on ecosystem health. Consequently, urban water management recognises the importance of the mitigation of heavy metal pollution of stormwater as essential for safeguarding the urban aquatic environment. However, the effectiveness of treatment strategies for removing specific pollutants such as heavy metals can be unreliable. This is due to decision making in relation to stormwater pollution mitigation relying on incomplete knowledge about the processes which these pollutants undergo. Poor assessment of process uncertainty may significantly impact on the effectiveness of any stormwater pollution mitigation strategies implemented.

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