Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Phosphorus loads from different urban storm runoff sources in southern China: a case study in Wenzhou City

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Storm runoff from six types of underlying surface area during five rainfall events in two urban study areas of Wenzhou City, China was investigated to measure phosphorus (P) concentrations and discharge rates. The average event mean concentrations (EMCs) of total phosphorus (TP), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), and particulate phosphorus (PP) ranged from 0.02 to 2.5 mg · L−1, 0.01 to 0.48 mg · L−1, and 0.02 to 2.43 mg · L−1, respectively. PP was generally the dominant component of TP in storm runoff, while the major form of P varied over time, especially in roof runoff, where TDP made up the largest portion in the latter stages of runoff events. Both TP and PP concentrations were positively correlated with pH, total suspended solids (TSS), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)/chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations (p < 0.01), while TDP was positively correlated with BOD/COD only (p < 0.01). In addition, the EMCs of TP and PP were negatively correlated with maximum rainfall intensity (p < 0.05), while the EMCs of TDP positively correlated with the antecedent dry weather period (p < 0.05). The annual TP emission fluxes from the two study areas were 367.33 and 237.85 kg, respectively. Underlying surface type determined the TP and PP loadings in storm runoff, but regional environmental conditions affected the export of TDP more significantly. Our results indicate that the removal of particles from storm runoff could be an effective measure to attenuate P loadings to receiving water bodies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Abu-Zreig M, Rudra RP, Whiteley HR, Lalonde MN, Kaushik NK (2003) Phosphorus removal in vegetated filter strips. J Environ Qual 32:613–619

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • APHA (American Public Health Association) (1999) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 20th edn. APHA, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Bach PM, McCarthy DT, Deletic A (2010) The development of a novel approach for assessment of the first flush in urban stormwater discharges. Water Sci Technol 61:2681–2688

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baker MJ, Blowes DW, Ptacek CJ (1998) Laboratory development of permeable reactive mixtures for the removal of phosphorus from onsite wastewater disposal systems. Environ Sci Technol 32:2308–2316

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ballo S, Liu M, Hou LJ, Chang J (2009) Pollutants in stormwater runoff in Shanghai (China): implications for management of urban runoff pollution. Prog Nat Sci 19:873–880

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borst M, Selvakumar A (2003) Particle-associated microorganisms in stormwater runoff. Water Res 37:215–223

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brezonik PL, Stadelmanm TH (2002) Analysis and predictive models of storm water runoff volumes, loads, and pollution concentration from watersheds in the Twins Cities metropolitan area, Minnesota, USA. Water Res 36:1743–1757

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang M, Crowley CM (1993) Preliminary observations on water quality of storm runoff from four selected residential roofs. Water Resour Bull 29:777–783

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Charbeneau RJ, Barretti M (1998) Evaluation of methods for estimating stormwater pollutant loads. Water Environ Res 70:1295–1302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conley DJ, Paerl HW, Howarth RW, Boesch DF, Seitzinger SP, Havens KE, Lancelot C, Linkens GE (2009) Controlling eutrophication: nitrogen and phosphorus. Science 323:1014–1015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ebina J, Tsutsui T, Shirai T (1983) Simultaneous determination of total nitrogen and phosphorus in water using peroxodisulfate oxidation. Water Res 17:1721–1726

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gasperi J, Gromaire MC, Kafi M, Moilleron R, Chebbo G (2010) Contributions of wastewater, runoff and sewer deposit erosion to wet weather pollutant loads in combined sewer systems. Water Res 44:5875–5886

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert JK, Clausen JC (2006) Stormwater runoff quality and quantity from asphalt, paver, and crushed stone driveways in Connecticut. Water Res 40:826–832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gromaire-Mertz MC, Chebbo G, Saad M (1998) Origins and characteristics of urban wet weather pollution in combined sewer systems: the experimental urban catchment “Le Marais” in Paris. Water Sci Technol 37:35–43

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gromaire-Mertz MC, Garnaud S, Gonzalez A, Chebbo G (1999) Characterisation of urban runoff pollution in Paris. Water Sci Technol 39:1–8

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gromaire-Mertz MC, Garnaud S, Saad M, Chebbo G (2001) Contribution of different sources to the pollution of wet weather flows in combined sewers. Water Res 35:521–533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanzlik JE, Munster CL, McFarland A, Vietor DM, White RH (2004) GIS analysis to identify turfgrass sod production sites for phosphorus removal. Trans ASAE 47:453–461

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogan DM, Walbridge MR (2007) Best management practices for nutrient and sediment retention in urban stormwater runoff. J Environ Qual 36:386–395

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iyamuremye F, Dick RP, Baham J (1996) Organic amendments and phosphorus dynamics: I. Phosphorus chemistry and sorption. Soil Sci 161:426–435

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim G, Choi E, Lee D (2005) Diffuse and point pollution impacts on the pathogen indicator level in the Geum River, Korea. Sci Total Environ 350:94–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim G, Yur J, Kim J (2007) Diffuse pollution loading from urban stormwater runoff in Daejeon city, Korea. J Environ Manage 85:9–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kus B, Kandasamy J, Vigneswaran S, Shon HK (2010) Analysis of first flush to improve the water quality in rainwater tanks. Water Sci Technol 61:421–428

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lai DYF, Lam KC (2009) Phosphorus sorption by sediments in a subtropical constructed wetland receiving stormwater runoff. Ecol Eng 35:735–743

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee JH, Bang KW (2000) Characterization of urban stormwater runoff. Water Res 34:1773–1780

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee D, Dillaha TA, Sherrard JH (1989) Modeling phosphorus transport in grass buffer strips. J Environ Eng 115:409–427

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li LQ, Yin CQ, He QC, Kong LL (2007) First flush of storm runoff pollution from an urban catchment in China. J Environ Sci 19:295–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liikanen A, Puustinen M, Koskiaho J, Väisänen T, Martikainen P, Hartikainen H (2004) Phosphorus removal in a wetland constructed on former arable land. J Environ Qual 33:1124–1132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell RW, Sharpley AN (2001) Approximating phosphorus release from soils to surface runoff and subsurface drainage. J Environ Qual 30:508–520

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michelbach S (1995) Origin, resuspension and settling characteristics of solids transported in combined sewage. Water Sci Technol 31:69–76

    Google Scholar 

  • MOHURD (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China) (2003) Code for design of building water supply and drainage (GB 50015-2003). MOHURD, Beijing

  • Novotny V, Olem H (1994) Water quality prevention, identification, and management of diffuse pollution. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Pazwash H, Boswell ST (1997) Management of runoff conservation and reuse. In: Proceedings of the 24th annual water resource planning and management conference. ASCE, Houston, TX, pp. 784–789

  • Pontier H, Williams JB, May E (2004) Progressive changes in water and sediment quality in a wetland system for control of highway runoff. Sci Total Environ 319:215–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riley D, Barber SA (1971) Effect of ammonium and nitrate fertilization on phosphorus uptake as related to root-induced pH changes at the root–soil interface. Soil Sci Soc Am J 35:301–306

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts AD, Prince SD, Jantz CA, Goetz SJ (2009) Effects of projected future urban land cover on nitrogen and phosphorus runoff to Chesapeake Bay. Ecol Eng 35:1758–1772

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sansalone JJ, Buchberger SG (1997) Partitioning and first flush of metals in urban roadway storm water. J Environ Eng 123:134–143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith VH, Tilman GD, Nekola JC (1999) Eutrophication: impacts of excess nutrient inputs on freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. Environ Pollut 100:179–196

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor GD, Fletcher TD, Wong THF, Breen PF, Duncan HP (2005) Nitrogen composition in urban runoff—implications for stormwater management. Water Res 39:1982–1989

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • US EPA (1995) National water quality inventory. Report to Congress Executive Summary. USEPA, Washington, DC

  • Wei QS, Zhu GF, Wu P, Cui L, Zhang KS, Zhou JJ, Zhang WR (2010) Distributions of typical contaminant species in urban short-term storm runoff and their fates during rain events: a case of Xiamen City. J Environ Sci 22:533–539

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wetzel RG (2001) Limnology, lake and river ecosystems. Academic Press, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang JJ (2011) Characteristics and loading estimates of heavy metals in urban rainfall runoff. Dissertation, East China Normal University (in Chinese)

  • Zhao JW, Shan BQ, Yin CQ (2007) Pollutant loads of surface runoff in Wuhan City Zoo, an urban tourist area. J Environ Sci 19:464–468

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41271472), the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (12ZR1409000), the Key social development Project of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (12231201900), and the National Key Water Special Project of China (2009ZX07317-006).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Resources and Environmental Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China

    Dong Zhou & Zhen-Lou Chen

  2. Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science of the Ministry of Education, School of Resources and Environmental Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China

    Chun-Juan Bi, Jun Wang & Jing-Chao Han

  3. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Zhong-Jie Yu

Authors
  1. Dong Zhou
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chun-Juan Bi
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhen-Lou Chen
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhong-Jie Yu
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jun Wang
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jing-Chao Han
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chun-Juan Bi.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Hailong Wang

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhou, D., Bi, CJ., Chen, ZL. et al. Phosphorus loads from different urban storm runoff sources in southern China: a case study in Wenzhou City. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 8227–8236 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1800-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1800-0

Keywords