Abstract
Runoff events were analysed in separated sewer systems in the town of Luxembourg. The relationships between Event Mean Concentrations of different pollutants and runoff patterns were evaluated. In addition, the inter-storm and intra-storm variability of the material transport were determined. Primarily, the variations in pollutant concentrations and loads are determined by the antecedent weather conditions. The presence of illicit sanitary inputs in one of the sewers produced a significant first flush effect as well as higher Event Mean Concentrations for pollutants. Furthermore, near the town of Trier 40 storms were analyzed in a small natural basin mainly influenced by runoff from a separated sewer system. Natural and artificial storm events were investigated in order to estimate the relationship between the pollutant sources in the channel and from the separated sewer system. Just like in the canalization of Luxembourg City the pollutant dynamics during natural storms are strongly influenced by pre-event hydrological conditions. The artificial storms behave differently. Despite little pre-rain, the maximum concentrations of toxic substances are comparatively low. A resuspension of sediment only occurs in the natural channel system, without the introduction of fines from the sewer system.
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Acknowledgement
This project was conducted in collaboration with the “Administration Communale de la ville de Luxemburg,” which partly supported this study. The German Research Foundation granted the funding of another part.
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Krein, A., Salvia-Castellvi, M., Iffly, J.F. et al. The Importance of Precedent Hydro-climatological Conditions for the Mass Transfer of Pollutants in Separated Sewer Systems and Corresponding Tributaries During Storm Events. Water Air Soil Pollut 182, 357–368 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-007-9347-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-007-9347-7