Exploratory study economical sorbents for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons removal from storm water runoff

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) release to stormwater through wear of asphalt and tire as well as deposition of vehicle exhaust are of great concern due to its acute toxic, carcinogenic and estrogenic effects on aquatic organisms. Stormwater contaminated with these organic pollutants pose a threat to receiving waters. Kerr Wood Leidal (KWL) is a leader in proving progressive solutions for stormwater management in BC, is seeking to improve the rain garden system to effectively capture these organic pollutants in the runoff. The proposed project will investigate various economical sorbents to remove these organic pollutants. Batch adsorption/desorption tests will be used to evaluate the efficacy of the sorbents and the leachability of the loaded sorbents. The results will assist the company in improving rain garden design and provide a new solution for KWL to control the major organic pollutants in stormwater runoff.

Faculty Supervisor:

Loretta Li

Student:

Monirehsadat Hedayati

Partner:

Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Natural resources

University:

Program: