Sediment Characteristics in Stormwater Pollution Control Ponds

Summary

Wetlands systems are often monitored to assess their performance during a flow through event. The spatial mapping of sediment deposition within pollution control ponds complements water quality data, providing information on the efficiency and sustainability of the system as a pollution abatement facility. The characterisation of the sediments and associated pollutants allows a better understanding of the role of sedimentation in the overall improvements to water quality. In stormwater systems, the efficiency with which pollutants such as TSS and pre-dominantly sediment-bound contaminants such as phosphorus, metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are removed is intrinsically related to the characteristics of the sediment inflow to the wetland. The sediment-bound pollutants are known to have a higher association with the finer range of sediment sizes and targeting the removal of the appropriate particle size fraction is necessary in designing stormwater pollutant abatement facilities. This paper presents the results for two studies of sediment characteristics: the first is at the Monash University Research Wetland in Australia and the second at the Braunebach Wetland pollution abatement facility in Germany. Sediment cores were taken at regular grid intervals to identify the physical characteristics of the accumulated sediments in these wetland systems. Defining the spatial sediment deposition patterns and the associated particle size distribution provided a greater understanding of each system’s water quality improvement function. This understanding of sediment characteristics has direct implications for the management of pollution control facilities and enables modifications to be suggested for future designs.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sara D Lloyd

BSc(Hons), MEngSc Sara is an Environmental Scientist currently undertaking a PhD in the Department of Civil Engineering at Monash University. The PhD research explores impediments and opportunities to sustainable stormwater management schemes in urban catchments. Her major interests are associated with integrated land and water management and more specifically with Water Sensitive Urban Design. Sara has worked extensively with stormwater management, constructed wetlands for managing stormwater, water quality monitoring and analysis of water quality data.

Tony H F Wong

BE(Hons), PhD (Monash), MIEAust, MASCE, CPEng Tony is Associate Professor and Head of Water Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at Monash University. He has over nineteen years experience in the field of hydrology and river hydraulics including rural and urban water quantity and quality modelling. On completion of his PhD, Tony worked as a specialist consultant in the field of water resources management, river and floodplain studies, environmental hydrology and urban stormwater quality management. Tony has particular research interest in integrated environmental management of water systems and he currently leads the Urban Stormwater Quality research program of the Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology and is the principal researcher in developing constructed wetland technology for stormwater pollution abatement.

Thomas Liebig

Thomas graduated in Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin and currently works as a research assistant at the University of Essen. Current project undertaken include the advanced wastewater treatment and the treatment of combined sewer overflow.

Michael Becker

Michael Becker is Head of the Stormwater and Infiltration Group at the Lipper River Catchment Management Branch of the Emscher River Authority in Dortmund, Germany. Michael graduated from the Technical College at Munich, majoring in Hydraulic Engineering and Wasterwater Treatment. Michael is responsible for the design of sewer sytems, stormwater and CSO treatment facilities, hydraulic and hydrological modeling and infiltration and reuse of rainwater in the Lipper River Catchment Management Branch.