Role of colloids in heavy metal transfer through a retention-infiltration basin

Abstract

Runoff waters from a main bridge near Nantes (France), surface waters and pore waters in the infiltration basin collecting runoff were analysed after filtration and ultrafiltration to investigate the role of colloids in the transfer of trace metals (Zn, Cu and Pb) from the road to the groundwater. The role of the basin in mitigation of the variations of physico-chemical parameters and chemical elements concentrations was confirmed. An increase of mobile colloidal phase by comparison with runoff and high concentrations of trace metals were observed in pore waters of the sediment. Up to 100% of Pb and 60% of Cu and Zn may be associated to compounds having a molecular weight above 5 kDaltons. Principal component analysis outlined the variability of the influence of the physico-chemical parameters on trace metals concentrations for the different waters. Speciation calculations pointed out the potential precipitation of Fe and Al oxyhydroxides in all kind of waters.