Ecological risk assessment of chemical contaminants in stormwater sediments

Abstract

Contaminants bound to suspended solids transported by stormwater pose quantity and quality problems to the water ecosystem. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out an ecological risk assessment. Currently, Polish legal regulations do not require that stormwater sediments should be tested for hazardous substances prior to their removal. Ecological evaluation was performed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in the sediments from three selected stormwater sedimentation tanks located in urban catchment areas of Kielce city. The purpose this study was to analyze sediments for chemical contaminants and to demonstrate the relationship between contaminant levels and physical attributes of the catchment, including land use, drainage area, age of catchment and impervious surface in the watershed. Levels of PAHs and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) in stormwater sediments were then compared with Polish regulations and ecological screening values to determine their potential risk to environment were established. The results of the current study suggest that stormwater sediments are moderately contaminated with PAHs and heavy metals according to domestic regulations. They are, however, highly contaminated according to ecological benchmarks, which are exceeded several times.