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Investigation on Water Quality Impacts of Bridge Stormwater Runoff from Scupper Drains on Receiving Waters
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2021-02-01
[PDF-7.06 MB]
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Edition:Final; Start September 2018 – End February 2021
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Abstract:The objectives of this research project were to investigate water quality impacts of bridge stormwater runoff from scupper drains on receiving waters, and to develop an efficient simulation tool so that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the resource agencies can accurately anticipate potential effects and better evaluate whether scupper drains would adversely affect waters and the protected species. This 29-month project is concerned with the investigation of potential impacts and accumulation of water quality parameters including heavy metals (lead, zinc and copper), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nutrients, oil and grease, solids, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity in bridge deck scupper drain runoff of six (6) bridge sites and the potential impact on sensitive major rivers in the State of Georgia. Four (4) of the sites are Southeast the State of Georgia, which are SR24, Rocky Ford (RF), US80 and SR297, crossing two (2) major rivers, which are Ogeechee River and Ohoopee River. The other two (2) sites are located North the State of Georgia, which are US255 and SR197, crossing two (2) other major rivers, which are Chattahoochee River and Soque River, respectively. The impact of the elevated parameters due to introduction from bridge deck scupper drains was observable on downstream water quality of all sites, except for lead, PAHs, phosphorous, and oil and grease that were only detected at the four (4) Southeast sites. It was observed that upon discharge of bridge deck scupper drain runoff, instant impairment of downstream water quality took place. Seasonal analyses showed variation in the parameters concentrations that was highly dependent on many factors, such as dry periods, rain intensity, traffic activity and stream discharge. Time intervals analyses showed that highest concentrations of contaminants were in the first 30-60 minutes’ samples, and that parameters concentration decrease with continuous rainfall due to dilution. The Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model (SELDM) was used for modeling potential projected impacts of some water quality parameters of concern on the downstream water quality at each Site location effectively.
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