| Prior studies suggest that with increasing impermeable surfaces in developed areas, anthropogenic pollutant transfer via stormwater runoff will also be elevated and potentially impact water quality. This study was designed to sample the first flush stormwater runoff from two parking areas, including the parking area drainage ways and the area where these drainages divert into local creeks. This approach measured possible metal and PAH pollutants as the stormwater traverses mitigation structures (e.g. ditches, retention basins) unique to each of the sample areas. Runoff was collected from the Nacogdoches, TX Wal-Mart and Lowe's Home Improvement Center parking areas over a six month data collection period. Storms over 0.254 cm and at least 96 hr apart were analyzed. The new NalgeneRTM Stormwater Sampler was used to determine the feasibility to inexpensively monitor stormwater metal and PAH concentrations. The Lowe's site was approximately 4.8 ha size, with 3.9 ha of paved non-permeable concrete which utilizes a catch retention basin to channel a majority of the storm runoff eventually reaching Banita creek. The Wal-Mart site was approximately 6.1 ha in size, with 4.2 ha of paved non-permeable asphalt, and uses simple gravity flow extraction ditches to divert and transport stormwater to La Nana creek. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
