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Particle size distribution and pollutants in road-deposited sediments in different areas of Zhenjiang, China

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Abstract

An understanding of road-deposited sediment (RDS) characteristics on an impervious surface is essential to estimate pollutant washoff characteristics and to minimise the impacts of pollutants on the water environment. A total of 62 RDS samples were collected from four different land-use types (commercial, residential, intense traffic and riverside park) in Zhenjiang City, China. The samples were fractionated into seven grain-size classes and analysed for particle size distribution and concentrations of pollutants. The samples are found to consist predominantly of fine particles (60–80%, <250 μm). The maximum mean concentrations of zinc, lead and copper were 686.93, 589.19 and 158.16 mg/kg, respectively, with the highest metal concentrations found in samples from the intense traffic area. The maximum mean contents of organic matter (12.55%), nitrogen (6.31 mg/g) and phosphorus (5.15 mg/g) were found in samples from the commercial area. The concentrations of heavy metals were highest in the smallest particle size fraction analysed (63 μm). The organic matter and nitrogen content generally increased with decreasing particle sizes in the <500-μm particle size range. The results also revealed that most of the total nitrogen (TN) is attached to the finer sediments and that to effectively reduce TN loads in particulates, treatment facilities must be able to remove the finer particles (down to 125 μm for TN).

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30570053) and 863 (High-tech) program (No. 2003AA601100).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Academy of Environmental Science, Nanjing, 210098, People’s Republic of China

    Bo Bian

  2. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hohai University, 1 Xikang Road, Nanjing, 210098, People’s Republic of China

    Bo Bian & Wei Zhu

  3. State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Zhu

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  1. Bo Bian
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Correspondence to Bo Bian.

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Bian, B., Zhu, W. Particle size distribution and pollutants in road-deposited sediments in different areas of Zhenjiang, China. Environ Geochem Health 31, 511–520 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-008-9203-8

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