Phosphorus loads from different urban storm runoff sources in southern China: A case study in Wenzhou City

Dong Zhou, Chun Juan Bi, Zhen Lou Chen, Zhong Jie Yu, Jun Wang, Jing Chao Han

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Storm runoff from six types of underlying surface area during five rainfall events in two urban study areas of Wenzhou City, China was investigated to measure phosphorus (P) concentrations and discharge rates. The average event mean concentrations (EMCs) of total phosphorus (TP), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), and particulate phosphorus (PP) ranged from 0.02 to 2.5 mg · L-1, 0.01 to 0.48 mg · L-1, and 0.02 to 2.43 mg · L-1, respectively. PP was generally the dominant component of TP in storm runoff, while the major form of P varied over time, especially in roof runoff, where TDP made up the largest portion in the latter stages of runoff events. Both TP and PP concentrations were positively correlated with pH, total suspended solids (TSS), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)/chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations (p < 0.01), while TDP was positively correlated with BOD/COD only (p < 0.01). In addition, the EMCs of TP and PP were negatively correlated with maximum rainfall intensity (p < 0.05), while the EMCs of TDP positively correlated with the antecedent dry weather period (p < 0.05). The annual TP emission fluxes from the two study areas were 367.33 and 237.85 kg, respectively. Underlying surface type determined the TP and PP loadings in storm runoff, but regional environmental conditions affected the export of TDP more significantly. Our results indicate that the removal of particles from storm runoff could be an effective measure to attenuate P loadings to receiving water bodies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8227-8236
Number of pages10
JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
Volume20
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Composition
  • Emission flux
  • Event mean concentrations (EMCs)
  • Phosphorus
  • Storm runoff
  • Underlying surface

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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